Mission Network News - Asia

China (MNN) — Ministry in China has become much harder than it was a decade ago.

“Bibles for China has the goal of distributing Bibles openly and legally within China to those who would not otherwise have [the] opportunity to have a Bible,” Kurt Rovenstine of Bibles for China says. Learn more about Bibles for China’s work here.

“That open and legal functioning in China is where the challenges have come.”

The obstacles are not always obvious. “Over the last couple of months, we became aware that our reputation is not what we had hoped it would be in the eyes of the Chinese government,” Rovenstine says.

“[The] relationship between leadership within China, [which is] so important, is becoming more difficult to maintain because of some of these alleged missteps.”

The “alleged missteps” were a result of cultural misunderstandings. During the extensive planning process of one Bibles for China trip, the ministry forgot to notify a key Chinese leader of their plans. That misstep, in turn, triggered a chain of unintended reactions.

(Photo and header photo courtesy of Bibles for China)

“In China, it’s very important that leadership is acknowledged, honor is given, and you don’t circumnavigate somebody in the process – that becomes an insult to them,” Rovenstine explains.

“We don’t totally understand all of this because we have a Western mindset, but in the mindset of those [from] the Far East, it was an egregious kind of a thing.”

Bibles for China can still transfer funds into the country and oversee distributions, but trips are on hold for now. Ask God to help Bibles for China and its partners resolve the cultural misunderstandings.

“We’ve got a couple of folks in China trying to advocate for us, and hopefully, those partners can help us reestablish a positive relationship. So, pray for that,” Rovenstine requests.

Header and story images courtesy of Bibles for China.

Hong Kong (MNN) — Situated on the southern coast of China, Hong Kong is neither a city nor a country, per se. Instead, it is a special administrative region of China, and it has been so since 1 July 1997. 

Hong Kong is also a stop along the way to bring the Bible deeper into Asia. 

Jason Woolford with Mission Cry says, “This year, they finally lifted the COVID restrictions [so] now people are able to travel if you have a good social score. In other words, [if] you haven’t been in trouble, or you’re following the rules of the Chinese government, then that allows you to freely travel within certain places in China and to Hong Kong.”

(Photo courtesy of Mission Cry)

With a Mission Cry shipping container awaiting them in Hong Kong, Christians from northern China risked the journey south to bring Scripture to their communities.

“We were able to get [these believers] down into the south and gave each of them about 20 pieces of the Book of John in simplified Chinese and other materials. I’m happy to report that all of them have made it back to the north and they’re distributing the Word of God as we speak (in late July 2024).”

Around 400 Books of John or children’s Bibles were distributed. Woolford says each book will likely be shared among 20 people, for an estimated impact of 8,000 people. 

Mainland China isn’t the only focus at Mission Cry. Woolford says one of their goals is to send two more containers to Hong Kong the next five months. 

“At Hong Kong University, our materials are being distributed and used by students there for evangelism and for outreach,” he says. 

Please support Mission Cry’s work through your prayers. Now is the time that they have the means, the partnerships and God’s favor to do this work in Asia.   

“Be praying that we continue to have protection over our team there — that we continue to have inroads to be able to do this when so many others do not have that opportunity,” Woolford says. 

Visit missioncry.com learn how you can sponsor an upcoming shipping container full of Christian resources. Each container carries over half a million dollars’ worth of Bibles and Christian resources and costs only $11,000 to send. 

Header photo courtesy of Mission Cry. 

India (MNN) — The election fallout continues in India. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his BJP party were predicting a majority win going into the spring elections.

“That [would have given] them the ability to completely change the constitution, to rewrite it,” John Pudaite with Bibles For The World says.

“They were going to take action against Christians and other minorities; they talked about removing the clause [that] allows for minority religions to have their institutions of education. All of a sudden, all Christian schools, seminaries, and things like that would be one of their targets.”

Thankfully, Modi’s prediction fell flat. “We all breathed a huge sigh of relief as the election results were announced,” Pudaite says.

“Even in my home state of Manipur, the BJP and its allies lost both seats. That was huge because it meant they [would] lose some of their support from the central government.”

