We call on the worldwide Church:

·        To encourage Christian denominations and organisations worldwide to take this call to their membership using resources provided by members of the partnership and others concerned with China;

·        To respond to the call of Chinese church leaders for prayer for full freedom to manifest their faith in China, the release of unjustly imprisoned Chinese Christians and an end to discrimination and persecution  of religious believers;

·        To recognise the desire expressed by church leaders for China to be a country full of love, justice, freedom and prosperity.

·        To support the God-given mandate of the Church in China, and its right to operate free from externally imposed agendas;

·        To pray for the Church in China as she contributes to the development of a just and harmonious society, fostering integrity, moral and ethical living and caring for the vulnerable. 

The RLP commits:

·        To pray, and mobilize our constituents to pray, in the lead-up the 2008 Beijing Olympics  culminating in 24-hours of prayer on August 8, 2008 (08 08 08), the opening ceremony of the Summer Olympics;

·        To encourage other likeminded organizations to promote and support this statement. 

Release International’s CEO Andy Dipper says: ‘The Olympic Games have put China firmly in the spotlight. Release International wants to see China gain renown for genuine reform of human rights; for solid advances in the essential human freedoms, including the freedom to believe and freedom of worship. 

‘Although China denies it, many Christians face persecution, arrest, torture and imprisonment for exercising their basic freedom of faith. These are the challenges facing many of China’s Christians. 

‘The challenge facing the Chinese authorities is to accelerate the pace of reform. There have been improvements - credit where credit is due - and Christians who are willing to accept government restrictions enjoy relative freedom. But the greatest challenge to China is to stop being suspicious towards to its citizens who are Christians – to begin to trust its own people with that most precious of rights – freedom.’  

Through its international network of missions Release International works to support persecuted Christians in some 30 nations. Release is supporting Christians imprisoned for their faith and their families. It supports church workers, pastors and their families, and provides training, Bibles, Christian literature and broadcasts. 

ENDS 

NOTES TO THE EDITOR

The Religious Liberty Partnership (RLP) is a collaborative effort of Christian organisations focused on religious liberty.  The RLP seeks to more intentionally work together in addressing advocacy and in raising the awareness of religious persecution globally.  Members of the RLP are primarily involved (that is the majority of their time, personnel, and resources) with ministry to persecuted Christians and/or on religious liberty issues in whatever context and strategy. 

For more information on the Zurich Statement or on the Religious Liberty Partnership, contact Brian O’Connell, RLP Facilitator at: Brian@REACTServices.com

RLP Members (websites are listed, where appropriate, for prayer resources and additional information):

·        China Aid:  http://chinaaid.org

·        Christian Solidarity Worldwide, UK:  www.csw.org.uk

·        Danish European Mission:  www.daneu.dk

·        HMK Switzerland:  www.hmk-aem.ch

·        Hilfsaktion Märtyrerkirche Germany:  www.h-m-k.org

·        International Institute for Religious Freedom

·        Jubilee Campaign, USA:  www.jubileecampaign.org

·        Norwegian Mission to the East:  www.nmio.no

·        Middle East Concern:  www.meconcern.org

·        Open Doors International:  http://od.org