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China

• Pastor Loses Appeal, Family Members Forced to Flee Country

  Pastor Zhang Shaojie Photo: ChinaAid

  Pastor Zhang Shaojie, who was sentenced in July to 12 years' imprisonment and ordered to pay a hefty fine, has lost his appeal of the false charges. Pastor Zhang is the leader of Nanle County Christian Church in Henan, which belongs to the state-sanctioned Three-Self Patriotic Movement. In November and December of 2013, Pastor Zhang and over 20 others were detained without formal documentation after a group of church members attempted to petition a higher authority about a land dispute involving the church. Fortunately, on August 22nd -- the day after Pastor Zhang's appeal was rejected -- one of the four other Christians remaining in detention was released on bail pending trial. (For more information on Pastor Zhang's charges, please visit our website.)

• Released Christian Requires Ongoing Prayer

  Gao Zhisheng Photo: ChinaAid

  Gao Zhisheng, a Christian human rights lawyer who has faced ongoing persecution from authorities, was released from prison on August 7th. However, despite the joyful news, this faithful Christian advocate is suffering severe consequences due to his time in detention. Gao was first arrested in 2009, then released briefly in 2010, before disappearing shortly thereafter. In 2011, state media reported that he had been jailed again for violating probation rules. (For more information on Gao's imprisonment, visit this page.)

• Gao Zhisheng to be Released from Prison Next Month

  Gao Zhisheng

  Prison authorities recently announced to the family of human rights lawyer Gao Zhisheng that he will be released next month. In a recent interview, Gao's wife, Geng He, shared that her husband's brother had managed to contact Shaya Prison, where Gao is being held, to request a visit. The prison authorities told Gao's brother that the detained Christian would be released on August 7th after finishing the required time in prison. However, the authorities did not respond to the inquiring brother's request to collect Gao from prison on his anticipated release date, explaining later that the prison needed to contact Beijing to work out the specifics of the release. Concerns remain about the degree to which the authorities will grant Gao genuine freedom in August, and whether his release will be subject to conditions or restrictions.

• Two More Believers Released

  Zhao Guoli and Wu Guishan, two believers who were imprisoned for their faith in Henan province, were released on July 5th! The two Christians were apprehended in November of 2013, along with approximately 20 others. While we rejoice in this good news, please continue to pray for the four others who remain detained, including Pastor Zhang Shaojie, who was recently handed a 12-year prison sentence. (For more information, please visit this page.)

• Wrongly Accused Pastor Handed Lengthy Prison Sentence

  Pastor Zhang Shaojie Photo: ChinaAid

  Zhang Shaojie, the pastor of the Nanle County Christian Church, was sentenced on July 4th to 12 years in prison and also fined 100,000 yuan (approximately $17,000 CAD).

  Pastor Zhang was detained in November of 2013 after he met with authorities in the church -- a meeting that turned out to be a set-up in order to detain the pastor. He was later charged with gathering a crowd to disrupt public order and fraud. Several other Christians were also apprehended at the time. Thankfully, three of these imprisoned believers were released in June; however, along with Pastor Zhang, five others remain behind bars. (For more information on their arrest, please visit this page.)

• Persevering Prisoners Released from Custody

  Pastor Zhang Shaojie Photo: ChinaAid

  Three believers in Henan province were recently released from prison after enduring nearly seven months in incarceration. However, another six believers from the Nanle County Christian Church remain imprisoned, including the church's pastor. The Christians were detained in November of 2013 following a land dispute between the church and the local government. (For more information on their arrests, please read our previous report.)

• Persecution Continues in Zhejiang Province

  The cross topping Baixi Church in Yueqing County, Wenzhou, was removed on May 6, 2014. Photo: China Aid

  Churches throughout the province of Zhejiang are continuing to endure opposition from authorities. In total, more than 100 churches have faced various forms of pressure in recent weeks.

  In April, the Sanjiang Church was completely destroyed. (For more information on this demolition, visit our website.) Additional churches have been threatened with demolition even if they only share about the opposition they are facing with any outsiders or if they support other area churches.

• Church Building Destroyed by Government Officials

  The walls of Sanjiang Church being pulled down Photo: ChinaAid

  On April 28th, government officials demolished the Sanjiang Church in Wenzhou, Zhejiang province, despite a previous agreement that the building would remain largely untouched. While these officials have implied that the state-approved church was demolished because the building was much larger than permitted, many local believers view it as an attack on the growing Christian population.

• Pastor's Trial Indefinitely Suspended

  Pastor Zhang Shaojie Photo: ChinaAid

  The trial for an imprisoned pastor charged with "fraud" and "disturbing public order" began on April 10th, only to be suspended indefinitely due to the high tension and the dismissal of his lawyers.

  Pastor Zhang Shaojie, who belongs to a state-sanctioned church in Nanle County, Henan Province, was detained in November of 2013 without any formal documentation after church members petitioned a higher authority about a land dispute involving the church. Over 20 church members were also detained. (For more information on his arrest, click here.)

• Detained Christian Leads Fellow Prisoners to Christ

  Wenxi Li

  During a recent visit with his family, imprisoned believer Wenxi Li excitedly shared that several more prisoners have become Christians after hearing the Gospel message! Previous to this, while awaiting his trial last year, Wenxi had led three other prisoners to Christ.