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China

• Human Rights Lawyer Released

  
  Li Heping (right) next to his brother,
  Li Chunfu, after his release.

  After nearly two years in prison, Christian human rights lawyer Li Heping returned home to his family this May. Li was arrested in July 2015, along with a group of other attorneys, for defending evangelical believers and others targeted by the government. Li was convicted of "subversion of state power" in a secret trial and was tortured repeatedly during his two-year imprisonment.

• Government Surveillance Forced Upon Churches

  
  The gate of Changlin
  Church lies in ruin after
  authorities demolished it.
  Photo: ChinaAid

  The government in China's coastal Zhejiang Province recently ordered that surveillance equipment must be installed in churches, permitting officials to easily monitor church activities. While there are claims this is to be done as a necessary "safety" and "anti-terrorism" precaution, officials have taken into account whether or not these churches have previously resisted the cross demolitions during a province-wide campaign, stating that more agents will be sent to opposing sites where necessary. Previous reports on the demolition of church crosses are available here.

  At the beginning of March, authorities in Zhejiang demanded that the province's Three-Self Churches install surveillance cameras, dispatching officials to forcibly set up the devices if the order meets with refusal. From March 21st to 24th, hundreds of police officers converged on Changlin Church in Wenzhou, Zhejiang, in order to carry out this task, beating any Christians who resisted their efforts.

  A local Christian said the church members questioned why they needed additional surveillance since the Three-Self Churches are already heavily monitored and policed by the government. Some Christian women stationed themselves outside the church, fearing a possible church demolition, and were seized for their resistance until the cameras were set up. Officials also destroyed the church's reception desk and other parts of the building, including the church's gate.

  On March 23rd, Shengai Church in Pingyang County, Wenzhou, issued a statement accusing the government of violating their privacy, disrupting the internal affairs of religious organizations, and breaking laws by installing the cameras. The church claimed the government had no legal basis for these actions, further stating that officials need to obtain permission of the church or they would otherwise be exercising an abuse of power and violating religious freedom.

  Pray that the members of these churches will continue to make the most of every opportunity by faithfully attending church services, encouraging one another in the Christian faith, and corporately worshipping the Lord together so they can experience increased unity and strength. And rather than the surveillance cameras being used as a potential snare, may they effectively benefit all who are watching -- touching the hearts of the government officials and blessing them with the hope and truth of God's infallible Word. Additionally, as the pastors and church leaders deal with the governing authorities, may their speech be seasoned with wisdom and grace...that they may know how to appropriately respond to each one.

• Baptismal Services Reflect Church Growth

  
  A church in Beijing
  Photo: Flickr / Brian Kelley

  On March 26th, 2017, a total of 45 new believers were baptized at the Beijing Chaoyang Church. These new Christians are now attending a weekly follow-up course that will last for a duration of three months. Each of these baptismal participants are required to take the three-month course so they can learn the essentials of the Christian faith and discuss these foundational Biblical principles with the pastoral staff.

  Beijing Chaoyang Church was established on September 12th, 2005, and a dedication ceremony was held in December of that same year. At the time of this report, the number of people who attend the church's Sunday services has dramatically increased from more than 600 since its inception to well over 4,000 congregants. As a result of the tremendous growth, two other baptismal services are scheduled to take place at the end of July and November of this year. Praise God for this phenomenal influx of new believers in Beijing!

• Pastor Sentenced to Prison

  
  Pastor Yang Hua
  Photo: ChinaAid

  On January 5, 2017, Pastor Yang Hua of Living Stone Church in Guizhou was sentenced to two-and-a-half years in prison. The day of his trial, police blocked the road in front of the court, and members of the public were barred from entering. Also, Yang's wife, Wang Hongwu, was "forcibly escorted" back to her apartment by officials who patrolled outside her home for the rest of the day.

  Pastor Yang, also known as Li Guozhi, was formally arrested more than a year ago on suspicion of "divulging state secrets." (Charges relating to "state secrets," often levelled at activists and dissidents, can entail certain restrictions, such as family members not being allowed to attend the trial.) Wang says her husband plans to appeal the recent sentence.

  The imprisoned pastor had previously been placed in administrative detention in December 2015 for "obstructing justice" and "gathering a crowd to disturb social order" before being put into criminal detention for "illegally holding state secrets." Church members perceive this as part of an attempt by the authorities to pressure the church into registering with the state or face closure. Currently, the circumstances in which legal stipulations are carried out eradicate all churches not controlled by the government, as was the case for the Living Stone Church.

