Detained Pastor's Family Faces Harassment

Since 2021, Pastor Chang Shun of the Maizhong Reformed Church in Fuyang City has encountered ongoing harassment from Chinese authorities. Unfortunately, all his appeals, in response to the multiple administrative detentions and fines he received over the years, have been unsuccessful. In 2023, Pastor Chang's church was officially banned by the government. Most recently, the harassed church leader was detained on June 29th during a raid by law enforcement officers. In this latest occurrence, he was taken into custody alongside Elder Ma Tao on suspicion of "organizing illegal gatherings." Several visiting friends and family members of Pastor Chang were also detained. Authorities forcibly relocated the visiting individuals, loading their belongings onto trucks and sending them back to their hometowns with strict orders not to return to Fuyang.

Since the raid, Pastor Chang's wife, Li Yunyan, has suffered ongoing police intimidation. Surveillance cameras were installed at the door of the couple's residence, and a tracking device was placed on her car. In addition, the lock on their front door had been changed without notice, and the water supply to their home was cut off. The Christian woman also reports often being followed when she leaves her residence. Li is particularly concerned for the safety of their two young children and has expressed growing unease over the constant surveillance. In an open letter, Li calls on Christians around the world to pray for her family's situation. Reports on other incidents of persecution in China are available at this country profile.

• Pray for God's protection and peace over Pastor Chang, Elder Ma and the other church members who were detained because of their faith in Christ.
• Additionally, please prayerfully uphold Li and the many other followers of Jesus in China who are experiencing harassment and intimidation from Communist authorities, asking that these believers and their loved ones would also be divinely shielded from harm and further encouraged to continue trusting in Him.
• May the testimonies of faithful believers shine brightly amid the country's spiritual oppression, leading many more seekers of the truth to recognize God's Light – as ultimately revealed through the miraculous life, death and resurrection of His Son Jesus.