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China

• Gao Zhisheng Sentenced

  Gao Zhisheng

  After a surprise guilty plea was entered on his behalf (click here for more details), the prominent human rights lawyer, Gao Zhisheng was sentenced to three years in prison. The sentence, however, was postponed for five years and was shorter than originally expected.

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

• Christian Re-Arrested

  On October 25, a training program near Urumqi in the Xinjiang Autonomous Region of China was raided by police and thirty-five Christians were detained (for more information, click here). All were released by November 26 but one of them, Lou Yuanqi, was rearrested on December 23. It is believed the arrest was to deter Christmas celebrations. Yuanqi was released on bail on December 29 pending trial.

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

• House Church Attacked

  A house church in Changqiao, Shanghai was attacked by local police on December 9, according to a December 15 report from China Aid Association. Although few details of the attack are known, reports claim that the police confiscated some of the church's belongings and one Christian, Wang Mingwei, was taken to the police station. Investigations into the incident are continuing.

  Pray that the Lord will keep brother Wang safe from harm and that He will give him boldness of faith. Pray that the persecutors will know Christ's love, forgiveness and blessing through the lives of Chinese Christians (Romans 12:14, 21).

  For more information on the persecution of Christians in China, click here.
• Gao Zhisheng Found Guilty

  Gao Zhisheng, a prominent Chinese human rights lawyer who was formally arrested on September 21 (click here for more details), was found guilty of "inciting subversion" on December 12 by a People's Court in Beijing. The conviction followed a sudden and unexpected guilty plea. The credibility of the guilty plea is questionable, however, since neither his lawyers nor his family members were informed that he was on trial until the proceedings were finished. At last report, his lawyers have been unable to visit him. Pray for the truth to come out and for this verdict to be overturned.

• Eight Christians to Stand Trial

  Ni Weimin, one of the brothers in detention Photo fromChina Aid

  Eight Christians are scheduled to stand trial on December 22 for "inciting a crowd to resist law enforcement" as a result of the destruction of a church building in July 2006 during which hundreds of Christians were beaten and many arrested (click here for more details). Shen Chengyi, Shen Zhuke, Wang Weiliang, Feng Guangliang, Ni Weimin, Guo Lijun, Shen Jianjian and Luo Bingliang are currently in detention and awaiting trial. Shen Jianjian and Luo Baoliang are out on bail. Remember these believers in your prayers during this trial. A short video showing the destruction of the church building is available on www.vomcanada.com.
• House Church Closed

  A house church assembly in Tongling City, Anhui Province was closed by the local Religious Affair Bureau (RAB) on November 26, 2006, according to a December 11 report from China Aid Association. The church leaders were then told to worship in the local Three-Self Church.

  The house church, which has approximately 200 members, was founded by Christian Brother Wang Xingquan fifty three years ago. Xingquan's daughter has recently come under pressure. Her work unit has stopped paying her salary and has threatened to fire her unless she joins the Three-Self Church. Another Christian church member was coerced into resigning from the church after his job was threatened.

  On December 5, 2006 the government held a hearing upon request of the Christians and upheld the RAB's decision to close down the church. The church members are currently holding worship services in their own homes and are preparing for further legal action to protect their right to religious freedom.

  Pray that this house church will be reopened. Pray that Chinese Christians will be encouraged to continue to meet together despite opposition (Hebrews 10:23-25).

  Ask God to continue to work in the heart of the brother who bowed to government pressure.

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

• Six Prisoners Released

  All of the Christians who were arrested near Yili City in Xinjiang Autonomous Region on October 20
  (click here for more details) were released by November 26, 2006, according to a December 11 report from China Aid Association. Four brothers had been imprisoned in a detention centre for thirty two days. One brother and one sister had also been imprisoned for fourteen days. No legal documents were issued when these Christians were arrested or released.

  During their imprisonment, the four brothers were reportedly severely tortured by other prisoners upon police instruction. Brother Tan Defu was intentionally placed in a cell with homosexual prisoners where he was sexually abused and physically beaten.

  Take time to thank God for the release of these prisoners and ask Him to heal them of their injuries.

• House Church Building Demolished
  
  In the early morning of October 26, a house church building on the campus of the Jilian Agricultural University in Changchun, China was completely destroyed, according to a November 1 report from China Aid Association. The building served as both a meeting place for the Nongda house church and a supermarket.

  According to eyewitnesses, five hundred police officers, along with several hundred peasant workers, surrounded the building at 4:00 a.m. The people sleeping inside were driven out of the building. The authorities then proceeded to destroy the main part of the building, along with the furnishings. Within an hour, there was nothing but debris. No explanation was given for the demolition.

  The Nongda church has steadfastly refused to affiliate with the official Three-Self Church and have faced repeated threats and harassment in the past.

  Pray that, despite the loss of their building, these believers will be reassured of their lasting and more precious inheritance (Hebrews 10:36, 37). Pray that Christ will be glorified as they courageously remain true to him (Philippians 1:20). Pray that their faithfulness will result in many people coming to salvation (Romans 12:14, 21).

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

• New Arrests Against Christians

  Thirty-five Christians attending a Bible training program near Urumqi in the Xinjiang Autonomous Region of China were arrested on October 26 after police raided the meeting being led by a Korean pastor from America. After twelve hours of interrogation, which was described by China Aid Association (CAA) as relatively "gentle," all were released that night. According to an eyewitness, none of the women were abused, though one man was beaten and two were fined. At last report, the American was being kept under surveillance in a hotel. Police have confiscated his passport.

  CAA has also learned that on October 20, local police arrested at least ten Christians in a home near Yili City in the Xinjiang Autonomous Region, including three Singaporeans. According to eyewitnesses, a Christian family had invited fellow believers to a blessing ceremony for their newly rebuilt house. While the Christians were singing hymns, police arrested them.

  All but five were released the next day. Those still in detention are: Brother Liu and Brother Ouyang Liang from Uramqi, Brother Li Baoming, Brother Tan Defu, and Brother Lou Yuanqi from Huocheng. The whereabouts of Ouyang is unknown. The rest are being held at the Huocheng detention centre. There are concerns that the five may be sent directly to "re-education through labour" camps.

  Ask God to fill these believers with praise in order that, through their witness, others might hear of the Lord and come to Him (Psalm 40:3). Praise God for those who have been released. Pray that those still detained would be strengthened by scripture that they have committed to memory (Psalm 119:49-56).

  For more information on the persecution facing Christians in China, click here. An encouraging story of faith in the midst of persecution in China is part of the November edition of the Persecution Report, available at www.vomcanada.com.

• Pastor Sentenced to Two Years for Printing Christian Literature

  A prominent Chinese house pastor, Pastor Wang Zaiqing, has been sentenced to two years in prison and fined $12,500.00, according to an October 20 report from China Aid Association. Zaiqing was first arrested by the local Public Security Bureau on April 28, 2006 after it was discovered that he was printing and distributing Bibles and other Christian literature to fellow believers free of charge. He has since been detained in the Number One Detention Center of Huainan City and was formally arrested on May 26 (for more details, click here).

  On October 9, the local people's court found Wang guilty of "illegal business practices," claiming that Wang failed to get the permission of the provincial News and Publication Bureau to print and distribute his Christian literature. Wang and his attorney plan to appeal the verdict to a higher level People's court.

  Pray that the appeal process will be successful. Pray that Pastor Wang will be acquitted of all charges against him. Ask God to give him wisdom as he faces his accusers (Matthew 10:19). Pray that he will take heart in the fact that Christ has overcome the world and its trials (John 16:33).

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