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A top-secret government document obtained by The Voice of the Martyrs gives proof of a concerted effort by the Chinese government against unregistered Christian churches. The document is a directive from the Public Security Bureau of Baoding to PSB bureaus throughout Hebei Province with a goal to "terminate illegal Christian activities."

The document outlined a four-part plan from August 20 to October 20, 2002, leading up to the meeting of the National Congress of the Communist Party. The first step was publicity and education, letting authorities know what are "illegal Christian activities" as well as educating the public on the problem. The next step was investigation, infiltrating the illegal Christian organizations, gaining the evidence needed as they "prepare to terminate them." For the third stage of termination, the document outlines methods to be used. "Compulsory measures, such as subpoena, penalty, ordered confessions, detention, may be taken against those core members, stubborn members and those who provide places for illegal activities. Their instruments used for illegal missionary purpose and their illegal publicizing materials should be confiscated." The emphasis was to be placed on small groups and the leadership of churches rather than on large groups to prevent trouble for the authorities. In the final stage of "summarization," the PSB referred to rewards "on the basis of performance and achievement" and criticism for those who do not perform adequately.

While not denying that they have been taking action against what they refer to as illegal religious groups, the Chinese government has been trying to be seen as a tolerant society to help their international trade. Documents such as this clearly show the true face of the Chinese government. For the full English translation of the document, click here.

Please pray for believers in China facing these kinds of pressures on a regular basis. Pray that the leaders will stand firm in spite of the persecution. Pray for those presently in prison for their faith. You are also encouraged to contact your government representatives, calling on them to take action. Contact information is available at www.vomcanada.com/links.htm.

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

The Voice of the Martyrs has learned that a well-known evangelical Chinese house church leader Xu Guoxing (Philip Xu) has been recently sentenced to 18 months of "re-education through labour" after his arrest on December 8 for leading a house church service.

Xu has previously served six years in a labour camp and was last released in July 2000. He is reported to be quite frail, so there are concerns for his health. Pray for strength for Pastor Xu. Pray for strength and protection for the millions of Christians worshipping illegally in house churches throughout China. 

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

The Voice of the Martyrs has received a report from China that a pastor was arrested when he refused to give up leadership of the church on orders from the government. According to the report received in the last week, Pastor Bian is the only pastor of the official church in Datong, Shanxi Province. He received notification on December 24 from the Religious Affairs Bureau that all Christians in his church had requested a change in leadership. According to a member of his congregation, who cannot be identified for security reasons, only 3-4 of the 4000 members wanted him removed. He was arrested on December 26 and was only released when the church threatened to go to the Datong government.

The church members are asking for your urgent prayers, as the Religious Affairs Bureau continues to investigate, looking for grounds to remove him from leadership.

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

At about 8:00 p.m. on Sunday, January 5, 2003, approximately 10 unidentified men burst into the home of Brother Hua Huiqi and his wife, Ju Mei in Beijing. Forcing all of the members of the household, including Hua's elderly parents, to lay on the floor, the attackers savagely beat the family, breaking one of the legs of Hua's 80-year-old father. They then confiscated all of the home's portable heaters, leaving the family to suffer from the cold of winter. It is believed that the intruders were either sent by the police or could even have been plain-clothes policemen. When Hua went to the police on Monday to request the return of the heaters, he was detained for several hours during which time he was beaten again. He did not receive the heaters. In a conversation with Ju Mei on Monday night, she told The Voice of the Martyrs that it was presently minus 14 degrees Celsius in Beijing.

The attack followed a peaceful protest by the family in the early hours of January 4, as they and other members of their neighbourhood objected to the cutting off of the electricity and water to their homes. Chinese authorities had taken this action when they were unable to obtain the names of various house church members from Hua when they learned that he had been responsible for collecting approximately 10,000 pieces of used clothing for distribution among poorer church members in the rural countryside.

Hua Huiqi is an active member of the house church movement in Beijing. His wife, Ju Mei was a fulltime evangelist before her marriage to Hua. They have one young daughter. Hua has been arrested and beaten several times because of his activities with the house church in China. They share their home with Hua's parents who are also Christians. Hua believes that these tactics are part of a campaign to drive him and his family out of their home into the streets, where they will be more susceptible to arrest and detention for vagrancy. Bob Fu, China analyst for The Voice of the Martyrs and a personal friend of this couple says, "It is such a tragedy that this family who only wanted to help families in need should now find themselves left beaten, cold, and potentially homeless in the winter weather. As we begin this New Year, we need to remember how much more we need to pray for the thousands of persecuted church brothers and sisters in China like the Hua family."

The Voice of the Martyrs urges Christians from around the world to remember Hua and his family in your prayers. Pray that God will protect and sustain them as they suffer the physical effects of the beating and the cold winter weather. Pray that they would know the reality of God's presence in the midst of affliction and fear. Pray that the church will be able to help them without interference from government authorities. Pray that God would soften the hearts of the Beijing authorities and lead them to repentance and even faith in Christ. Pray that Hua and his family will provide a positive and effective witness to Christ in their response to this situation.

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