The ingenuity and grandeur of the Great Wall of China, integral inventions like paper, the socially-conscious writings of Confucius, and the colorful dragons of the Chinese New Year all point to China’s rich and ancient history and it’s massive influence on the world. From the highest mountain in the west to the eastern plains and hills, from the nearly sub-arctic north to the rain forests of the tropical south, China’s diversity and immensity is astounding! More people live in China than in any other nation. These 1.35 billion people are as diverse as the landscape: 500 indigenous ethnic groups scattered over 3.7 million square miles. Some live in enormous modern industrial cities, while others make their living on the land in sparse rural communities. This immense nation’s poignant culture, natural beauty, and stunning diversity has captivated hearts and minds for thousands of years.

Yet the Chinese people have suffered greatly from the devastating cruelty of the dominant Communist Party since 1949, with as many as 45 million losing their lives under the first leader, Mao Zedong. Even with recent economic reforms that have brought some private ownership, the widely corrupt government still oppressively restricts almost every sphere of its people’s lives through repression of free speech, a harsh penal code, and more. A global market leader and the world’s second largest economy, China’s economic growth has created vast wealth for some, while also amplifying the disparities between the rich and poor. With hundreds of millions flocking to the cities over the past couple generations, China also faces a tragic myriad of social crises combined with the often fatal effects of environmental pollution. With a staggering divorce rate, urgent mental health needs (highest suicide rate in the world), vulnerable North Korean refugees, as many as 13 million abortions per year, over 3 million children in orphanages, and millions more abandoned and trafficked – the nation of China is a land of immense and urgent human need.

Yet this nation has also seen one of history’s most remarkable and miraculous events! With only 2.7 million Christians in 1975, China is now home to as many as 75 million believers! The scope of this incredible growth is unprecedented. The gruesome persecution that followed the Cultural Revolution (1966-1976) only gave the Church greater momentum. A vast network of passionate house churches has arisen with astounding growth that can no longer be ignored. Though political persecution has been lessening, arrests and forced closures are increasing in key areas. Illegal unregistered house churches face further hostility, while rural Christians face persecution by Muslims. However, China is beginning to recognize its need for moral stability in an increasingly materialistic society. Christians represent every strata of society in the state-controlled Protestant church, rural house church networks, and the vibrant urban professional churches. But this massive and rapid growth has created an enormous need for further access to Bibles and sound Biblical teaching, particularly in the face of pressing moral and ethical situations and questions. Though the Church in China is massive, it remains only 8% of the population and is not distributed evenly throughout this vast land. Over 183,000,000 remain unreached by the Gospel and over 500 million are held captive to the mixed philosophies and teachings of Daoism, Buddhism, Confucianism, and Atheism. As materialism, corruption, and moral decline continue to ravage China, this incredible window of spiritual receptivity might not remain open. Now is the time. May the Spirit of God unleash His power in even greater ways, and may the Gospel reach each of the 1.35 billion people spread across this massive land.