Continue to pray for missing Christian

AP, ChinaAid 13 January 2011

ChinaAid president Pastor Bob Fu (far left)
and others attempt to deliver a petition
calling for Gao Zhisheng’s release.
Photo from ChinaAid

For nearly two years, Chinese human rights lawyer Gao Zhisheng has been detained by authorities (click here to learn more). His whereabouts are largely unknown, causing deep anxiety and concern among his loved ones.

In recent days, an interview with Gao was released to the press in which he discloses the torture he endured at the hands of Chinese authorities. He describes a particularly brutal period when three police officers stripped him naked and pistol-whipped him for two days and two nights. When these officers tired, they bound Gao's arms and legs and threw him on the floor until they were ready to resume.

"That degree of cruelty, there's no way to recount it," said Gao. "For 48 hours, my life hung by a thread." Gao said this was the darkest period in the 14 months he was secretly detained until his release in March 2010. But, two weeks after his March release, he again disappeared, and there has since been little news about him.

In December 2010, a worldwide advocacy effort was launched on Gao's behalf. ChinaAid coordinated a campaign with the aim of delivering 150,000 signatures to Chinese embassies around the world. It was recently reported that Chinese embassies and consulates refused delivery of ChinaAid's petition, causing disappointment among those who hoped that the campaign would raise public awareness of Gao's plight and pressure the Chinese government into action.

Pray Gao will be safely returned home at last. Pray he will continue to find comfort in the everlasting love and mercy of a Saviour who never forsakes His children. Pray Gao's family will also find refuge in God, casting all of their fears and cares on Him. Pray those involved in the petition will not be discouraged by recent events, but have enduring faith in God's justice. Pray Chinese Christians will continue to boldly proclaim the righteousness of the Lord.

You can find out more about Chinese Christians suffering for their faith at 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.