Twenty-Eight Christians Detained in House Church Raid

14 June 2006

Dr. Li Baiguang and Dr. Fan Yafeng On June 8, China Aid Association reported on the arrest of twenty-eight Christians in Henan Province, China on May 28. As the church members were worshiping in the home of Ms. Chen Xuelan in Xiguan Ma Jia Chang, Public Security Bureau officers raided the meeting and took them into custody. That evening, all but five were released. Ms. Liu Yuemei was released on June 1 after her family paid a fine of 1600 Yuan ($220 CAD). Ms. Chang Xinhong (35) was released a week later after she promised to pay her fine in cash. Those remaining in custody are Ms. Chen Xuelan (58), Ms. Cao Yan (55) and Pastor Li Shunmin (52).

During the raid, officers presented no documentation authorizing the raid or the confiscation of Bibles and notebooks. The Christians intend to file a legal appeal. Two prominent human rights lawyers, Dr. Li Baiguang and Dr. Fan Yafeng, have agreed to represent them.

Pray that Ms. Chen, Ms. Cao and Pastor Li will be released soon (II Corinthians 1:9-11). Pray that Dr. Li and Dr. Fan will be able to adequately represent the Christians affected by this latest raid. Ask God to protect the individuals in prison and that they would continue to share Christ with those around them, wherever they may be (I Peter 5:1-4).

For more information on the persecution of Christians in China, click here.

China

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 state

Legal system
Based on civil law system; influenced by Soviet and continental European civil law systems

Sources: 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.