Additional Arrests Involving Members of Linfen Church

Three adults and a child inside a building, using a chalkboard.
Inside the Linfen Covenant House Church.
Photo: ChinaAid

On August 19th, a family camp run by the Linfen Covenant House Church was raided by police, leading to the arrest of two preachers. (Read more.) Since their arrest, members of the church have faced severe pressure from governing authorities to corroborate the charges of "fraud" against the two men. The congregants were also pressured to pledge that they will never attend the church again. Most refused but, after intense coercion from members of their workplace and family, some were forced to sign statements claiming that they were "victims" of the alleged fraud.

On October 28th, it was reported that Wu Tingting, a worker in the church, had been detained, apparently due to accusation of fraud. Her family has not received any phone calls nor an official notice of her arrest from authorities.

On the morning of November 1st, Wang Qiang, another staff member of the church, disappeared without notice. After searching for him to no avail, Wang's family contacted the Public Security Bureau but did not receive a clear answer regarding his whereabouts. Finally, his wife Wen Huijuan, who is currently seven months pregnant and caring for their other child at home, received notice the following afternoon that he has been placed under "residential surveillance at a designated location" on suspicion of fraud.

Please prayerfully uphold the four mentioned church workers who are currently being detained, as well as their concerned families and fellow congregant members. Pray that the Lord will minister to each one of these harassed Christians, filling them with His peace and the strength they need to endure this time of trial and uncertainty. Additionally, remember those who are being forced to comply with the accusations against their fellow church members, asking the Lord to grant them wisdom and encouragement as they endeavour to persevere in their faith and honour Him by doing what is right in the midst of governmental pressure.

  • 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.

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  • 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

  • Chen Wensheng Sentenced to 19 Months
    Chen Wensheng is smiling.
    Chen Wensheng
    Photo: ChinaAid

    Chen Wensheng is no stranger to arrests and police intimidation. A radically reformed former drug addict, the Christian evangelist has travelled throughout China to share his testimony, gaining the nickname of "Gospel Warrior." (See these other reports about this faithful believer.)

  • New Health Concerns for Elder Zhang Chunlei
    Zhang Chunlei with his wife
    Elder Zhang Chunlei and his wife
    Photo: ChinaAid

    Zhang Chunlei is an elder with the Ren'ai Reformed Church in Guiyang, China. He was detained in March 2021 and remained in detention without charge until his trial in November 2022, when he was accused of "inciting subversion of state power." The trial was held in secret, without any witnesses, and a verdict has never been announced since then. In the meantime, Elder Zhang continues to remain imprisoned. (Review previously published reports about this church leader's case.)

  • Persistent Harassment Against Church Deacons
    Ding Shuqi and Jia Xuewei
    Jia Xuewei (right) with his friend, Ding Shuqi
    Photo: ChinaAid

    In 2018, the Early Rain Covenant Church was violently raided by Chinese Communist Party (CCP) authorities, resulting in multiple arrests. Since then, members of the church have continued to face harassment, including a church deacon named Jia Xuewei. Click here for previous reports on Jia's situation.

  • High Security for Trial
    Chen Wensheng is smiling.
    Evangelist Chen Wensheng
    Photo: ChinaAid

    The case of Chen Wensheng was heard by the Hengyang City Shigu District People's Court on April 18th. However, when Chen's relatives and friends arrived that morning to attend the trial, they found about 40 black-clad special force officers guarding the entrance of the court building. In addition, the entire street was blocked off under the pretext of performing a "drill" so that any supporters could be prevented from attending the trial. Despite aggressive actions by the police, Chen's supporters are reported to have demonstrated "patience and calmness."