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China

• Pastor of State-Run Church Released!

  
  Zhang Chongzhu
  Photo: ChinaAid

  The pastor of a state-run church in China's coastal Zhejiang province was released at noon on May 9th after an eight-month detention. Authorities took Zhang Chongzhu, the pastor of Pyongyang Three-Self Patriotic Movement Church, into custody on September 8, 2015. The detained Christian leader, who spent most of the year resisting a government-backed cross demolition campaign, was charged with "stealing, spying, buying, or illegally providing state secrets or intelligence to entities outside China."

  This same charge was given to Zhang Kai, a human rights lawyer who legally defended churches affected by the demolition efforts. Both men had been scheduled to meet with the U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for Religious Freedom, David Saperstein, causing members of Zhang Chongzhu's church to suspect a correlation between this meeting and his detention.

  To review a report on the recent release of Zhang Kai, click here. For previously posted reports on the cross demolition campaign, you may also wish to check this page.

  Rejoice with us over the release of these steadfast brothers in Christ, who have suffered in prison for standing up for our God. It is not an easy task to remain firm in one's beliefs when trouble arises, but we are reminded in His Word that believers who do so will be rewarded in eternity. Please pray for those who wish to remove all signs of Christianity from China’s landscape. May they witness the strength and compassion of Jesus Christ through the lives of His children and, as a result, personally experience His transforming love as well.

• Tragic Incident at Church Demolition

  A church that was demolished in China.

  The wife of a church leader in the central Chinese province of Henan was tragically buried alive underneath the rubble of their demolished church where she suffocated and died. On April 14th, a demolition team was instructed to destroy the Beitou Church in Zhumadian in order to pave the way for new developers to take ownership of the lucrative property.

  In an attempt to stop the destruction of the building, church leader Li Jiangong, accompanied by his wife Ding Cuimei, stood in front of the bulldozers. The demolition workers purposely continued with their work, eventually burying the couple underground. Li Jiangong dug his way up to the surface but, unfortunately, he was unable to save his wife in time.

  A member of the demolition team was heard to have said just before the incident: "Bury them alive. I will be responsible for their lives." The two demolition workers were later criminally detained by the local authorities because of pressure from the media. Other reports on persecution in China are available at our online country report.

  Pray that the Lord will bring an overwhelming sense of comfort, peace and strength to the surviving church leader, Li Jiangong, and his family as they come to terms with their sudden great loss. Ask that He would also make His loving presence known to the believers of Beitou Church, so they will experience tremendous comfort during this difficult time as well. May this tragedy be used by the Lord to bring attention to the plight of the suffering church in China and, additionally, to reach those desperately in need of His forgiveness and salvation -- including the very ones responsible for the crime.

• Human Rights Lawyer Released

  
  Zhang Kai (right) in Washington, D.C.
  Photo: ChinaAid

  It was announced that Zhang Kai, the lawyer who was detained in southeastern China for defending churches affected by a provincial government's anti-cross campaign, has been recently released by the police. While he and his family could not be reached for a comment, China Aid, a Christian rights group based in the United States, has confirmed his release.

  Zhang was detained last August in Wenzhou, a commercial city of Zhejiang province that's known for its strong Christian influence. However, for the past two years, officials have been waging a campaign enforcing the removal of crosses from church buildings across the province. To learn more about the cross demolition campaign, click here.

  A brief message posted to Zhang's account on the WeChat social network announced that he was back home: "I have returned to my home in Inner Mongolia safely. Thank you to all my friends for your concern, caring and...consolation. And thanks to the Wenzhou police who have taken care of me during this time." Information on Zhang's arrest and charges is available at this page.

  We can rejoice along with others around the world -- especially our Christian brothers and sisters in China -- who are offering praises to God for His intervention in the safe release of Zhang Kai, and for the guidance and care that was provided throughout this Christian lawyer's imprisonment. Pray that the Lord's peace and guidance will continue to be with Zhang as he adjusts to life beyond the confinement of prison walls. May God's divine intervention also be evident in the lives of others in Zhejiang who are experiencing challenges due to their Christian faith, blessing them beyond measure for their faithfulness in the midst of trial.

