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• Update: Pastor Zhang and wife released

  Pastor Zhang Photo fromChina Aid

  After several weeks of threats and attacks on the Zhang family by Public Security Bureau officials (click here for more), Pastor Zhang "Bike" Mingxuan, his wife, and his sister-in-law were released from detention on October 27, according to a November 6 report from China Aid Association. Pastor Zhang's sons, Jian and Chuang, who were beaten by officials on October 16, have been forced to vacate their Beijing apartments and are residing in Nanyang city, Henan province.

  For more information on the persecution of Christians in China, click here.

• House churches banned in Yichun city

  Photo of house church meeting fromChina Aid

  House churches in Yichun city, Heilongjiang province, China were banned in mid-October, according to an October 29 report from China Aid Association. Verbal orders to end all house church activity came from both provincial and central government agencies.

  Ask God to give strength and boldness to Christians in Yichun city. Pray that believers will continue to meet together despite opposition (Hebrews 10:23-25).

  Learn more about China's persecuted Christiansclick here.

• Update: Zhang family remains under fire

  Zhang Jian after the beatings Photo fromChina Aid

  Pastor Zhang "Bike" Mingxuan and his family continue to face pressure from Public Security Bureau (PSB) officials in China. According to an October 28 report from China Aid Association, Zhang Jian, who was brutally beaten on October 16 (click here), was recently threatened by PSB officials with imprisonment unless he agreed to sign a document stating that his injuries were minor. Fearing separation from his wife and one-year-old son, Jian consented. Pastor Zhang, who hadn't been heard from since the attack, contacted Jian by telephone on October 22. He confirmed that he is being detained but was unable to give the details of his detention. Pastor Zhang's wife, Xie Fenglan, and sister have been placed under "soft detention" in a PSB-operated Beijing hotel. Their cell phones have been confiscated and their travels restricted.

  For more information on the opposition facing Christians in China, visit theChina Country Report.

• Pastor Zhang and family targeted by authorities

  Zhang Jian after the beatings Photos fromChina Aid

  Chinese authorities continue to target underground church leader Pastor Zhang "Bike" Mingxuan and his family, according to reports from China Aid Association. At noon on October 16, while Pastor Zhang was away from home, approximately 15 Public Security Bureau officials barged into his and his wife’s legally rented apartment and began throwing their belongings out into the street. His wife, Xie Fenglan, urgently phoned their oldest son, Zhang Jian, for help. Jian arrived to find authorities knocking his mother to the ground. When he tried to shield her from their blows, he was beaten with iron bars. Xie Fenglan phoned for an ambulance, but was informed that a government-issued order forbade dispatching one for relatives of Pastor Zhang. She then phoned her other son, Zhang Chuang, for help. When he arrived, he too was beaten by the officials. A family friend eventually brought Jian to the hospital where he regained consciousness. He suffered a broken nose and may never regain sight in his right eye. Jian left the hospital with Chuang because PSB officials were watching him. However, the brothers continued to be threatened by officials and were warned not to leave Chuang's apartment until a Chinese House Church Alliance celebration, scheduled for October 20 and organized by their father, was over.

  It is suspected that Pastor Zhang has been detained by authorities. Police recently used garbage to block the entryway to the church building where he preaches. Xie Fenglan was evicted from their home and at last report has been residing with another house church leader because authorities ordered hotels to refuse her shelter.

  Pray for the Zhang family as they face many trials for their faith in Christ. Pray for an end to the crackdowns on Chinese Christians (2 Thessalonians 1:3-4).

  For more information on the plight of Chinese Christians, visit theChina Country Report.

• Pastor Zhang and wife released

  Pastor Zhang "Bike" Mingxuan Photo fromChina Aid

  Pastor Zhang "Bike" Mingxuan and his wife, who were arrested along with another pastor on August 6 (click here for more details), were released in Henan province on August 29. According to an August 29 report from China Aid Association, the couple spent three weeks in "forced vacation" and had to stay at four different resort locations throughout their captivity, accompanied by government officials. They were reportedly treated well during their detention. The couple is prohibited from returning to Beijing until the Paralympics end on September 16. Pastor Zhang, a well-known evangelist and president of the Chinese House Church Alliance, said that even under captivity he actively evangelized and defended the rights of house churches believers to his captors.

  Praise the Lord for the release of these believers. Ask God to guide and embolden Pastor Zhang and other church leaders serving Christ in China.

