A recent panel discussed the massive expansion of Christianity in China even as the government increases their crackdown on Christ’s people.

One of the panelists talked of the persecution as a source of joy for many of the Chinese Christian leaders because it’s bringing forward the true followers of the faith.

“Chinese Christian leaders look at this as a winnowing effect, so those who are not true Christians will leave the churches; the ‘Sunday Christians,'” said Professor Carsten Vala of Loyola University Maryland. “The really committed, devout believers will be increasingly strengthened in their faith by this ‘winds of persecution’ and honestly the church buildings may be torn down, but that doesn’t mean the congregations themselves have scattered.”

Reverend Zhang Boli spoke about the growth in the underground church movement that is surpassing the “registered” and “official” churches according to the Chinese government.  He attributed the crackdown to the growth.

“Recently we have seen some changes in the Chinese government’s policy towards religion,” said Boli via an interpreter. “The reason that caused them to decide to make those changes is because Christianity is moving very, very quickly in China.”

Official government statistics say there are 33 million Christians in the country but panelists say that because of unregistered “house churches” the amount is likely higher.