Update: Pastor Zhang released; Pastor Hua still detained

14 October 2009

Pastor Zhang and Pastor Hua
Photos from ChinaAid

The Voice of the Martyrs received new information on October 8 from ChinaAid regarding Pastor Zhang "Bike" Mingxuan and Pastor Hua Huiqi, two prominent Chinese pastors who have been under fire from authorities in recent months.

Pastor Zhang and his wife, who were forcibly escorted from their home on September 23 by officials (read the story), were released and returned to their Beijing home on October 4. The couple, who were detained to "preserve stability" during China's National Day celebrations, were unharmed during their internment. They expressed their thanks to those who upheld them in prayer.

More details have been learned about the condition and whereabouts of Pastor Hua Huiqi, who was arrested by officials on September 17 (click here for more information). On September 22, officials escorted Pastor Hua to a hospital in Beijing to visit briefly with his ailing brother. Five days later, his wife, Ju Mei, was able to visit him in prison. She reported that her husband was in good condition and had begun a time of praying and fasting.

To learn more about the persecution of believers in China, visit the China Country Report.

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.