Preacher Charged with "Picking Quarrels"

ChinaAid 07 December 2023

An audience is seated on wooden benches facing some individuals at the front of the meeting. — A house church in China.
Photo: ChinaAid

Chang Hao is a house church preacher in Zhenxiong, Yunnan Province. Because of his Christian faith, as well as his frequent advocacy for social justice issues, he has been interrogated by police several times. On the evening of April 14th, Chang was taken into custody by the Public Security Bureau. The believer's Bible was also confiscated by authorities, along with various other items.

For more than four months, no information had been made available regarding Chang's welfare, and his lawyer was prohibited from meeting with him. When the concerned legal representative was finally able to connect with the detained house church leader, he discovered that Chang was suffering from significant health issues, such as elevated blood sugar levels and high blood pressure. Further compounding these challenges is the fact that Chang happens to be nearsighted and struggles with an additional physical disability, yet he has not been allowed to wear eyeglasses while in custody. His wife, Yao Fazhen, who is also in poor health, has been advised by doctors that she receive medical treatment as soon as possible.

On November 28th, it was announced that formal charges have been laid against the preacher for apparently "picking quarrels and provoking trouble." The procuratorate accused him of repeatedly spreading false information and inappropriate remarks on the Internet. His case has been submitted to the Zhenxiong County People's Court for prosecution.

Chang Hao is one of the many Christians being currently incarcerated in China because of their faith in Jesus. For more details, and to review other reports on persecution in this Communist nation, go to our country report.

Prayerfully ask the Lord to help Preacher Chang by renewing his strength and advocating judicially on his behalf, in hopes of a miraculous release from custody. May this faithful servant and his wife, Yao, receive greatly needed healing, peace and comfort during their difficult time of separation. Please continue to remember the many other believers in China who are presently being detained because of their faith and ministry, as well as those throughout the country who continue to courageously gather together for worship despite the dangers.

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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