China has been undergoing dramatic change in the last 20 years—politically, economically, and spiritually.

We take a closer look with China expert and author Dr. Brent Fulton, focusing on these changes, challenges, and opportunities in China. How has the church expanded so dramatically?

The good doctor says that nearly everything you have heard about the church in China has a grain of truth to it.

Regarding the communist Chinese government’s disapproval of Christianity, Dr. Fulton cities the Chinese proverb:

“The mountains are high, and the emperor is far away.”

Right now there is an almost stunning growth of urbanization, and an intertwined pattern of mass human migration, happening in China.

Highlight: The scale of change in China

We hear more about some of the various streams of Chinese Christian churches:

1. The house churches that make up the countryside Christian movement
2. The official church recognized by the government
3. And the rapidly emerging urban church

The younger generation in the country right now has a lot of pressure weighing upon them.  They live in a culture with a focus on test-taking. High performance is expected & demanded. So while they have the most privilege as far as opportunities and education, they’re also the most unhappy. This even results in a lack of social skills & interaction, and an abundance of stress.

So how can we reach out to China’s next generation? Dr. Fulton notes that a great place to begin is in reaching out to the 25,000 high school students from China that are in the United States today.

Dr. Fulton calls us earnestly to pray for the church leaders of China. He urges prayers against materialism, for good role models, and that there would be a great unity among the generations of China’s believers.

China’s next generation

The good doctor invites you to follow him on Twitter here @BrentSFulton.