Christianity making good progress in Asia

New Delhi, Feb.19 : House churches in China are making remarkable progress. If the present trend continues this populous country is destined to become the largest Christian nation in this century according to Rev Sang Bok David Kim, Chairman of the Evangelical Fellowship of Asia.

Rev David Kim of South Korea is here in connection with the meeting of the executive committee of the Evangelical Fellowship of Asia. Pastors, evangelists and prominent Christians and leaders of the Evangelical Fellowship of India were present at a dinner hosted in honour of the visiting dignitaries of the EFA at Bible Bhavan on February 19.It was well attended.

Rev David Kim also announced that a seminary will be set up in Baghdad. It will be opened on March 19 and requested prayer for safety of travel and also for the success of the function. This will be the first seminary in modern Iraq, referred to in the Bible as the Babylonian empire.

He also announced that a meeting of Asian churches is scheduled to be held in Seoul from April 26 to 29." Renewal and church growth will be the topics for deliberation in which about 500 delegates are expected to take part from 16 nations.

Also, The EFA chairam recalled that when the world Olympics were held in Seoul, there were only 500 South Korean missionaries in the world. At that time Christians prayed for sending 10,000 missionaries to various parts of the world by the year 2000,
The target which looked unrealistic at that time now stands fulfilled, he added.

Rev Godfrey Yogarajah, general secretary of the EFA, referred to conditions in Sri Lanka and said that while there is a lull in the fighting following the ceasefire between government and rebel forces, there has been a spurt in the number of attacks on churches and Christians in the past couple of years. He also mentioned about the Sri Lankan government's move to introduce an anti-conversion bill in its parliament.

Rev Dr Joshua K Ogawa of Japan and Rev Silawech Kanjanamukda of Thailand, both members of the EFA, also spoke. Rev Kanjanamukhda revealed that while the people of Thailand were friendly, evangelism was not making much headway. Christians accounted for one per cent of the population. He also pointed out that the government in his country was taking good care of religious institutions. Churches also received help. Christian Dr Ogawa also pointed out that the churches in his country were small and there was scope for more Indian evangelists to come and work in his country.

Rev Richard Howell, who welcomed the delegates of the EFA, stressed on the need for Christians to be the salt and light of the earth. They should be a blessing to people living around them.