China (MNN) — China’s government has been waging war against cults for two decades. They’re trying to draw a clear line around religious activity that the government deems unacceptable. The challenge is, who gets to define what a cult is?
As more “anti-cult education bases” continue to open up across the nation, Kurt Rovenstine with Bibles for China (BFC) says this is part of a trend they are sensing, where “it’s just more difficult to walk in compliance with what the Communist officials are asking our Christ-following brothers and sisters to do within China.”
Bibles for China acknowledges the delicate balance between serving Christ in partnership with local churches and navigating new government regulations — regulations that might spark discord between registered and unregistered congregations.
“If [a congregation is] espousing the beliefs of the Bible and putting their faith in Christ alone, they’re my brothers, regardless of what particular political bent they have within China,” Rovenstine says.
“This does set itself up to drive a wedge in between that harmony [between congregations]. Whether it’s intentional or not, it’s a possibility, and I pray that that doesn’t happen.”
Please join in praying for wisdom and Spirit-led unity among Chinese Christians. Pray for Bibles for China too as they respond to ever-changing dynamics in gospel ministry.
(Image courtesy of Bibles for China)
“We’re still going to have a strong presence in China as long as that option and opportunity is available to us. But we are pivoting,” Rovenstine says.
One of these new directions is to distribute children’s Bible outside of China (more on that in this recent story).
“We have other programs that we’re looking at within China that bolsters the [church] leadership within China,” Rovenstine says. They believe that when a leader knows the Bible and how to preach the gospel of Christ, it will strengthen the church to stand for truth.
“The Word of God in the hands of somebody who reads it has incredible power. So that is what we remain strong in trying to promote,” says Rovenstine.
Header image is a representative stock photo courtesy of Xavi Cabrera via Unsplash.