  Additionally, authorities imposed a fine that accrued to 110,296 Yuan ($20,956 CAD) between November 22nd and December 8th, 2016. They alleged that the church's members deviated from the approved use of their building, even though the Christians consistently reported all activities. For past reports on Pastor Yang's situation, visit this page.

  Please uphold Pastor Yang and his family, praying that they will not be discouraged. Rather, may they rest in God's great love and mercy, knowing that His higher purposes will be fulfilled. Ask the Lord to also be with the church members as they move forward, seeking direction regarding a place to worship and how they can support one another. May they receive divine wisdom, direction and the empowerment to faithfully continue serving Him. Pray that the flames of God's Spirit will move all across China -- transforming the hearts of many!

• Suspect Circumstances Lead to Activist's Death

  
  Peng Ming
  Photo: ChinaAid

  Family members are demanding an independently conducted autopsy following the mysterious death of an imprisoned Christian and veteran human rights activist. Peng Ming, a pro-democracy dissident, known for establishing the China Development Union and publishing a work offering suggestions to China's development model (referred to as The Fourth Monument), allegedly fainted on November 29th while watching television. Subsequently, he was rushed to hospital.

  Prison officials phoned his brother, who had visited Peng just three days before, relaying the shocking news to him. By the time the notified brother reached the hospital, Peng had already been declared dead and transferred to a funeral home.

  However, authorities did not issue a death certificate, leaving the cause of his death unclear. As a result, Peng's family members have demanded an autopsy by an "international, independent medical authority acceptable to the family," and stated that a similar procedure conducted by the Chinese government will not be considered conclusive.

  Following the government's ban on the China Development Union, Peng was sentenced to 18 months of re-education through labour on a charge unrelated to his political activities. In August of 2000, he was released and fled to Thailand, where he was granted refugee status until he was resettled in the United States a year later. There, he was baptized at a San Francisco church in July 2002.

  When Peng returned to Thailand in 2004 to visit his aging parents, Chinese special agents devised a plan to lure him into Burma and abduct him back to China. Once he arrived in his homeland, he was charged with organizing and leading a terrorist organization, kidnapping and possessing counterfeit money. As a result, Peng was given a life sentence. Officials are now warning his overseas family members not to attend the funeral. To learn more about the persecution of believers in China, see our country report.

  Pray that God will greatly comfort Peng's grieving family, and that their request for an independent autopsy will be respectfully honoured. May the realization that Peng is now in the presence of our loving Lord -- and, therefore, no longer suffering -- bring them great hope and consolation. It is our desire that Peng's testimony will be mightily used by the Lord to extend His Kingdom and glorify His name throughout the world.

• Pastor Released After Seven Years' Imprisonment

  
  Yang (centre) on the day of her release.

  Yang Rongli, pastor of a mega house church network in the northern Chinese province of Shanxi, was thankfully released from prison on October 10th. Yang and her husband, Wang Xiaoguang, had been arrested in 2009 while visiting their hometown of Linfen to protest the government's demolition of a house church. Yang is now joyfully reunited with her husband whose release took place back in October 2012.

  During her time at the Shanxi Women's Prison, Yang suffered from two kidney stones, in addition to developing diabetes and a heart condition. Despite her suffering, she continued to preach to Christians in the prison and even invited prison officials to listen. Despite everything she has endured, Yang is reportedly positive and bears no resentment.

  On November 25th, 2009, the couple and three other believers were convicted of "gathering a mob to disturb public order" after organizing a prayer rally. Yang was sentenced to seven years' imprisonment, and her husband was sentenced to three years. Together, they were fined a total of 40,000 yuan (approximately $7,780 Canadian).  Five days later, they were ordered to serve in a labour camp for two years.

  Yang, a 1982 graduate of Linfen Normal College, was retained by the college to teach because of her excellent academic record. She had also worked as an editor and reporter prior to going into ministry. To review a previously posted prayer alert report on the pastoring couple's arrest and sentencing, go to this page.

• Christian Magazine Editor Under Investigation

  The Chinese government has shut down a quarterly Christian magazine that encourages the faith of up to 100,000 believers and provides information on recent incidents of persecution. The underground magazine, Ai Yan (which translates as Love Feast), benefits thousands of urban underground churches, as well as rural house churches.

