As the Olympics draw near, two ministries are leading a campaign to focus attention on the underground church network in China and pray for persecuted believers in China.
Voice of the Martyrs (VOM) and the China Aid Association are asking Christians to wear wristbands that say "Pray for China." The campaign was launched only weeks before opening ceremonies take place on August 8 in Beijing. VOM Spokesman Todd Nettleton says the communist Chinese government has stepped up efforts to silence Christians and other dissidents as the Olympics approach. "The Chinese government wants this Olympic season to be a great coming-out party for the nation of China. So they are doing everything they can to keep Christians out of Beijing, especially those who would be inclined to protest or make any kind of public spectacle," Nettleton contends. "The Chinese government wants to ensure this Olympics goes on right on schedule, without a hitch." Recently, VOM reported on a Chinese house church leader who was evicted from his Beijing home, along with his 90-year-old mother. "The Chinese government is involved in a cleanup campaign for the city of Beijing. They are lessening the amount of people who can drive so they can reduce pollution," Nettleton adds. "They're shutting down factories so they can clean up the air -- and they're also trying to clean up Christians and make sure there's not anything embarrassing for the international media to see." The wristbands can be ordered through websites of the Voice of the Martyrs and China Aid Association.
Voice of the Martyrs (VOM) and the China Aid Association are asking Christians to wear wristbands that say "Pray for China." The campaign was launched only weeks before opening ceremonies take place on August 8 in Beijing. VOM Spokesman Todd Nettleton says the communist Chinese government has stepped up efforts to silence Christians and other dissidents as the Olympics approach. "The Chinese government wants this Olympic season to be a great coming-out party for the nation of China. So they are doing everything they can to keep Christians out of Beijing, especially those who would be inclined to protest or make any kind of public spectacle," Nettleton contends. "The Chinese government wants to ensure this Olympics goes on right on schedule, without a hitch." Recently, VOM reported on a Chinese house church leader who was evicted from his Beijing home, along with his 90-year-old mother.
"The Chinese government is involved in a cleanup campaign for the city of Beijing. They are lessening the amount of people who can drive so they can reduce pollution," Nettleton adds. "They're shutting down factories so they can clean up the air -- and they're also trying to clean up Christians and make sure there's not anything embarrassing for the international media to see." The wristbands can be ordered through websites of the Voice of the Martyrs and China Aid Association.
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