(Photo courtesy of Bibles For The World)

The change in leadership buys minorities some time, but Christians are still in danger. “Right after the election results were announced, there was a new outbreak of violence,” Pudaite says.

“One of our churches was attacked, [another church] was burned, and quite a number of homes [were] set on fire. These were all from the Christian tribal communities.”

Additionally, “one of the first things that the new coalition led by the Congress Party was able to do is to repeal the anti-conversion law,” Pudaite says.

“That was a bright spot, but at the same time, other states have been preparing their anti-conversion laws. We’re now at 11 of the 28 states [in India] with anti-conversion laws.”

Keep praying that God will strengthen believers and improve the situation for Christians in India.

“Lift up those Christians who are every day at risk [and] suffering for their faith. Pray that they will continue to be strong in their faith,” Pudaite requests.

Header image depicts India’s Prime Minister, Narendra Modi. (Wikimedia Commons)

Pakistan (MNN) — Another young Christian is sentenced to death under Pakistan’s notorious blasphemy laws.

The 27-year-old believer allegedly shared a photo of a damaged Quran on TikTok following widespread attacks on the Christian community last August. Even though the young man did not create the image, the court said it was blasphemous and worthy of a death sentence.

Todd Nettleton with The Voice of the Martyrs USA says, “The blasphemy laws are unjust. There’s a presumption of guilt instead of a presumption of innocence.”

Believers accused of blasphemy often face mob justice before they ever step into a courtroom. More about that here. Such was the case of an elderly Christian businessman beaten to death by a mob in May.

“Thankfully, the police arrested members of the mob and were trying to hold them accountable. But then you have rallies in support of more vigilante violence against religious minorities,” Nettleton says.

“There needs to be some kind of a change to these blasphemy laws and the way they’re enforced, and a return to the rule of law instead of the rule of the mob.”

At least 103 people have been charged with blasphemy between January and June of this year, according to the Pakistan-based Center for Social Justice (CSJ).

Ask the Lord to strengthen and encourage persecuted believers in Pakistan. Find more ways to help here.

Nettleton says, “We can’t go to them. We can’t necessarily comfort” the individual believers and families mentioned above, but “we can certainly pray for them, and for other Christians in Pakistan, who live constantly under this oppression and second-class citizenship status.”

Header image is a representative photo courtesy of visuals/Unsplash.

North Korea (MNN) — Last week was North Korean Freedom Week, recognizing the courage of escapees as well as millions of people who still suffer in the hermit nation.

As hard as it is to get people out of North Korea, it’s also incredibly difficult to get Bibles into North Korea.

Eric Foley with The Voice of the Martyrs (VOM) Korea says, “We have to remember, at the end of the day, any means of getting a Bible into North Korea from any direction has essentially been criminalized.”

(Photo courtesy of The Voice of the Martyrs Korea)

In light of North Korean Freedom Week, Christians praying for this nation remember that true spiritual freedom for North Koreans is found in the Gospel.

VOM Korea aims to do everything it can to continue getting Bibles across the North Korean border by any means necessary — something for which Foley was arrested and interrogated in South Korea four years ago.

“I said to the Lord, ‘If I can get just one more Bible into North Korea, Lord, then it would be worth it.'”

The people of North Korea desperately need hope that can’t be taken away. Whether or not they escape an earthly dictatorship, they can know freedom in the promises of Jesus Christ.

That’s why VOM Korea’s bold ministry in Bible smuggling continues.

“Every year, The Voice of the Martyrs Korea — by the grace of God and with the partnerships that we have with the Voice of the Martyrs organizations around the world — has gotten more than 40,000 Bibles a year into North Korea,” says Foley.

“Let’s do what we can to partner with underground North Korean Christians today, because today is the day for Gospel ministry in North Korea.”

Learn more about VOM Korea here!

Header photo courtesy of Micha Brandli/Unsplash.

Nepal (MNN) — The Body of Christ grows in a former Hindu kingdom. Chitry* with A3 says, “God is doing wonderful things in Nepal. Churches are growing, and Christians are becoming strong.”

However, Christians and church leaders also face increasing challenges.