• More Crosses Forcibly Removed in Zhejiang

  
  A demolition crew removes
  the cross atop Dajing Church.
  Photo: ChinaAid

  The Chinese government, which continues in its attempt to eliminate the power of Christianity, has removed four more crosses from atop various churches. The city of Wenzhou has been the primary target of the regime as the Zhejiang province is considered the 'Jerusalem of the east' due to its number of thriving churches.

  According to China Aid, the number of crosses destroyed in Zhejiang as a result of the campaign has now reached an estimated 2,000; with 49 of them having been removed in the province since the beginning of 2016 alone. (A previous report on the situation may be reviewed at this page.) To prevent congregants from halting the demolition process, government officials have even opted to wait until the churches are vacated at night to dismantle the crosses.

  Churches protesting against the cross removals have had their water and electricity cut off, forcing services to be held elsewhere as the buildings are deemed unusable. Despite government notices and orders being plastered on church doors, believers have taken risks in their efforts to stop the advance of demolition crews. Church leaders and others opposing the campaign have been taken into custody, some never to be heard from again. For information on China's mysterious "black jails," click here.

  Please join us in praying on behalf of all those affected by the extensive anti-cross campaign throughout the Zhejiang province. May these Christians be greatly encouraged by the Lord who promises to continue His vigilant ministry among them. While the governing officials may try to remove the churches' crosses from the country's skyline, they will never succeed at eradicating Christianity. In fact, we believe that God will bring about even more exponential spiritual growth and revival! Pray that the 'Light of the World' will shine ever so brightly through these believers' lives, illuminating God's truth to such an extent that it will revolutionize the hearts and minds of multitudes in need of our Risen Saviour – including the officials responsible for the anti-cross campaign!

• Pastor Jailed for Social Media Prayers Freed

  
  Yan Xiaojie
  Photo: ChinaAid

  On February 2nd, authorities released Pastor Yan Xiaojie of the China Christian Evangelic Mission in Wenzhou city after serving five months in criminal detention. Public security bureau officials originally apprehended Pastor Yan on August 26, 2015 for circulating prayer requests on social media concerning churches that were being targeted for cross removal in the Zhejiang province.

  After Pastor Yan had been given an eight-day administrative detention, he was placed under criminal detention "indefinitely" under suspicion of "gathering a mob to disturb social order." An elder of the church, Cheng Chaohua, who had been detained the day after Yan, was thankfully released last December.

  To date, there are still eight other believers from Zhejiang province remaining in detention. Seven of them are church elders or their wives, including prominent Pastor Gu "Joseph" Yuese. The eighth is Christian lawyer Zhang Kai who has been held in an unregistered jail since July of 2015. A previous report on the case of the prominent Beijing-based lawyer, and his efforts against the cross-removal campaign, can be reviewed at this page.

  Meanwhile, the congregation of Haicheng Christian Gathering in Wenzhou received an official warning about a month ago that the cross on their premises would also be removed. Prior to receiving notification, the building's electricity and water supply had been cut off.

  May the Lord honour and vindicate these faithful believers of China's Zhejiang province who are standing strong in the face of adversity and imprisonment. Pray that their efforts will not be in vain but rather used as a catalyst in bringing about a greater awareness of the tremendous spiritual needs within their country and, ultimately, an outpouring of God's Spirit and resulting revival. Please also intercede for the provincial officials who have instigated and participated in the cross removal campaign, as well as the demolishing of churches, in hopes that they too will experience a reverential fear of the one true God.

