Today in China ...
Today the constitution of the People’s Republic of China makes
it possible for congregations to legally proclaim the Gospel, worship
formally, train church workers, and produce and distribute Christian
materials within the churches. The National Committee of Three-Self
Patriotic Movement (TSPM) of the Protestant Churches in China and
China Christian Council (CCC) provide materials and encouragement
to all churches and meeting points.
Since 1990, at the invitation of the CCC, Lutheran Hour Ministries
(LHM) has worked intensively with the CCC to communicate the Gospel
to China’s 1.3 billion. The excellent working relationship
between LHM and the CCC has generated a number of successful programs:
- Audio cassette ministry – Nearly 1.5 million audio
cassettes have been produced and distributed, including Christian
sermons, a series based on the Apostles’ Creed, the Psalms,
selected Bible stories, and more.
- ‘Hymnmasters’ – This unique computerized
music player contains about 500 hymn melodies to aide congregations
without other musical instruments.
- Ai-Ji Printing Press – Supported by Lutheran Hour
Ministries, this Christian press is capable of printing 3 million
Christ-centered books and devotional guides a year.
- Video CDs – To proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ
with this popular media, Praising God by Chinese Christians
VCD was created in 2001. A variety of LHM’s holiday
specials are also available.
- Lay ministry training materials – In cooperation
with YILIN, a secular press, LHM and CCC have published a variety
books in China such as The Book of Concord and The Theology
of Martin Luther by Paul Althaus, among other Lutheran classics.
The Country ...
China’s 1.3 billion people make up over one-fifth of the world’s
population, and the country’s contributions to humanity have
been many, such as silk, printing paper, the compass, tea, and porcelain.
The People ...
Population growth has declined to below two percent per year. More
than two-thirds of China’s population lives in rural areas.
However, China has large cities with more than 10 million people
such as Beijing (its capital) and Shanghai. There are also many
cities with multimillion population such as Guangzhou, Nanjing,
and Hong Kong.
Religion in China ...
In 1949, China had about more than three million Roman Catholics,
750,000 Protestants, and 300,000 Eastern Orthodox. Most Chinese
were folk-religionists, borrowing elements from Buddhism, Confucianism,
or Taoism.
After 1949, atheistic Communism grew. During the Cultural Revolution,
all churches were closed, Bibles and hymnals were seized, and believers
were kept from public worship. The Church went underground. But
by the mid-1970s, Christians again began to profess their faith.
Today the Church is growing, representing more than 18 million
Christians in about 20,000 registered churches and 30,000 local
meeting points. The Three-Self Patriotic Movement and China Christian
Council set the guiding principle of the Christian churches. Now,
more than ever, the Chinese consider Christianity to be an indigenous
religion rather than a foreign religion.
Your Opportunity to Serve ...
Through your support, the ministry of China can continue to reach
out to the lost souls around the world. Learn more about the ministry
in China by participating in the China tour. You can also become
a sponsor or increase your level of giving to help us continue our
mission of Bringing Christ to the Nations—and the Nations
to the Church. To learn more, call 1-800-944-3450 x4275 or visit
www.lhmint.org today.
Experience the places.
See the faces.
Make your reservation today – just call 1-800-944-3450 x4275
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