China’s double-digit economic growth of the past decade has proved to be unsustainable for the long run. Still today, the seven percent growth increase they are achieving is significant. China’s overproduction in many areas have sent them looking for new markets—particularly in Africa and western Asia. The Belt and Road initiative seeks to provide infrastructure in the nations west of China—retracing the old Silk Road back to the Middle East. These initiatives are the source of many of China’s 450,000+ international students who want to learn Mandarin and make network connections in China.
With the developing middle class and growing affluence of China, many of China’s college-aged young people are seeking higher education alternatives outside of China. Until fairly recently, a degree from the U.S. or U.K. along with fluency in English was seen as a career enhancer. There are some indications that such may not be as much of the case as in years earlier.
As was mentioned in last week’s blog, China’s leadership has been taking steps to limit Western and terroristic influences impacting their society. The reaction has been to tighten perceived security issues, but these steps also make the nation a society more closed to foreign influences. As a further reflection of these concerns, China is in the process of developing a “social credit score” for all citizens and residents. This score will determine a person’s ability to buy a plane or train ticket, get their child enrolled in a good school, or borrow money. The score is determined by one’s political views, social networking contacts, financial worthiness, and record with the police.
Many churches are now required to install video cameras, and the use of facial recognition software makes it possible for the government to know who is attending each church and how often. The house churches are coming under increased pressure to become registered churches.
Despite all of these factors, the number of believers in China continues to grow, and the church grows ever more strong and mature. Recently, 10,000 Chinese young believers met outside the country for a missions conference and many dedicated themselves for missionary service!
Chinese students in the U.S. continue to be very responsive to the message of the gospel. Currently, we are looking at better ways of discipling these students and preparing them for the leadership roles they will assume one day after they return home. Please join us in praying for these opportunities!
Principles cited in this blog: China continues to develop their economy while fearing outside influences they deem disruptive and are taking steps to limit those influences; China’s Christian population continues to grow, mature spiritually, and increasingly reach out with the gospel
Application for ISI ministry: We need to make sure we effectively prepare Chinese students for returning home and for positions of leadership they will probably assume
Next blog topic: Focus on India
Doug Shaw with Derrah Jackson
With the developing middle class and growing affluence of China, many of China’s college-aged young people are seeking higher education alternatives outside of China. Until fairly recently, a degree from the U.S. or U.K. along with fluency in English was seen as a career enhancer. There are some indications that such may not be as much of the case as in years earlier.
As was mentioned in last week’s blog, China’s leadership has been taking steps to limit Western and terroristic influences impacting their society. The reaction has been to tighten perceived security issues, but these steps also make the nation a society more closed to foreign influences. As a further reflection of these concerns, China is in the process of developing a “social credit score” for all citizens and residents. This score will determine a person’s ability to buy a plane or train ticket, get their child enrolled in a good school, or borrow money. The score is determined by one’s political views, social networking contacts, financial worthiness, and record with the police.
Many churches are now required to install video cameras, and the use of facial recognition software makes it possible for the government to know who is attending each church and how often. The house churches are coming under increased pressure to become registered churches.
Despite all of these factors, the number of believers in China continues to grow, and the church grows ever more strong and mature. Recently, 10,000 Chinese young believers met outside the country for a missions conference and many dedicated themselves for missionary service!
Chinese students in the U.S. continue to be very responsive to the message of the gospel. Currently, we are looking at better ways of discipling these students and preparing them for the leadership roles they will assume one day after they return home. Please join us in praying for these opportunities!
Principles cited in this blog: China continues to develop their economy while fearing outside influences they deem disruptive and are taking steps to limit those influences; China’s Christian population continues to grow, mature spiritually, and increasingly reach out with the gospel
Application for ISI ministry: We need to make sure we effectively prepare Chinese students for returning home and for positions of leadership they will probably assume
Next blog topic: Focus on India
Doug Shaw with Derrah Jackson
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