Imprisoned Church Elder Hospitalized

ChinaAid 31 August 2023

Zhang Chunlei with his wife — Elder Zhang Chunlei and his wife
Photo: ChinaAid

Elder Zhang Chunlei, along with several other members of the Ren'ai Reformed Church, were arrested by authorities on March 16th, 2021 (see this page). The church elder's trial was held during November 2022; yet, in the months that have followed, his family received no news in regards to the verdict.

Elder Zhang's lawyer reports that the imprisoned Christian leader has been optimistic and remains in good spirits. However, he suddenly came down with a bout of cholecystitis (inflammation of the gallbladder), resulting in severe pain. Although he was sent to Sanjiang hospital for treatment in early August, at last report, there has been no update provided about his condition. This situation has raised new concerns amongst Elder Zhang's family; this time, relating to his health and well-being in prison.

Please lift up Elder Zhang and his physical condition before God's throne of grace, praying that this imprisoned believer will receive divine healing and strength. Also prayerfully remember his concerned family and church members as they await news of his well-being, asking that each one of them would experience the Lord's comforting presence and peace. Pray that Elder Zhang will soon be freed from custody and that, in the meantime, he will serve as a testimony of God's salvation and grace to all those whom he encounters during imprisonment.

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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