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China

• House Church Pastors Detained in Inner Mongolia

  Two house church pastors, Sun Chuan Min (27) and Sun Shi Ying (24) were detained by members of the Arong Qi Security and Religious Affairs Bureau in the city of Daqing, Inner Mongolia on May 1, according to a May 6 report from China Aid Association. Both were taken to the local police station. Officials also confiscated a video camera, books, food supplies and other items from the Daqing church.

  Pray that these pastors will be released. Pray that their passion for Christ will be the light that draws others to Jesus (Matthew 5:14-16).

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

• Jailed Bookstore Owner Facing New Charges

  Shi Weihan and his family Photo fromChina Aid

  Shi Weihan (37), a Chinese Christian bookstore owner who was re-arrested on March 19 on charges of "illegally" printing and distributing Christian literature, faces new charges of being a "dangerous religious element," according to an April 28 report from China Aid Association. Weihan was first arrested on November 29 and released in early January due to insufficient evidence (for more details click here). There remains concern for his health in prison as he is a diabetic and officials have refused him medical treatment.

  For more updates on Shi Weihan and the opposition facing Christians in China, go to theChina Country Report.

• Bookstore Owner Re-Arrested

  Shi Weihan and his family Photo fromChina Aid

  On November 29, Shi Weihan (37), a Christian bookstore owner, was arrested on charges of "illegally" printing and distributing Christian literature (click here for more details). In early January, he was released due to "insufficient evidence." On March 19, however, Weihan was re-arrested on the same charges, according to an April 22 report from China Aid Association. He is being held without access to his family. His wife is concerned for his health in prison as he is a diabetic.

  Learn more on the persecution of Christians in China. Go to theChina Country Report.

• Uygur Christians on Trial

  Wusiman Yiming Photo fromChina Aid

  Two Uygur Christians are currently on trial for their faith, according to an April 14 report from China Aid Association.

  In September, Wusiman Yiming was sentenced to criminal detention for "divulging State secrets" by the State Security Bureau of Southern Xinjiang in the city of Hetian. Last November, he was sentenced to two years "re-education through labour." His family hired an attorney to file an appeal, which was approved on March 20. His appeal trial is scheduled for April 16 at Kashi People's Court. There is considerable concern for Yiming's health as he suffers from malnutrition and a serious hand injury.

  Also in September, Alimujiang Yimiti, a married father of two, was charged with "illegal religious activities" and taken into custody on accusations of "subversion of the National Government and endangering national security." Officials are expected to announce Yimiti's sentence by the end of April. If convicted, he is subject to capital punishment.

  Pray that Yiming's appeal will be successful. Pray that Yimiti will not be convicted. Pray that these believers and their families will remain faithful and entrust the final outcome to the Supreme Judge (Romans 12:9-21).

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

• House Church Leaders Detained At approximately 3:00 p.m. on March 29, authorities disrupted a house church worship service in Qu county, Sichuan province and detained seven house church leaders, according to an April 7 report from China Aid Association. Two of the leaders have since been released.

  The following day, authorities detained 10 female leaders and four children who were attending a Sunday school class in Qu. All of the children and five of the leaders have since been released. Two believers are currently serving a sentence of 15 days administrative detention. Six female leaders remain detained on accusations of belonging to an "evil cult." If convicted, the leaders could face sentences of up to three years "re-education through labour."

  Pray that the detained leaders will be released. Pray that God will open doors of opportunity for them to clearly share the gospel for which they suffer (Colossians 4:2-3).

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

• Christian Bookstore Owner Released

  Zhou Heng with his family Photo fromChina Aid

  On August 3, Zhou Heng, a well-known house church leader and manager of the Yayi Christian Book Room, was arrested and detained when he went to pick up three tons of Bibles at a bus station in Xinjiang. On August 31, Heng was formally charged, arraigned on charges of "illegal business operation" and imprisoned to await trial. According to an April 8 report from China Aid Association, however, Heng was recently released after a court determined there was no sufficient evidence to prosecute him.

