To receive daily emails from Breaking Christian News to your inbox CLICK HERE


SHARE THIS ARTICLE Printer friendly version of this page

Church Growth Continues to Explode in China Despite Rampant Government Opposition

Leah Marieann Klett : Jan 27, 2015  The Gospel Herald

"By 2030, China's total Christian population, including Catholics, is predicted to exceed 246 million, placing it above Mexico, Brazil and the United States as the largest Christian congregation in the world." -Reuters

(China)—While Christianity continues to weaken in many parts of the world, China's Christian churches are experiencing significant growth despite government restrictions. (Photo via Gospel Herald)

"Some Sundays we are full. We also have 1,600 volunteers," said Zhou Lianmei, the pastor's wife of the Chongyi Church, one of the biggest mega-churches in the country. The convention-building sized church holds up to 5,000 worshipers and there are several services available every Sunday.

"I come because I found a love here that isn't dependent on a person. It is like a river that doesn't go away," stated a young businesswoman from Hangzhou, the city where Chongyi Church is located.

The city of Wenzhou, often referred to as "China's Jerusalem," is home to over 1 million Protestants out of a population of 9 million. Experts believe that by 2030, China will hold the most Christians on the planet based on current growth rates.

"Chinese Christians know the Bible better than some Southern Baptists. That's not a small thing," Philip Wickeri, a Christian leader in Hong Kong, told the Business Insider.

For many years, Christianity was seen as a religion for elderly peasant women. However, that view has significantly changed: many of the newly baptized Chinese Christians are young, well-educated and earn a comfortable living.

Last year, half a million Christians were baptized in the country, according to China's chief of religious affairs. Texas-based Baylor University and Peking University conducted a joint study that estimated 70 million Christians over 16 years of age reside in China.

Some Christians are even incorporating Biblical principles into their businesses. One company in China asks members to pledge a "Ten Commandments" of good behavior that includes "no bribing, no taking mistresses, no avoiding taxes, and no mistreating employees."

Although China's Christian population is growing, the government continues to tighten its hold on the faith. Over the past year, the country's Communist police have bulldozed church buildings, demolished crosses, and destroyed religious artifacts.

One church offered to pay a series of fines in the belief that the attacks were about money. "We were fooled at first," says one local pastor. "Then we discovered they didn't care about fines. They went after our crosses and gave the impression they enjoyed it." The aim was to humiliate and shame, he believes.

Click here to read more.







SHARE THIS ARTICLE Printer friendly version of this page

To receive daily emails from Breaking Christian News to your inbox CLICK HERE

Other Recent Articles from Breaking Christian News

'God Is Good': 11-Month-Old Baby Found in Miraculous Rescue After Being Buried Alive

Cissie Graham Lynch Questioned on LGBT Stance, Vows to Protect All Faiths if Confirmed to Trump Admin. Post

No Backing Down: Trump Sends DOJ After Democrat Threat Letters

'Hats Off To ... Nayib Bukele': Haiti's PM Praises Salvadoran President after Deploying Troops to Rescue Kidnapped Soldiers, Decimating Malicious Gang's HQ

GOP Scores a Victory for Veterans, Passing a Sweeping Veterans Benefits Bill Despite Disgruntled Democrats

FAA Lifts Nationwide Ground Stop of Planes at US Airports, Major Delays to Continue

Jim Caviezel Says Muslims Want to Kill Him: 'I Have a Fatwa on Me'; Warns against Sharia Law (Video)

Noah's Ark Search: Researchers Share Images of Charred Wood Found 30 Feet Underground (Video)

Nvidia Ousts Jensen Huang from CEO Role, CFO Colette Kress Named Interim Boss

Sen. Rand Paul: Texas Governor-Elect's 1st Act Straight Out of Venezuelan Playbook

House Freedom Caucus Demands Long-Promised Conservative Reforms before Dems Bring Chaos

Ohio Rep. Jim Jordan Wins House GOP Leadership Vote

Under Threat: Iran's Islamic Regime Targets the Architect of Trump's Economic War against Them

US Supreme Court Slaps Down Ruling in Transgender Inmate Case

Prayer Alert: Death Toll at 8, 17 Injured in NYC Building Collapse (Videos)

Veterans Day 2026: Here's Every Place Offering Freebies, Discounts to Our Vets

A Proclamation of Gratitude and Progress for America's Veterans

Ancient Evidence Suggests Roman Emperor Sought to Recognize Jesus as God

Charlie Kirk's Family 'Deeply' Disappointed by Tyler Robinson's Trial Delay

Texas Democrats Launch MASSIVE Assault on Second Amendment Just Days after Election Sweep



Search the Articles Archives

Keyword:  
Author:  
Words Posted On:  
Day Month Year



Subscribe to
Breaking Christian News


Follow BCN on Twitter
Are You Praying for Our Government Leaders?
BCN Staff

Steve Shultz
Steve Shultz, Managing Editor
Founder and Owner


Aimee Herd
Aimee Herd, Editor


BCN Plus
Are You Praying for President Trump?
 
 

All articles on this site and emails from BCN are copyrighted property of Breaking Christian News. Permission is given to link to, or share a BCN story if proper attribution is given to both the original writer and summarizer of the story. Breaking Christian News 2005-2019. All Rights Reserved.


Breaking Christian News is a division of Elijah List Publications, Inc. All Rights Reserved


Disclaimer: Articles and links, as well as the source articles linked to; do not necessarily reflect the opinion of Breaking Christian News.

editor@breakingchristiannews.com