Daily Topic for July 05, 2007
After the gospel has been preached in a people group, and many have responded in faith, a new church is born. We may be tempted to heave a sigh of relief, rejoice in the new evidence of God’s power, and turn our attention elsewhere. But we must remember that some of Satan’s strongest attacks will be directed against this fledgling body of believers. Pray for the brand-new churches being formed even this month.
Pray for God’s protection for new believers, and especially for national church leaders who are special targets of the onslaught of the enemy.
Once fierce warriors, the Manchu people overtook and ruled all of China for almost 300 years, from 1644 to 1911. Resentments still linger from the Manchu Dynasty, and today they are generally not well liked by the other ethnic groups of China.
About half of the 10 million Manchus live in cities where they work in factories or as businessmen. Since they originally came from north of the great wall, many have gravitated to two cities in northeastern China: Jilin and Shenyang.
China’s cities have exploded with growth during the last 20 years. Rapid industrialization, increased economic growth, and the promise of good jobs draw the Manchus to the big cities, where they enjoy a standard of living superior to anything they could have imagined.
These urban-dwelling Manchu people are better educated and wealthier than those still living in rural areas. They value logic and education over religion.
Ancient Manchu people believed in Shamanism. Later their beliefs took on a pluralistic quality when they were influenced by Buddhism, Daoism, and Confucianism. Today most Manchus are not religious. However, they are clustered in cities, and easily accessible to Christians.
Learn more at joshuaproject.netPray for God to open the spiritual eyes of the Manchus.-JWS
Next day: Animistic Paiwan (Pie-wohn) People of Taiwan and the PRC
Previous day: Naxi (Na-shee) People of Lijiang City