  During his imprisonment, Heng was reportedly beaten severely by inmates and prison guards. He is now recuperating at home with his family.

  Thank the Lord for Heng's release. Pray for strength and healing for him. Pray that he will be emboldened by the fact that God commends those who suffer for doing good (1 Peter 2:20-21).

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

• The Religious Liberty Partnership Calls for Prayer for China

  In a historic move, key organizations that work with the persecuted church around the world launched a global campaign calling for prayer for China. In what is called "The Zurich Statement," the Religious Liberty Partnership (RLP), with member organizations that include Open Doors International, Christian Solidarity Worldwide, The Voice of the Martyrs (Canada), and the Religious Liberty Commission of World Evangelical Alliance, has called the worldwide Christian community to pray for China during this Summer Olympics year.

  The Zurich Statement acknowledges some important progress made in China over the past few decades and raises the hope that this will translate into the removal of remaining obstacles to the full expression of faith and an end to serious violations of religious freedom. In addition, the Statement recognizes potential of the Chinese nation as a significant political and economic force for the furtherance of regional and global peace.

  To download a copy of The Zurich Statement, click here.

  To learn more on the persecution of Christians in China, go to theChina Country Report.

• Church Leaders and Christian Youths Detained

  At approximately 12:00 a.m. on February 18, Chinese police disrupted a gathering of 250 Christians in the home of a believer in Shangqiu City, Henan province. Eighty of the believers present were detained. According to a March 3 report from China Aid Association (CAA), ten of these Christians have since been released. The 70 who remain detained are being held on charges of "making use of a cult to violate law enforcement." Police also confiscated blankets, goods, air conditioners and furniture from the believer's home.

  On February 28, 11 youths and two adults were detained by Xinjiang Public Security Bureau (PSB) officials while attending a house church Bible study in Huocheng County, Qingshuihe township. The believers were held at the Qingshuihe township PSB office and released at approximately 10:00 p.m. on February 29. CAA has reported that three of the youths have recently been re-arrested and sentenced to 15 days detention.

  Pray for the release of these Christians. Pray that they will faithfully share God's grace with those around them while detained and continue to give themselves fully to the work of the Lord (1 Corinthians 5:50‑58).

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

• Church Leaders Detained in Inner Mongolia

  Photo of house church fromChina Aid

  The president of the Inner Mongolia Branch of the Chinese House Church Alliance, Wang Dawei, was detained along with more than 40 of his co-workers on February 20, according to a February 21 report from China Aid Association. The leaders were in the third day of a Bible study meeting in Xilinhaote, Inner Mongolia, when more than 100 police officers from the State Security Bureau (SSB) and members of the Religious Affairs Bureau disrupted the meeting and detained them. Police officials also confiscated the money that was collected in the offering and more than 30 boxes of Bibles and other Christian literature. Later that afternoon, SSB members searched Dawei's residence. The leader of the meeting, a South Korean minister, was also detained during the incident. His whereabouts remain unknown.

  Pray that these leaders will be released. Ask God to give them strength and boldness of faith as they suffer for Him. Pray that the Chinese authorities who are oppressing Christians may experience repentance and salvation (Acts 9:1-19).

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

• Update on Arrested House Church Leaders

  A house church meeting Photo fromChina Aid

  On December 7, Chinese police arrested 270 house church pastors gathered for a Bible study meeting in Linyi, Shandong (click here for details). According to a February 19 report from China Aid Association, 249 of these pastors have since been released after paying fines and serving detentions ranging from a few days to a few weeks. The 21 church leaders still detained were recently given labour camp sentences ranging from three years to one year and three months. The seventeen men and four women have been accused of being members of an "evil cult." Their family members have yet to receive any written notification regarding the Linyi City Re-education through Labour Commission's decision.

  To learn more on the persecution of Christian in China, go to theChina Country Report.