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China

• American and Chinese Church Leaders Arrested

  Four American Christian leaders, including two pastors, and approximately thirty Chinese house church leaders were arrested and detained during a fellowship gathering in Akesu city, Xinjiang province on April 19. According to an April 25 report from China Aid Association, the Chinese Christians were detained at the Akesu City detention center. Eyewitnesses saw at least two of the arrested with bleeding noses and facial bruises due to torture during interrogation. Several of the detainees have been released over the past week. Six pastors -- Xinglan Zhao, Xiurong Huang, Tianlu Yang, Chaoyi Wang, Cuiling Li, and Sijun He -- received thirty days detention for alleged involvement in "evil cult activities." The pastors also face one to three years re-education through labour. A couple of years ago, these six pastors were detained for organizing house church activities.

  At last report, the Americans, who arrived in Akesu on April 17, were still being held in an undisclosed hotel for questioning along with their translator. The U.S. Embassy is reportedly intervening in the case.

  Pray for the safety of the Christians who are detained. Pray that no further charges will be brought against the six pastors. Pray that the Chinese authorities who are oppressing Christians may experience repentance and salvation, as the Apostle Paul did. (Acts 9:1-19).

  For more information on persecution in China,click here. The feature article from the May edition of The Voice of the Martyrs Newsletter centers on China. To subscribe and read this month's feature article, click here.

• Mother of Hua Huiqi Sentenced to Two Years

  Pictures of Shuang Shuying's trial. Photos fromChina Aid

  Shuang Shuying (77), the mother of house church activist Hua Huiqi, was sentenced to two years imprisonment by the Beijing Chongwen District People's Court on February 26, 2007, according to a February 26 report from China Aid Association. She was sentenced on charges of "willfully damaging private property." She and her son have been arrested since they were attacked by police on January 24, 2007 (click here for more details).
• Hua Huiqi and Mother Formally Arrested

  Photo fromChina Aid

  Church activist Hua Huiqi and his elderly mother, who were attacked by local police in Beijing last month (click here for more details) have been formally arrested, according to February 9 and 10 reports from China Aid Association. Hua was arrested on February 8 and charged with "obstruction of justice." His mother was arrested on February 9 and charged with "willfully damaging public and private property." Pray that these charges will be dropped and pray for these two imprisoned believers.

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

• Liu Fenggang Released

  Liu Fenggang and son Picture fromChina Aid

  Well-known Beijing house church activist Liu Fenggang (48) was released and returned to his home on February 5, 2007 after serving three years in a Zhejiang prison, according to a February 7 report from China Aid Association. Liu was arrested on October 13, 2003. He was sentenced to three years in prison on charges of "providing national intelligence to overseas organizations" in August 2004 (click here for more).  Liu was hospitalized five times during his imprisonment due to lack of proper treatment for his heart condition and diabetes.  Thank God for Brother Liu's release and ask God to give Liu healing.
• House Church Raided, Church Activist and His Mother Attacked

  Hua Huiqi, his wife and his parents Photo fromChina Aid

  Reports of two separate attacks against Christians in China were received by VOMC in the past week.

  On January 24, local police raided a house church worship service in Zhangchong, Anhui, according to a January 26 report from China Aid Association. Eyewitness reports claim that officers from the Public Security Bureau (PSB), the local police station, the criminal police squad and the Religious Affair Bureau broke into the house at approximately 10:00 a.m. All of the Christians present were photographed and asked to give their names and identities. The police confiscated Bibles, hymn books and various other church items, such as sound equipment, without any legal procedure. Three church leaders were taken to the police station and interrogated. They were released after being warned that their church is not allowed to meet without registering with the government.

  On January 26, a well-known church activist, , and his 76-year-old mother were attacked by the local police in Beijing, according to a January 27 report from China Aid Association. Hua and his mother were walking near a 2008 Olympic hotel site at approximately 8:00 a.m. when police stopped them, threw them to the ground and started kicking them. When Hua asked the police to explain the legal grounds for their detention and to release his ill mother, they beat him repeatedly. To add to his misery, the police poured freezing cold water poured over him in the frigid weather before he was taken to a detention center.

  The following day, the police contacted Hua's wife by telephone and told her that her husband had been sentenced to one month of criminal detention. Hua's family has yet to receive official notice regarding his detention.

  Along with being active house church Christians, Hua and his wife also assist persecuted Christians and oppressed lower class peoples who travel to Beijing in order to appeal for justice from the central government.