• Church-Affiliated Kindergarten Director Released

  
  Cheng Jie and her husband,
  Du Hongbo, with their young children.
  Photo: Du Hongbo via ChinaAid

  Having served two years in prison for allegedly "engaging in illegal business operations," the director of a church-run kindergarten in China's southern Guangxi region was released on February 17th. Cheng Jie, who provided leadership for the Hualin Foreign Language Experimental Kindergarten, was picked up after being released from prison by her husband and two young sons.

  Local authorities had arrested Cheng at the school on February 18th, 2014. Four months later, on June 24th, Guangxi officials crossed the border into the neighbouring Guangdong province and detained Huang Quirui, an elder of the church that founded the kindergarten. Along with Huang, authorities detained Li Jiatao, another church member and mother of two young children; and Fang Bin, the man who was contracted to print the textbooks for the school.

  Officials alleged that all four had engaged in "illegal business operations" by printing character-education textbooks without government approval, and then selling the books rather than using them solely for internal use. The lawyer defending the four detainees countered that the books were sold for an amount that only allowed the kindergarten to break even for the printing costs and that authorities were targeting the school because it was founded by a church. A previous report on this case is available here.

  We can join fellow believers globally in praising God over the good news of Cheng's release, and the resulting joyful reunion she is now able to enjoy with her husband and children. As she transitions from imprisonment to resume life once again with her family and community, may Cheng experience God's wonderful work of healing and restoration. In fact, may she be granted even greater opportunities to proclaim the Gospel there in China and in many other parts of the world through the sharing of her testimony. In the meantime, please uphold Huang and Li as they await their release from prison which we trust will take place soon.

• Pastor Released From Black Jail

  
  Huang Yizi (left) just following
  his release from a black jail.
  Photo: China Aid

  Authorities have recently released a church pastor in China's southeastern coastal Zhejiang Province. Pastor Huang Yizi, who was detained since September 12th in what is referred to as a "black jail" had been accused of "stealing, spying on, buying or illegally providing state secrets for institutions and people outside the country."

  The term, "black jail," is used to describe "residential surveillance in a designated location." Considered a more severe form of holding than "criminal detention," individuals under residential surveillance are held in undisclosed locations. Since no outside contact is allowed, those detained in "black jails" are not permitted to speak with family members or legal representatives for the duration of their confinement. A previous report relating to this topic can be found here.

  While we can praise God for Pastor Huang's release, pray that he will be undaunted by the obstacles he has faced. May he instead be further strengthened and imbued to more effectively resume his ministry. Let's also uphold the other Christians still being detained in this manner, as well as their concerned families, asking that they be encouraged to remain steadfast in their faith, drawing even closer to the Lord during this difficult time of trial. May the government's unrelenting pressure on churches and their leaders not cause the believers to waver spiritually or become discouraged. Rather may they be more fervent in their resolve to follow Christ, serving as vibrant witnesses to those around them who are desperately in need of God's eternal salvation.

• House Church Shut Down by Government Officials

  
  This small house church in Dazhou,
  Sichuan, has experienced opposition
  from governmental authorities.
  Photo: China Aid

  A Chinese house church has been ordered to close down by local officials in Dazhou, Sichuan province. According to our sources, it is not surprising to see such actions taken by the Communist Party of China as they continue to juggle the massive rise in Christianity among their citizens.

  However, members of the house church are questioning the legality of the closure. In regards to the official registration of churches, Chinese regulations specify that if a congregation consists of fewer than 50 people, registering with the state is not required.

  The Chinese church has faced a multitude of persecution cases over the years. The most recent include the systematic removal of crosses and church buildings in Zhejiang province, which has seen approximately 1,500 crosses removed and nearly 400 buildings destroyed. For a previous report on this situation, please go to this page.

  During this time of heightened opposition in the Sichuan and Zhejiang provinces, may the Lord grant additional courage and strength to the members of the house church facing forcible closure as they present their case to governing officials. May those representing the church members have the wisdom and direction required to effectively mediate on their behalf. Ask that the hearts of the officials be receptive to God's promptings and justice so His people are permitted to freely worship Him in spirit and in truth. Also pray that the house churches in China will function together with a greater sense of unity (Psalm 133:1; John 17:23), and that the anti-cross campaign in Zhejiang province will cease and thus prevent any further demolition of churches.

