Persevering Prisoners Released from Custody

China Aid 03 July 2014

Pastor Zhang Shaojie
Photo: ChinaAid

Three believers in Henan province were recently released from prison after enduring nearly seven months in incarceration. However, another six believers from the Nanle County Christian Church remain imprisoned, including the church's pastor. The Christians were detained in November of 2013 following a land dispute between the church and the local government. (For more information on their arrests, please read our previous report.)

Yan Beibei, Fan Ruiling and Zhao Zhijun were freed on June 11th. One of the released Christians announced to a fellow believer: "It does not matter. It is normal for us to be imprisoned or to be freed. Let's continue (to spread) the Gospel."

Of the six Christians remaining in custody, Zhang Cuijuan and Zhao Junling are being held at the Nanle County Detention Centre; and Li Cairen, Zhao Guoli and Wu Guishan are being held at an unknown location. Finally, Zhang Shaojie, the church's pastor and the only detainee who has been to trial, awaits the court's decision on charges of fraud and "gathering a crowd to disrupt public order."

Thank the Lord that these three Christians have been released from prison! Pray that these believers will use their newfound freedom to glorify God and expand His Kingdom in Henan province. Please also remember the six believers who remain imprisoned. May God provide for their every physical, emotional and spiritual need, and may their release soon follow! Finally, let us also intercede on behalf of the authorities involved in this case, praying that their eyes will be opened to the truth of God's redemptive work through His Son Jesus.

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.