  Pray that Hua will be released. Ask the Lord to heal him and his mother of their injuries. Pray that members of the raided house church will be encouraged to continue to meet together despite increasing government opposition (Hebrews 10:23-25). Pray that those who persecute Christians in China will know Christ's love, forgiveness and blessing through the lives of His followers (Romans 12:14, 21).

  For more information on the persecution facing Christians in China,click here.
• Arrested Church Leaders Released: Update

  The nine house church leaders who were arrested in the village of Chencun, Henan province on January 6, 2007 (click here for more details) were released on January 20, according to a January 26 report from China Aid Association. The church leaders were not given any legal certificate of their arrest, detention or release. Local Christians believe that police deliberately refused the Christians any legal evidence of their detention in order to prevent possible lawsuits. Thank the Lord for the release of these believers. Pray that their persecutors will be brought to justice.

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

• Christian Gathering Raided

  On January 6, the local police from Yongfeng Township in Henan Province raided a Christian gathering held in the village of Chencun, according a January 15 report from China Aid Association. At approximately 4:00 p.m., police broke into the house where fourteen Christians were gathered and declared the meeting "cultic" and "illegal." Police then arrested eleven Christians and brought them to a police station for interrogation. Two of the Christians were released the following day. At last report, the rest were still in detention. The names of some of those detained are: Ju Xiang (48), Liu Xiaoduo (42), Wang Sheqin (40), Fu Juyi (36), Hong Xia (37), Xue Xianghuo (49) and Xue Xiaona (34), are also among those detained.

  Pray that the remaining believers will be released. Pray that the Christians in China will be encouraged to continue meeting together regardless of persecution (Hebrews 10:23-25). Pray that their passion for Christ will draw nonbelievers to Him.

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

  Dr. Li Baiguang and others have faced opposition from police recently

  This past week brought two attacks on Christians by local police in China, according to January 8 report from China Aid Association.

  On January 1, the local police raided a Christian Bible Study in Baoding City, Hebei province. The Christians were gathered in a Communist Party school when police arrived at approximately 10:00 a.m. The police took over forty Christians away to be interrogated, including well-known Christian legal activist Dr. Li Baiguang and vice president of the school and Professor Gung Sude (50), who was hosting the study.  Although most of the group was released that evening, Sude was released after several days of investigation. She is currently under tight surveillance.

  On January 4, the local police attacked a Christian meeting in Anlou village, Henan province. They brought three Christians to the police station, including a house church seminary lecturer, An Wenqing. Two of them were released that day but Wenqing was released on January 5 after fourteen hours of police interrogation.

  Pray for those who were imprisoned and interrogated and ask that their trust in Christ will overshadow any fear. Pray that Christians in China will continue to meet together and find mutual encouragement and support (Hebrews 10:23-25).

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

• Christmas Services Disrupted

  Pastor Cai with some of his church members

  In the past week, China Aid Association reported on two instances in which Chinese authorities disrupted Christmas celebrations.

  On Christmas Eve in Beijing, approximately 150 young Christians had gathered to celebrate Christ's coming when Public Security Bureau officers and officials from the Religious Affairs Bureau stormed the gathering. All those present were videotaped and forced to register their ID numbers. The officials declared the meeting an "illegal religious gathering" and warned them not to meet again. The house church was previously led by Pastor Cai Zhuohua, who is presently serving three years in prison for printing Bibles.

  On December 29, a house church in Duolun County, Inner Mongolia was raided by local police and Religious Affairs Bureau officials. They declared the Christmas celebration an "illegal gathering" and detained three of the church leaders, sentencing them to fifteen days administrative detention. Those arrested were Sister Liu Guanghua (42) Sister Zhi Huiping (41) and Sister Zhi Ruiping (35). All of them are being held at the Duolun County Detention Centre.

  Pray that the Chinese Christians will not be discouraged by disrupted celebrations but instead have increased boldness in the face of persecution (Acts 4:29-31). Pray that those who persecute will come to know Christ's love and forgiveness through the lives of these Christians (Romans 12:14, 21). Pray for the release of those detained.

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

• Eight Christians Sentenced

  After a hearing that lasted almost twelve hours on December 22, the eight house church Christians from Zhejiang who were arrested last July (read the story) were given sentences ranging from one year to three and a half years in prison. The sentences for four of the Christians were postponed which suggests that they may be released. During the trial, one of those sentenced, Shen Chengyi (75), lost consciousness and was taken to hospital for treatment.

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