  Recently, police have closed the factory that prints Ai Yan and arrested the owner. The editor, who is also under police investigation, subsequently decided to temporarily suspend the publishing of Ai Yan. She is hoping to begin printing a second magazine titled, Show the Way.

  Thank you for upholding the arrested printer, asking God to mediate on behalf of this case. Pray also that the editor, who is presently under investigation, will find a way to print the second magazine, "Show the Way," while "Ai Yan" is suspended. May the printing and distribution of Christian publications in China resume without government interference so unity can be promoted among the country's numerous believers and encouragement provided for their ongoing spiritual growth.

• Pastor Endures Poor Treatment in Detention

  
  Yang Hua preaching in an undated photo.
  Photo: ChinaAid

  Lawyers representing incarcerated church pastor Yang Hua discovered during a recent visit with their client that he has been suffering from serious health conditions. Yang, who has been in police custody since December 9th of last year for "divulging state secrets" and other falsified charges, is experiencing pain due to a liver condition and additional major health concerns.

  Previously, China Aid had received a report from Yang's lawyers, Chen Jiangang and Zhao Yonglin, confirming his poor treatment at the hands of government officials. According to an interview Chen and Zhao conducted with Yang, prosecutors visited him twice, applied pressure to his feet, and repeatedly threatened to kill him and harm his family members if he failed to confess his supposed crimes. After obtaining this information, the lawyers sued the prosecution team, accusing them of "using torture to extort a confession," and requested that the prosecution receive legal repercussions.

  Yang's lawyers originally understood that his trial would take place soon after the admittance of evidence to the courts. However, as of yet, no trial date has been announced. More information on the challenges facing Christians in China is available here.

  Please pray that Yang will be renewed in spirit, soul, mind and body. May he sense the nearness of our Almighty God's reassuring presence, filling him with greater confidence and faith during this time of trial. Also intercede for Yang's lawyers as they advocate what we hope will be a fair trial and Yang's release so he can receive greatly needed medical attention. May God's peace, strength, wisdom and favour be upon Yang, his loved ones, as well as those representing him, in Jesus' all-powerful name.

• Released Lawyer Under Surveillance

  
  Zhang Kai
  Photo: Zhang Kai via ChinaAid

  Security officials have been noticed near the home of Christian lawyer Zhang Kai, and they appear determined to put him back behind bars. Zhang was released from detention this March after being held eight months for representing Zhejiang churches in opposition to the government's forceful removal of their crosses. More about the cross removal campaign can be found here.

  In February, while still in detention, Zhang participated in a televised interview where he seemed to criticize fellow lawyers who had been arrested during China's recent crackdown on human rights activists. Then, on August 30th, a statement retracting that criticism appeared on Zhang's social media feed. It said he had been forced to smear his fellow lawyers, including Zhou Shifeng, who was sentenced to seven years in prison for "subversion." (A report on Zhang's arrest is available at this page.)

  "It was a forced act out of fear and I'm retracting all of my comments," the statement said. Zhang's social media account has since been deleted. Now Public Security Bureau officials are monitoring his home.

  Pray that Zhang Kai will know God as his "fortress, rock and deliverer" (Psalm 18:2). May he experience the Lord's perfect peace and protection. Please intercede for all who are affected by this crackdown on China's churches, including the lawyers trying to represent them. Ask God to touch the hearts of the governing officials involved so that they may also seek the truth of the Gospel and receive His gift of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ.

• New Believer Thankful for God's Word

  
  Chinese Christians treasure
  the Bibles that they
  have been given.

  A Christian believer in China recently sent The Voice of the Martyrs ministry a letter of thanks after receiving a Bible during a VOM-sponsored Bible distribution. Wang Xiuling wrote:

  "Thank you for your selfless love and offering which enabled many people here to get Bibles, the precious words of God. To be honest, I have never read through a book in the Bible. I only had a superficial knowledge of God's words. I have not believed in the Lord for long. I am still young in my spiritual life. I hope that I can read God's words carefully this time."

  We appreciate your prayers on behalf of Wang, as well as other recipients of VOM's Bible distribution in China, that they may receive the fullness of God's Word -- and thus increase in their faith and knowledge of our Lord Jesus.