Source: www.MNNonline.org
Date: April 10, 2025
China (MNN) — As US-China tensions escalate with tit-for-tat tariffs, the fallout may be impacting more than just global markets. A Christian ministry based in the US is reporting fresh roadblocks to travel in China — cutting off direct access to churches and training centers they’ve partnered with for decades.
Erik Burklin, President of China Partner, says, “We were invited to come and do some more trainings in two different provinces and three different schools – like seminaries and Bible schools. We’ve just been informed by our friends over there who are with the Registered Church that they did not receive permission by their government to receive us.
(Photo courtesy of China Partner)
“We’ve never had that where, last minute, somebody would indicate it to us, ‘Oh, please don’t come right now because we couldn’t get permission to host you.'”
The setback comes during a landmark year for China Partner, which is celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2025.
“My grandparents went to China 100 years ago this year,” Burklin shares. “In 1925, they got the call of God in their hearts to become missionaries.”
Burklin sees today’s restrictions in light of his grandparents’ experience. “They went through struggles and they had political strife during the middle of their tenure in China. That’s right at the end of World War II, Mao Zedong came into power, and all the foreigners were asked to leave. So this is not necessarily unprecedented, in a way.”
China’s tightened travel permissions appear to align with a broader pattern of retaliation toward the US in recent months, especially as trade tensions increase. However, Burklin says ministry doesn’t stop just because travel does.
“Just because China Partner ministries or other foreign organizations cannot right now travel to China to do direct ministry, there’s a lot of things that still can be done.”
(Photo courtesy of China Partner)
Online relationships, prayer support, and ongoing communication with local believers remain key strategies. Burklin says he’s still in touch with pastors from the two provinces affected by the recent cancellation to better understand the situation.
“We want to be very wise, and we also want to respect the authorities that have now basically limited international travel to come to China.”
In the midst of shifting policies, the Holy Spirit is moving and God is sovereign. Burklin says, “The Church is still operating in China and people are going to church – whether that is in the house Church movement or the Registered Church. God is still working.”
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Header photo courtesy of China Partner.