Bishop Julius Jia Zhiguo of Zhengding has been released after five months of detention but remains under house arrest, according to an April 26 report from Zenit. Bishop Zhiguo was taken by authorities for a "study session" on November 8 (click here for the story). It was the eighth detention for the 71-year-old bishop since January 2004. He was transferred to house arrest on April 19, coinciding with Chinese President Hu Jintao's visit to the United States.
Bishop Julius Jia Zhiguo Released From Detention
- Current Ministry Projects
The Voice of the Martyrs Canada continues to help distribute Bibles to Christians in the country, making it possible for them to have their own printed version of God's Word. Additionally, VOMC works with various mission partners to facilitate a Biblical understanding of persecution and discipleship, while presenting ways to effectively respond and minister within the context of hostility.
Project Funds: Underground Church, Bible, Relief & Development
- Country Information
Population
1,413,142,846 (2023 est.)Ethnicity (%)
Han Chinese (91.1), ethnic minorities (8.9 - includes Zhang, Hui, Manchu, Uighur, Miao, Yi, Tujia, Tibetan, Mongol, Dong, Buyei, Yao, Bai, Korean, Hani, Li, Kazakh, Dai, and other nationalities) (2021 est.)Religion (%)
Folk religion (21.9), Buddhist (18.2), Christian (5.1), Muslim (1.8), Hindu (< 0.1), Jewish (< 0.1), other (0.7 - includes Daoist [Taoist]), unaffiliated (52.1) (2021 est.)Leader
President Xi Jinping (2013)Government type
Communist party-led stateLegal system
Based on civil law system; influenced by Soviet and continental European civil law systemsSources: CIA World Factbook
- Pray for China
Pray that the Gospel will be proclaimed throughout China without government interference so many more names can be added to the Lamb's "Book of Life." May there also be a spirit of unity demonstrated among the country's growing churches, further strengthening existing believers and spurring them on in their ministry service and evangelistic outreach within the country's numerous communities.
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China News
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Concerns Over Isolation of Imprisoned Pastor
Pastor Wang Yi in prison.
Photo: ChinaAidRecent reports indicate that Wang Yi, the imprisoned pastor of Early Rain Covenant Church, may be suffering from advanced liver cancer. Unfortunately, severe restrictions on family contact and communication have prevented anyone from verifying these claims or assessing Pastor Wang's current physical condition.
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Pastor and Assisting Church Members Detained
One of the many house churches in China.
Photo: ChinaAidChinese authorities have reportedly arrested the pastor and seven other members of the Beijing Jiaquan Church – an influential house-church network with congregations in Beijing and various other areas of the country. While specific details are still emerging, concerns continue to grow for those affected.
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Two-Day Raid on An Underground Church
Video stills from the raid.
Photo: ChinaAidOn September 16th and 17th, Chinese authorities carried out a two-day operation against an underground church in Jinzhai County, Anhui Province. During the process, officials confiscated the believers' cell phones and ordered them to replace their worship hymns with patriotic songs that praise the Chinese Communist system.
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Arrest and Detainment of Elderly Believers
Church members gather outside the police
station, awaiting news of the detainees.
Photo: ChinaAidOver the years, the Early Rain Covenant Church has faced significant opposition, dating back to a large raid that occurred in December 2018 when more than 100 believers were arrested. The raid also involved the arrest of the church's senior pastor, Wang Yi, who was sentenced to nine years in prison. (The initially posted Persecution & Prayer Alert reporting on this situation may be accessed at accessed here.)