Nepal’s “government [is] going to make things legal here – abortion and then same-sex marriage. Christians [are] struggling [with] what to do in this situation,” Chitry says.

“We are working, Christians all together, [to decide] whether we should put a legal case in the Supreme Court.”

(Photo courtesy of A3)

Formerly known as Asian Access, A3 networks with church leaders throughout Nepal and helps organize collaboration groups to address issues like these. More about that here. A3 programs focus on developing leaders and, by extension, churches that multiply.

Biblical discipleship is at the forefront. “Believers from the Hindu background need to have a discerning spirit and more biblical knowledge to become strong in the Lord,” Chitry says.

Societal issues aren’t the only challenges believers face. “Persecution is severely taking place in Nepal. We are local Christian[s] helping those [who] are beaten by Hindu fanatics,” Chitry says.

“[One] mother was beaten and broke three teeth, and her hand was broken.”

Ask the Lord to strengthen believers who face persecution and give church leaders wisdom as they proclaim the Gospel amid opposition.

“Pray for evangelists who travel from one mountain to another mountain, from one district to another district. They need God’s help and guidance,” Chitry says.

*Pseudonym

Header image depicts a mountain village in Nepal. Photo courtesy of James Wheeler/Pexels.

Pakistan (MNN) – Pakistan is layered in ancient history.

The land that is now Pakistan was once part of The Indus Valley civilization, one of the oldest civilizations in global history. Pakistan has a special connection to Christianity, too; the apostle Thomas is thought to have brought Christianity to the area and helped lay the foundations of the global Church.

To this day, there are some 2.6 million Christians in Pakistan. That’s a strong Church presence, but Pakistan is a mix of many cultures, languages, and religions. Tailoring discipleship material and leadership techniques to a country with so much diverse history is no small task.

Pakistan needs Christian leadership. That’s where the MENA Leadership Center hopes to step in. According to the Center’s Fadi Sharaiha, the Center is heading to Pakistan “to do a vision trip, to get to know the partners on the ground, the churches and the needs that they have. By the end of this year, we are hoping to have a program [in place].”

The goal is to have a comprehensive network of Christian leaders by 2025. Those leaders can disciple one another into a brighter Church in Pakistan.

Admittedly, that takes funding – and right now, the Center doesn’t have that funding. Still, they feel that God is calling to reap the harvest God has sown in Pakistan for millennia.

“That’s why we did attend some kind of roundtable discussions around Pakistan with the Pakistani leaders last year,” Sharaiha says. “We felt that the Holy Spirit was urging us to do something in Pakistan.”

It’s not just that Pakistan is ripe with Christian history. Tragically, the modern situation in Pakistan also demands the Church’s attention.

“I’ve heard that there is something called the brick factory in Pakistan. The brick factory is, in [other words], slavery. More than half of the people working this brick factory are Christians.”

Poverty, slavery, and persecution are all very real obstacles to the Church in Pakistan. As The MENA Leadership Center seeks to bring light into these dark corners via culturally informed and scripturally sound leaders.

“Pray for the Church of Pakistan. Pray for wisdom and discernment while choosing the right partners on the ground in Pakistan, while working with the leaders, and while identifying the learning needs that need to happen in Pakistan.”

If you want to support MENA Leadership Center’s efforts in Pakistan, you can do so right here.

“I really hope and pray that whatever we do is going to be for the glory of God in and for the church in Pakistan. The church needs this. Christians need this and Pakistan needs this.”

Header photo courtesy of Unsplash.

India (MNN) — India is one of the least-reached places in the world with the Gospel. But an entire Indian family’s legacy can change when just one child learns about Jesus.

Maali is a little girl who recently began attending Mission India’s Children’s Bible Club. Regan Miller with Mission India says, there, “She learned how to pray to Jesus. That changed everything.”

Maali’s mother had been struggling with her mental health and it was taking a toll on the family. Maali started praying to God with her mom, and her Bible Club leader even came to their home to pray with her.

“After that, there was a noticeable improvement in Maali’s mom, and they could tell she was healed and her well-being just changed.”

(Photo courtesy of Mission India)

Today, Maali’s mother and father are following Jesus and attending church together as a family!