  For more information on the persecution of Christians in China, visit theChina Country Report.

• Prominent church leader arrested

  Pastor Zhang "Bike" Mingxuan Photo fromChina Aid

  According to an August 6 report from China Aid Association, Pastor Zhang "Bike" Mingxuan, President of the Chinese House Church Alliance, has been arrested along with his wife and another pastor, Wu. Pastor Zhang was on his way to deliver medicine to his ill wife when he was detained. At last report, all three were being held in a Public Security Bureau office in Zhengzhou City, Henan.

  Pray for the release of these three believers. Pray that they will be a testimony to those imprisoning them. Pray for the health of Pastor Zhang's wife during her detention.

  For more information on the persecution facing China's Christians, go to the China Country Report.

• House church pastor escapes from police custody

  Pastor Hua Huiqi Photo fromChina Aid

  According to reports from China Aid Association, Pastor Hua Huiqi and his brother, Hua Huilin, were illegally arrested by the Chinese police at approximately 6:00 a.m. on August 10. The brothers were on their way to attend a service at the Kuanjie Church, which President Bush was scheduled to attend, when they were apprehended. During a lapse in security, Hua Huiqi was able to escape police custody around noon. Hua Huilin was released later that afternoon.

  Pray for guidance and wisdom for these believers. Pray that the spiritual leaders in China will remain faithful to the task God has given them, knowing that they will receive the crown of life (1 Peter 5:1-4).

  For more information on the persecution of Christians in China, go to the China Country Report.

• Health of book store owner deteriorating

  Shi Weihan and his family Photo fromChina Aid

  China Aid Association is reporting that the health of Shi Weihan, a Beijing book store owner and house church leader, has been deteriorating since his imprisonment four months ago (click here for more details). Poor prison conditions and refusal of diabetes medication have contributed to Shi's decline. He has reportedly lost more than 10 kg in body weight amidst the constant physical and psychological torture employed by prison officials. Recently Shi was coerced to sign a confession convicting him of "engaging in the printing and distribution of a large number of illegal publications." The charges stem from Shi's printing of Bibles and Christian literature which were sold at his Beijing Christian bookstore, but were deemed "illegal" by Beijing authorities because the books were not printed by the officially registered Three Self Patriotic Movement Church.

  Remember Shi Weihan as he languishes in detention. Pray that God would sustain his health. Pray for his release.

  More information on the persecution facing Christians in China can be found atChina Country Report.

• Chinese House Church Alliance Leader Evicted in Beijing

  Pastor Bike Zhang Photo fromChina Aid

  Pastor Bike Zhang, Chairman of the Federation House Church and his wife, Xie Fenglan, were evicted from their home in Chaoyang district by Public Security Bureau officials on July 6, according to a July 18 report from China Aid Association. The couple took up residence in a friend's home until they were again evicted by officials and forced to relocate to a hotel in Guo Xian town. On July 14, officials ordered the hotel owner to evict the couple or face incarceration. Zhang and Fenglan then left for the district of Changping but were stopped by police and taken to a government office where they were interrogated and denied food, drink and rest for several hours. Fenglan eventually collapsed due to the torture.

  At last report the couple was living on the streets after police forced them out of two other locations. Their expulsion from Beijing is reportedly in response to Pastor Zhang's meeting with American officials, which Chinese authorities see as "destroying the harmony of the Beijing Olympic Games."

  Pray for protection for this couple. Pray that they will be assured of the Lord's never-ending love, even in the midst of trying circumstances (Ephesians 3:14-19). Pray for the nation of China and the Chinese church at large as the Olympics are to begin soon.

  For more information on the persecution of Christians in China,click here.

• Christian Literature Confiscated, Believer Detained in Shandong Province

  Last week it was reported that Pastor Zhang Zhongxin was sentenced to two years "re-education through labour" in the city of Jining, Shandong province on June 4. Several members of his church have since come under fire from authorities, according to a July 21 report from China Aid Association. On July 14, Chinese officials along with an "anti-cult group," seized Bibles and other religious literature from Mr. Lu Xiaoai. That same day, the police broke into the home of Mr. Li Dali in the district of Rencheng and confiscated Christian materials. Also, police detained Mr. Lian Dehai and raided his home for Christian materials.

  Pray for the release of Mr. Dehai. Pray that these Christians will continue to stand firm in their faith in the face of pressure and intimidation (Acts 5:29).

  For more information on the persecution of Christians in China,click here.