An international Christian ministry to the persecuted church will continue its effort to strengthen Christians in China through Christian resources.
For the year 2005, Open Doors launched the Lighthouse Project, an initiative with the goal of distributing 3.4 million Bibles, Study Bibles, commentaries, hymnals, and other resources in China, and sought to increase 400,000 additional resources from 2004.
Open Doors said, "In 2005, God…opened exciting doors to help strengthen China's house churches. As the largest and fastest growing body of Christians in the world, the Church in China desperately needs Christian resources to remain strong."
They will proceed with the goals they have set for 2005 and continue to equip pastors and church leaders with essential tools, so that they can minister to their churches. Open Door's hope is to train 8,400 pastors, leaders, Sunday school teachers, and youth workers across China.
"By targeting the house churches, we are able to impact thousands of Christians," Open Doors said.
There are an estimated 60 to 80 million Christians in China, making it one of the most heavily populated Christian countries in the world, according to Open Doors, but it "also makes Chinese believers one of the largest bodies of persecuted Christians, especially those who worship in unregistered house churches," which is estimated at 75 percent of all Christians in China.
The resources are designed to equip church leaders to stand firm against persecution and the widespread influence of cults and false teachings, and to help house church leaders minister to the younger generations.
China only allows churches official recognition within the Three Self Patriotic Movement or under the Chinese government. All Christian gatherings and activities are illegal if carried out by churches that are not registered.
On March 1, the government issued a new law governing religion that demands that "religious venues must accept the supervision and investigation of the Religious Affairs departments."
However, Open Doors said, "In effect, the law could make life harder for those Christians already suffering persecution."
Open Doors believes that they are called to support the persecuted church in every way they can, and said they will press forward with the Lighthouse Project "to strengthen and encourage God's people in China."
