After serving his two year sentence, Christian historian and church leader, Zhang Yi-nan was scheduled to be released from custody on September 25. Before being allowed to return home, however, he was taken to a police station where he was "instructed" on what to publicly say and do upon his release. Police reportedly told him that he was "very defiant" because he refuses to admit his "mistakes" -- being a Christian and part of an unregistered house church. He was finally allowed to return home to his wife and son in the early afternoon.
Zhang expects that his activities will continue to be monitored. According to China Aid Association, a Public Service Bureau officer refused to return his identification card in order to restrict his movements. Speaking to VOMC sources, Zhang said, "Compared to the testimony of Pastor Allen Yuan and Wang Mingdao, my suffering is nothing. Both of them were imprisoned for about 20 years for the sake of the gospel. I am just so privileged to taste a little bit of the Lord's cross."
Praise God for Zhang Yi-nan's release and continue to pray for him as he adjusts to public life after two years in prison. According to Zhang, State Security Bureau agents told him on September 14 that the only reason he had not been sentenced to a longer term was because of international pressure. Glenn Penner, spokesman for VOMC, said, "Brother Zhang's release is evidence of the power of public advocacy. We thank all who have prayed and intervened on his behalf. We also urge the Chinese government to release all other prisoners of faith like Mr. Zhang."
Pray that the authorities will allow Brother Zhang freedom in carrying out his life and ministry. Pray for the many others who are still imprisoned in China because of their faith in Jesus Christ.
For more information on the persecution facing China's Church, click here. A variety of video clips about persecution in China are available on VOMC's multimedia website, www.vomcanada.com.
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