After intense international media pressure, the four American church leaders who were arrested along with thirty Chinese church leaders in Akesu city, Xinjiang on April 19 (click here for more details) were released last week, along with their translator. According to a May 2 report from China Aid Association, all five have returned home. Several Chinese church leaders, however, remain detained, including six pastors. It is suspected that the six will receive harsh sentences because of their connection with the Americans. Persecution of Christians in the Xinjiang area has reportedly been on the rise since the April 19 arrests. Americans Released, Chinese Leaders Remain Detained
After intense international media pressure, the four American church leaders who were arrested along with thirty Chinese church leaders in Akesu city, Xinjiang on April 19 (click here for more details) were released last week, along with their translator. According to a May 2 report from China Aid Association, all five have returned home. Several Chinese church leaders, however, remain detained, including six pastors. It is suspected that the six will receive harsh sentences because of their connection with the Americans. Persecution of Christians in the Xinjiang area has reportedly been on the rise since the April 19 arrests. - 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.