Miller adds, “Not only did Maali’s faith reach up to her parents, Maali’s grandparents were so inspired that they’ve come to Christ as well.

“So three generations were changed by the love of Christ and three generations received salvation because this one child was reached by the Gospel in a Bible Club.”

For just $24, you can give a child in India a spot in Mission India’s Year-Long Children’s Bible Club! And for the 10-Day Children’s Bible Club, it’s just $1 to impact one kid and their whole family for Christ.

“We all know from personal experience that values that we were taught as children are carried on throughout our lives for better for worse, and so the values that we can carry on to the next generation will make an impact as well!”

Praise God for Gospel impact through generations!

Give to Children’s Bible Clubs with Mission India here.

Header photo of Maali, courtesy of Mission India.

Nepal (MNN) — Monsoon rains inundate Nepal, triggering landslides and widespread flooding.

Nepal endures the rainy season every year, but this year’s deluge looks slightly different. Chitry* with A3 says, “The rain was delayed this year, and people are really struggling. Farmers were planting rice, but suddenly, heavy rain poured in Nepal.

“17 people already died, and I’m not sure how many will be [affected] because this is the beginning of the rain of this year.”

(Photo courtesy of Balendra Sah/Instagram)

A3 is training pastors and church leaders in Kathmandu this week, but “Some of them (pastors and leaders) may not be able to come to the session this time because roads are [washed out and there is] no transportation available right now.”

One pastor will be walking five hours to reach a nearby city, where he hopes to catch a bus to Kathmandu. If a bus is not available, he’ll have to walk five hours back home.

Ask the Lord to protect Christian leaders trying to attend the A3 training session.

“Please pray for those who are struggling because of the flood. Some of them lost their house; some houses were damaged. Their economic situation will be affected,” Chitry says.

Formerly known as Asian Access, A3 develops and empowers Christian leadership networks in strategic regions like South Asia. Learn more here.

*Pseudonym

Header and story images depict flooding in and near Kathmandu, Nepal. Photos courtesy of Balendra Sah.

Afghanistan (MNN) — The Taliban’s domination of Afghanistan is not without threads of hope. 

Greg Yoder with Keys for Kids Ministries says, “There just aren’t any churches there. The ones that were there aren’t in existence. I mean, when you think of 65 million speakers of the Pashto language, and only 20,000 known Christians [in Afghanistan] and most of them are gone, there’s a huge need.” 

Last month, Keys for Kids raised $50,000 to begin translating their Storyteller resources into Pashto. The project is in partnership with FMI. 

“We’re talking about solar-powered MP3 players that have Scripture and Keys for Kids stories that point kids to Scripture,” says Yoder. “So because it’s easy to understand, everybody can listen to it, everybody can understand it.”

(Keys for Kids Storytellers are loaded with Scripture and Bible-centered audio resources. Photo courtesy of Keys For Kids)

These resources will help reach the next generation of Afghans. 

“We know that between the ages of four and 14 (known as the 4–14 window), 70% of people [who] come to faith in Christ do so in that that window. So it’s the most fertile ground. It’s in that demographic [that children] are looking for spiritual truth.”

But with the opportunity also comes danger. Yoder says that those involved in recording Keys for Kids resources and Scripture into Pashto are risking their lives to do so. That goes for those who will eventually carry the resources into Afghanistan too.

“Just to be thought of as a Christian and Afghanistan can get you killed or, worse, tortured, so that you give up other Christians that you know of,” Yoder says.

“We’re excited to be [in] the partnership with FMI, dealing with people who know how to get these things in, who are bold, who aren’t ashamed of the gospel, and are going to take it into regions of the world where it’s desperately needed. That’s the only hope they have.”

Keys for Kids and its partners need your prayer support more than ever. 

“Pray that the Holy Spirit will go before us and just begin working in the to soften the hearts of the Afghan people, especially those who speak Pashto,” says Yoder. “We have an opportunity to get these Storytellers in the next year into regions that we’ve never ever expected, with couriers we never expected to be couriering these things.”

Learn more here about Keys for Kids’ heart to bring children to Christ around the world. 

Header photo of girls in burqaas is a representative stock image courtesy of ArmyAmber via Pixabay.