Christian Freedom International

Home

Christian Freedom International Embarks On a Bible Mission in China and Vietnam

CFI News
Written by CFI News
Wednesday, 16 July 2008 10:23
SAULT STE. MARIE, MI – (CFI News) -- Christian Freedom International (CFI), has launched an effort that recently delivered over 300 Bibles to persecuted Christians in Vietnam, with plans to provide 500 more in a subsequent delivery. Vietnam was named as a “Country of Particular Concern” by the U.S. State Department in 2004, citing severe violations of religious freedom under the International Religious Freedom Act. Although Vietnam’s Constitution provides for freedom of worship, the government continues to strictly control any religious activity perceived to be in conflict with state laws and policies. Christians in particular, especially those of ethnic Hmong and Thai descent, have been subject to abuse and arrest, with many even been forced to renounce their Christian faith. CFI also plans to send Bibles into China, where the Christian church has been growing at an astounding rate. As the international community focuses on the upcoming Olympic games in Beijing, China’s government is continuing its quiet attempt to remove any and all evidence of Christianity from its society. Today, Christians in China still suffer from grave persecution, including abuse, harassment, arrest and imprisonment, especially for owning an “illegal” copy of the Bible. Although the Chinese government supplies a limited number of Bibles for “authorized” churches each year, the severe Bible shortage continues to worsen as the church grows by the thousands each day in the Communist nation. According to the Bible League, an estimated 60 to 100 million believers belong to the Christian church in China, with 3.5 to 4 million believers joining the church each year. Nearly half -- 30 to 50 million Christians -- do not own a personal copy of the Scriptures. CFI, an organization with a mission to assist the persecuted church around the world, intends to expand its outreach into China and Vietnam in the upcoming months. CFI also provides Bibles, food, medicine, and other relief supplies in countries such as Burma, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Tibet, Nepal, Pakistan, Laos and Iraq.
Last Updated ( Wednesday, 16 July 2008 11:01 )