For the latest information, visit http://eastasianpeoples.imb.org/

Prayer Travels
While some go to East Asia to pray on site of the cities and peoples for whom they intercede, others at Vista Grande Baptist Church send their prayers to places where they will never go. Either way, Prayer Travels. As a church we are shouldering the burden of prayer on behalf of megacities and ethnic-minority groups as well as those who are sharing the gospel message.

In Obedience…
to God’s command to share the good news with the nations and in recognition of the great spiritual need among the people of East Asia, we are committed to champion this area of the world for Christ through prayer. Vista Grande Baptist Church has established East Asia Teas which meet monthly to pray fervently for the salvation of this area and those who are serving there. If you would like to be part of our prayer effort contact the church office at 719.598.2139 or info@vgbc.org.

The International Mission Board has an excellent website featuring prayer requests, blogs, videos and volunteer opportunities in East Asia. Vista Grande Baptist Church is a strong supporter of the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering which supports missionaries around the world.

The Peoples of East Asia

China
Population: 1.3 billion, about 1 of every 5 people on the planet
Capitol: Beijing

Religion: Officially, atheism. However, China is a huge place with a lot of people groups and influences. Many profess atheism, but in practice, many people practice a form of Buddhism, Confucianism, ancestor worship, Taoism, and other systems. The church is growing rapidly, despite persecution and difficulties facing Chinese believers.

Prayer Requests: Pray for workers to enter into the harvest fields of China (Luke 10:2) from around the world, and especially within China.
Ask that Chinese church leaders would be strengthened to the tasks before them, no matter the cost, and that they would grow in knowledge as they teach and lead.

Mongolia
Population: 2.9 million, the least densely populated independent country in the world.
Capital: Ulaanbaatar, the coldest national capital in the world.

Religion: 94% are Tibetan Buddhists, although this is usually mixed with Shamanism. Atheism and cults are also present. Now it is estimated that there are between 10,000 to 15,000 believers. About 99 percent live in Mongolia’s three major cities.

Prayer Request: Pray that every Mongolian will have an opportunity to hear about Jesus, despite geographical obstacles. Also pray that Mongolian believers will have opportunities to fellowship with brothers and sisters of their own people group.

Taiwan
Population: 23 million
Capital: Taipei

Religion: Taiwanese people have the freedom to worship as they choose. Therefore, the religions of Taiwan are diverse. Every city block has at least one temple where people go to worship. The most prominent religions are Taoism, Buddhism, Confucianism or a combination of several. Many Taiwanese also worship their ancestors. Only 2-3% of Taiwanese are Christian, and the working class people have an even lower percentage of Christians (<1%).

Prayer Request: Pray that the middle class people of Taiwan would experience a movement from the Holy Spirit, especially the men who are so resistant to the gospel.

Korea

North Korea
Population: 24 million
Capital: Pyongyang

Religion: All religions have been harshly repressed. Many thousands of Christians have been murdered since the Korean War and reduced to a few thousand today.   64% of the population is non-religious. Traditional ethnic, Chondogyo and Buddhist are the minority religions practiced.

Prayer Requests: The majority of North Korea have never heard the name of Jesus. Pray that the God-shaped hole may be filled within the long-suffering Korean people.   Pray for physical and spiritual safety for North Korea believers as they hang on to their Savior in what is possibly the most difficult country to be a Christian.

South Korea
Population: 48.5 million
Capital: Seoul

Religion:   There is complete religious freedom. The distinction between religious beliefs and unbelief is imprecise. Christianity represents 32% of the population.   35% of the population is non-religious while 24% are Buddhist.

Prayer Request: Pray for the less-evangelized sections of the population which need special approaches in ministry. Also pray that the growing number of theological trained Koreans will humbly commit themselves to the less prominent rural pastorates and bless the world through cross-cultural missions.

Japan
Population: 127 million
Capital: Tokyo

Religion:   Over 80% of the Japanese claim no personal religion, but follow the demands of idolatrous and ancestor-venerating Buddhism, and the rituals of polytheistic Shintoism. Multiple religious loyalties of the Japanese could be Buddhist 85%, Shinto 90%!

Prayer Request: Pray for the Holy Spirit to bring revelation of God and then a conviction of sin to the nation. Pray for men and couples to be called into pastoral and missionary work. Currently 70% of all Japanese pastors are over 50 years old.