Also, the current state could affect the future in regard to ministry and mission opportunities in China. “Unless there is a reversal of the State’s policy towards religion, the opportunities for ministry and mission will remain in China. In fact, if the current trends continue, the opportunities will increase. But, the Church needs to redouble its effort in training and community services in order to continue to grow, not just in numbers but in strength,” Kua said.

According to Peng, one of the greatest challenges is the need for well-trained pastors and church leaders, which is well beyond the capacity of the 20 or so seminaries in China.

Open Doors, which has worked in China for over 40 years, noted another challenge. Open Doors Director for China Xiao Yun said (his real name not given due to security issues), “In China, you do not see the same developments everywhere. In the large cities, the standard of living is improving, whereas in the rural areas, everything is actually the same as it used to be. The churches in the rural areas see their young people leaving and going to the big towns. The migration is so great that the Church outside the large towns is actually decreasing in size. In contrast, Churches in the cities are growing. They are facing a great challenge, because they do not know how they should deal with the migrants. Country people are very different from city people. Churches outside the towns have already been sending pastors to the towns to counsel the rural youth. Unfortunately, this has not proved to be very successful.”

Christians in China also deal with a limited sense of calling. “Most Christians in China think that there is only one way in which they can serve God: by becoming a full-time pastor or evangelist. Of course, this is not true,” Yun said. “Even if you have a job in a factory or an office, you can be a witness to Christ. This is why we want to help young people discover God's personal plan for their lives,” he said.

Meanwhile, the impending Olympic Games are also having an impact on house churches, as authorities become more skittish. “They are afraid that society will become unstable and therefore they want to have a hold on all aspects of society. The House Churches are one of the focuses of attention,” Yun said. “In the Olympic towns in particular – Beijing, Hong Kong, Shenyang, Qingdao, Qinhuangdao, Tianjin, Shanghai, etc. – surveillance has considerably increased. The House Churches have been told that they are to stop. The House Church movement is a thorn in the flesh of the Chinese government. Abroad much is being written and said about the Chinese House Churches. The government sees this as a loss of face. This is why attention is being focused on 'illegal' gatherings.”

Yet authorities can’t seem to stop the impact that Christians are making physically and spiritually in relief efforts after May’s 7.9 magnitude earthquake.