Updates on Pastors John Cao and Wang Yi

Police presence at John Cao's trial. - Photo: ChinaAid www.chinaaid.org
There was a strong police
presence at John Cao's trial.
Photo: ChinaAid

It was recently reported that the appeal hearing for American/Chinese pastor John Cao had been cancelled, for the court was to instead make its decision based solely on written submissions (see this report). On July 25th, the outcome of the court's decision was to uphold the original seven-year sentence. Due to a heavy police presence, only Pastor John Cao's elderly mother and sister, along with his lawyer, were allowed to hear the verdict.

Pastor Wang Yi of the Early Rain Covenant Church faces up to 15 years in prison on charges of "inciting subversion of state power." He remains in prison following his arrest in December 2018 (read more). To further compound his legal situation, he has now been accused of conducting "illegal business activity," due to claims that the church had sold Bibles and books without a proper license. According to ChinaAid, Pastor Wang Yi has been unable to confer with his lawyer since his initial arrest.

Please uphold these two unjustly charged church leaders, as well as the many other believers in China who are facing imprisonment for their faith. Pray that the courts will allow them proper legal representation and that God's justice will ultimately prevail in each of their situations. May every Christian facing opposition, uncertainty and fear in this Communist-governed country receive the ministry of God's abiding presence, peace, help and hope.

  • 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.

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China News

  • Preacher of Early Rain Church Faces Harassment
    Wu Wuqing
    Preacher Wu Wuqing
    Photo: ChinaAid
     

    Since December 2018, the Early Rain Covenant Church in Chengdu, China, has been subjected to repeated raids and ongoing oppression from Communist Party authorities who seek to shut down the influential unregistered church. Though the church's pastor, Wang Yi, is serving a nine-year prison sentence, members of the church continue to boldly reach out with the Gospel message.

    Read more...

  • Pastor John Cao and Colleague Detained for Conducting Baptisms
    John Cao is baptizing a believer.
    Pastor John Cao baptizing a believer.
    Photo: ChinaAid
     

    On March 4th, Pastor John Cao was released from imprisonment in China after serving a seven-year sentence. Since his release, the pastor has longed to return to the United States, where he holds permanent residency, in order to reunite with his wife and family there. However, the Chinese government has prevented Pastor John from leaving the country by withholding his ID card and passport. (Read more.)

    Read more...

  • Pastor John Cao Blocked from Leaving China
    John Cao is holding up a sign with Chinese lettering.
    Pastor John Cao holds a sign that reads: "I am a Chinese
    citizen, and I love my country, but I don't have an ID card." 
    Photo: ChinaAid

    After serving seven years in a Chinese prison, Pastor John Cao was finally released on March 4th of this year (see this page). Despite his release from custody, the Christian leader is not truly free, as the authorities are refusing to give him an ID card and passport. According to Todd Nettleton from the Voice of the Martyrs USA, an ID card is required for most transactions in China – whether it involves travel or making a doctor's appointment. "You can be arrested if the police ask you for an ID card and you don't have one," he explains.

    Read more...

  • Bible Study Meeting Raided in Inner Mongolia
    Believers are singing hymns at the Xuan'en Church.
    Xuan'en Church
    Photo: ChinaAid

    On the morning of July 17th, several Christians from the Xuan'en Church in Hohhot, Inner Mongolia, were gathered for a Bible study when the meeting was suddenly interrupted by a raid. The intruding officials, who were sent by multiple agencies, recorded the names and phone numbers of the attending Christians and ordered them to end the meeting – based on the grounds that they are not part of the government-sanctioned Three-Self church. Since this was considered a first offence, the believers were issued a warning.

    Read more...

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