The situation for the church in China has changed sharply in the past six months. There are 129.7 million professing Christians in China and there has been an explosive growth in people coming to Christ. Earlier in the year the Chinese leader Xi Jinping was elected President for life, this makes him the most powerful leader politically since Mao. He is using that added power to persecute all non- communists in the nation. A huge expansion in surveillance technology makes Xi’s capacity to watch and impede his “enemies” unprecedented. Many house church leaders have been forced into hiding and hundreds are missing with unconfirmed reports that up to 300 have been killed.

The BBC has reported the terrible plight of the Muslim Uyghurs with a heavy military presence on the streets and up to one million placed in Chinese correction camps. Many church leaders in that region have also been taken away.

Across the nation crosses are taken down, Bibles burned and government facial recognition devices have been placed in many churches. Landlords who rent property to churches are finding themselves with huge fines, forcing many to evict congregations and church gatherings. Police can stop and search anyone on the streets to look for threats to society. These threats include bible apps and communications with Christian websites. Oppression is growing and we will be monitoring the situation carefully.

Pray for great wisdom and love for church leaders. Pray this persecution will be widely reported. God is King of Kings and Lord of Lords so in the midst of persecution, we pray for the fire of God to fall on China and for miracles of protection, provision, and healing.

Steve Botham, Director of World Prayer Centre