This article has been corrected from its broadcast to say that, to the Chinese Communist Party, underground Christian churches are more like illegal religious venues or activities, not “cults” per se.

 

China (MNN) — It’s no secret that believers in China endure pressure under the Chinese Communist Party. It’s a multi-front struggle that needs the prayer support of Christians around the world.

Floyd Brobbel with Voice of the Martyrs Canada explains that the symbol of the cross, family discipleship, and church leaders are under fire in China. 

“The Communist government has waged war on the cross,” Brobbel says. “We’ve heard that before, where crosses are being dismantled.” A 2020 campaign saw dozens of crosses removed from public view.

girl, China, unsplash

(Photo courtesy of Jerry Wang via Unsplash)

The next generation of Christians is also being targeted. The CCP is “waging war on the children’s minds. They’re not allowed to be taught even in Sunday school or Bible lessons,” Brobbel says. (More on regulations for children here.)

Instead of religious education, children have other goals set before them. This summer, a state-sponsored campaign taught kids in Shanghai to resist cults — any religious group not sanctioned by the state.

Underground churches count as “illegal religious groups.” One such church experienced a sharp crackdown this October: Beijing Zion Church. The congregation had lost its building due to state-applied pressures in 2018, but it had since multiplied. In November, eighteen leaders from the church were formally arrested after being detained in October. 

Surveillance by citizens is another strategy the CCP has employed over the years.

“It does hearken back to the days of the Mao regime, where they really clamped down on the churches,” Brobbel says. “But under such severe persecution, the church began to grow.” 

Find your place in the story through prayer. Pray that Chinese believers “continue to present the gospel, preach truth and live biblically and unapologetically — but live wisely as well,” says Brobbel. “[Pray that they] find moments and opportunities where they can advance the gospel and reach out to those that really need to hear.”

Keep watching religious freedom issues in China, so that you can pray in an informed manner. Brobbel adds, “Also then, when we have [an] opportunity to raise a voice to our government, we can do so with a clear understanding of what’s happening.”

 

Header photo courtesy of Zhang Kaiyv/Unsplash.