Story number 5 for 3 Apr 2003

(China)–And, the hope of the Gospel continues spreading like wildfire through China’s countryside. So much so, the government is taking notice. China Partner’s Erik Burklin. “A government official, (he works with religious affairs), even told me that out of the five main religions that are officially recognized by the government in Jiangxi province, Christianity has the most followers, and this more than Buddhists have.” As a result of church growth, Burklin says an overwhelming need for trained Christian leaders presents itself. “We are currently heavily involved with a Bible school construction project in Nanchang. This provincial Bible school has over 40 students who are currently attending, and when the school is completed, it will be able to house 160 students. The first phase of the construction project is due to be completed before the start of the fall semester this September.”