2022-02-01

  2021 has passed. During this year, churches in mainland China, like churches elsewhere in the world, have experienced the difficulties of the pandemic: churches have been ordered to close several times, cities have been locked down, access to residential neighborhoods has been restricted, gatherings in public have been limited, and there is a general fear of the virus. As a result, churches have expanded their services online, in small groups, and in family worship, but it is undeniable that these difficulties have also slowed down the evangelistic process significantly, and the lack of face-to-face encouragement and accountability has weakened the spiritual atmosphere for individual’s growth.​

  The year 2022 has come, but the virus and restrictions have not left. And to add insult to injury, “Measures for the Administration of Religious Information Services on the Internet”, which will come into effect on March 1, 2022, will likely leave no place for the current online worship and online Christian writings. One hundred years ago, in 1922, the Anti-Christian Movement was launched on China’s soil. And the ideas that led to that movement, such as radical nationalism and scientism, are actually still the dominant ideas today. So 2022 still seems like it will be a challenging year.​

  The year 2022 is the Year of the Tiger, and the Chinese believe that the Year of the Tiger symbolizes strength, vitality, and good fortune. However, the source of strength, life, and blessing is with God, so we call on all members of the body of Christ, whether you are Chinese or not, whether you know your brothers and sisters in China or not, to regularly remember the Chinese church and Chinese people before God so that they may all know God more deeply and have their hearts’ desires fulfilled.