Imprisoned Pastor Highly Respected

Pastor Geng Zejun
Pastor Geng Zejun
Photo: ChinaAid

In August 2022, Pastor Geng Zejun was sentenced to 15 months in prison for "organizing illegal gatherings." Despite opposition from Chinese Communist Party officials, the church led by Pastor Geng refused to join the government-controlled Three-Self Patriotic Movement and was therefore deemed illegal.

In the months following his sentencing, Pastor Geng has experienced health problems and his family was banned from visiting him. However, recent reports indicate that fellow inmates, and even prison guards, are treating the pastor with utmost respect. In the prison, those issued a red vest are required to work the night shift. However, Pastor Geng alone has been given a green vest, exempting him from conducting any night work. People in the prison have come to refer to the revered Christian man as "Pastor" and frequently approach him for discussions and to get his advice.

The pastor's family members continue to seek permission to visit him, even though they have been banned from doing so since his initial arrest on December 5th, 2021. At first, pandemic restrictions were used as an excuse to keep them away, but the authorities have since simply cited "rules and laws" as their reason. For additional reports on Chinese Christians who are being detained because of their faith, and to learn how you can specifically pray for them, go to our country report.

Pray for strength on behalf of Pastor Geng as he continues to faithfully endure this time of incarceration. Praise God that, like Joseph in the Bible, the Lord "showed him steadfast love and gave him favour in the sight of the keeper of the prison" (Genesis 39:21). Please pray that this dedicated servant of the Lord will continue to receive divinely appointed opportunities to reach fellow inmates, as well as prison guards, with the powerful message of Jesus Christ. Additionally, may Pastor Geng's family and church members be able to rest in the assurance of God's abiding presence with them as they await his hopeful soon release.

  • 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.

China News

  • 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.