  To post a prayer on behalf of the persecuted church, please go to VOMC's prayer wall.

• Sisters Released After Repeated Detainment

  
  Officers detain members of the Daguan
  house church in a raid on May 24th.
  Photo: China Aid

  Three sisters from China's southwestern Guizhou province who were detained in mid-October for worshipping God in their home have been released, although other members of their house church are still awaiting a final decision from the court. An anonymous member of the Daguan house church stated on November 22nd that the women were released from their administrative detention after serving a 15-day sentence. The only reason given for the detention was that they had "violated the public security administrative punishment law." In a previous incident, the same three women were detained in June for "illegal assembly" and "organizing cult activities." Thankfully, in that situation as well, they had been granted release after serving a short detention.

  A brother related to the three women is still presently in detainment, along with four other Daguan house church members. Authorities detained these five Christians during two separate raids which took place on May 24th and June 7th. The June raid had occurred during a church meeting in one of the believers' homes. The legal procuratorate involved decided that the evidence provided by the public security bureau was insufficient and, therefore, the case was returned to the bureau for further investigation.

  Unfortunately, remaining members of the Daguan house church, which was founded 13 years ago, have not gathered since the raids took place earlier this year for fear of retaliation. "We dare not meet," one of the Christians admitted while referencing due concern over the consequences. "We would get arrested immediately." Other reports on religious persecution in China can be reviewed at this page.

  Despite the injustices these Chinese Christians have endured, may the Lord reassure them of His abiding presence -- filling them with an even greater hope in Him and an increased love for others, so that even in prison their gentleness will be evident to all (Philippians 4:5). As members of the Daguan house church and other congregations in China await the release of detained friends and loved ones, may they be able to continue their times of fellowship together...faithfully meeting as unto the Lord. In the meanwhile, please pray that further attacks against these believers will falter, and those who oppose them will realize the error of their ways and turn from evil.

• Detainment of Christians in 'Black Jails'

  The entrance to what is refered to as a "black jail." Photo: ChinaAid

  Authorities placed at least 20 Christians under residential surveillance in China's coastal Zhejiang province over the past two months. In China, "residential surveillance in a designated location," also referred to as a "black jail," is a more severe form of holding than "criminal detention." Individuals under residential surveillance are held in undisclosed locations, and they're not permitted to speak with family or legal representation.

  Two Zhejiang cities in particular, Wenzhou and Jinhua, have had more than 20 people placed under surveillance between August 25th and October 24th, according to an anonymous Christian leader in Zhejiang. The source noted that the names of those detained in Jinhua have not been released and that the number was likely to be more than the 20 currently known. "This is entirely outside the law," another source in Wenzhou attests. "These are the actions of totalitarian regimes."

  For many of those being held, the justification for the residential surveillance is on "suspicion of stealing, spying, buying and illegally providing state secrets and intelligence." Because this charge involves national security, authorities refuse to let lawyers speak with those under surveillance. For a previous report referencing the secretive detention of Christians in Wenzhou, click here.

  Please join us in upholding the surprising number of Christians and church leaders presently under residential surveillance, praying that they will remain faithful to the Lord, regardless of the pressure or pain they experience. More specifically, ask that these believers will seize every opportunity that's available to witness to others during their custody. May they not in any way become discouraged or embittered but rather filled with renewed hope and optimism so that the government's increasing efforts to restrict them will serve to further strengthen their faith and devotion to our Lord Jesus Christ...and greatly promote the Gospel!

  Do not miss the opportunity to pray on behalf of the persecuted church with fellow believers around the world on Sunday, November 8th. For more information on this year's International Day of Prayer and how you can participate, please click here. Be sure to share this information with others of your church and prayer group.