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Uyghur Pastor Faces Possible Church Closure

International Christian Concern 02 July 2026

Stone buildings on dry terrain; there is a snow-covered mountain in the background. — A scene from the Xinjiang region.
Photo: Wikimedia / Hiroki Ogawa (CC)

A pastor serving in China's Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region is facing possible closure of his church after authorities imposed burdensome requirements on him. The pastor, identified only as "Pastor A," leads a small house church among the Uyghur people. This particular Turkic population group is predominantly Muslim and has been subjected to significant ethnic opposition over the years. Many organizations, including the United Nations, have accused the Chinese government of human rights violations and crimes against humanity because of their persistent abusive actions against the Uyghur people.

In recent months, governing officials have increased their pressure on the congregation, placing several church members under surveillance. Local authorities also ordered extensive documentation regarding the church's religious activities, along with a large "compliance deposit" – with threats to demolish the worship facility if the demanded money was not paid in due time.

Members of the pastor's family have also encountered forms of personal opposition. Not only has the church leader's adult son been detained and interrogated about his faith, but restrictions have since been applied to the young man's daily activities and movement. In addition, the pastor's wife was summoned and pressured to sign a pledge that she would no longer participate in any religious activities.

While Christians throughout China have generally encountered increasing restrictions under the leadership of the Chinese Communist Party, the challenges facing Uyghur Christians fall within the context of severe repression – a means through which the people of this ethnic group have suffered horrific acts of violence and other abusive actions. To access previously posted Persecution & Prayer Alert reports addressing the broader persecution of Christians residing in this East Asian nation, visit our country profile.

Pray for this faithful pastoral leader and the members of his ethnic congregation in the coming days, as they face the possibility of increased action by the authorities.
Ask the Lord to mightily intervene on their behalf, allowing the church in this remote region of China to continue ministering to the spiritual and humanitarian needs of the Uyghur people.
In the meantime, may they experience the blessed hope, peace and confidence of God's abiding presence, knowing that His higher Kingdom purposes will assuredly prevail (Matthew 16:18).

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

Uyghur Pastor Faces Possible Church Closure

A scene from the Xinjiang region.
Photo: Wikimedia / Hiroki Ogawa (CC)

A pastor serving in China's Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region is facing possible closure of his church after authorities imposed burdensome requirements on him. The pastor, identified only as "Pastor A," leads a small house church among the Uyghur people. This particular Turkic population group is predominantly Muslim and has been subjected to significant ethnic opposition over the years. Many organizations, including the United Nations, have accused the Chinese government of human rights violations and crimes against humanity because of their persistent abusive actions against the Uyghur people.

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