 Pastor Zhang Mingxuan (Photo: ChinaAid) |
Police apprehended two house church pastors, Pastor Liu Fenggang and Pastor Zhang Mingxuan, on their way to visit churches for Easter on April 23. The pastors were driving from Beijing to Chengde, Hebei province, when local police stopped their vehicle at a highway exit. Both were taken to a police station and held for more than four hours. Pastor Liu was ordered to drive the car back to Beijing, under escort of authorities. Authorities drove Pastor Zhang and his wife to a local hotel, where they were still detained at last report. Pastor Zhang -- known to many as Pastor "Bike" for riding his bike across the country to encourage house church members -- has been arrested, detained and interrogated for his ministry several times in recent years (click here for more information).
Pray for peace for these detained believers. Pray authorities will repent of their unjust treatment of them. Pray Christians in China will work in unity and set their minds on Christ as they serve the Lord amid opposition (1 Corinthians 1:10). Pray religious freedom will be truly recognized throughout China.
For more on the trials facing Chinese Christians, go to the China Country Report.
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