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China

• Officials detain and interrogate Pastor Zhang Mingxuan

  Pastor "Bike" Zhang Mingxuan Photo from ChinaAid

  At approximately 6:00 a.m. on March 21, police arrested Pastor "Bike" Zhang Mingxuan, leader of the Chinese House Church Alliance, in Yanjiao town, Hebei province, according to an April 7 report from ChinaAid. Pastor Zhang was staying at the home of a local Christian man after baptizing a believer when more than a dozen police officers arrived. The authorities took Pastor Zhang to the local police station where he was searched, interrogated and threatened with death. Bank cards and three cell phones were confiscated. Three hours later, Pastor Zhang was handed over to Public Security Bureau officials who questioned him about his recent travels. Pastor Zhang's belongings were eventually returned, except the debit card for an account containing 150,000 yuan ($27,123 CAD). He was released at approximately 5:00 p.m.

  Pray for strength and protection for Pastor Zhang. Pray that he and other believers facing trials for their faith will find comfort in the fact that God commends those who suffer for doing good
  (1 Peter 2:20-21).

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

• Priest beaten in mayor's office

  On March 16, Father Francis Gao Jianli (39) was attacked while at the mayor's office in Xiangong town, Chencang district, China, where he had been invited to discuss a disputed church property. The land in question was seized during the Cultural Revolution and a factory was opened on the site. The factory has since shut down and both the church and the district government's property management office have made claims of ownership. When the government began to work on the land, hundreds of believers gathered on the site in protest. Father Jianli was summoned by the mayor to address the issue but was instead badly beaten by two men. At last report, Father Jianli remained in hospital in Baoji city and was under police surveillance.

  Pray for a complete recovery for Father Jianli. Pray that the Lord will continue to strengthen Chinese Christians in their hearts, minds and bodies as they face opposition for their faith.

  Learn more about China's suffering Christians at theChina Country Report.

• Update on detained Uyghur Christian

  

  The case of Alimujiang Yimiti, a Uyghur Christian who was arrested on January 12, 2008 on charges of "endangering national security" (read the story) has been sent to a Chinese Communist Party committee at the highest government level in Xingjian Uyghur Autonomous Region. ChinaAid recently received a letter from Yimiti's wife which revealed that authorities have been passing the case back and forth between law enforcement agencies since his trial in late May 2008 and denying him any contact with his family.

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

• Update: ''Insufficient evidence'' found against pastor

  Photo from ChinaAid

  Pastor Lou Yuanqi, who was arrested in May on charges of "inciting separatism" (click here for more details), remains imprisoned despite a judge's verdict of "insufficient evidence," according to a March 6 report from ChinaAid. After Pastor Yuanqi's trial on December 15, his 18-year-old daughter was beaten by court police when she tried to speak to him. Pastor Yuanqi suffers from hepatitis B and the harsh prison conditions have reportedly worsened his health.

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

• Update: House church leaders released

  Due to international pressure, four Chinese house church leaders who were arrested while attending a seminar in Henan province on February 11 (click here for more) have been released. According to a February 24 report from ChinaAid, the leaders were all freed by February 20.

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

• House church leaders arrested in Henan province

  At least 60 house church leaders, including two South Korean pastors, were arrested while attending a seminar in Wolong district, Henan province, on February 11, according to a February 16 report from ChinaAid. Approximately 30 police disrupted the meeting, arrested the Christians and confiscated phones, books and money. Authorities forced the believers to register and pay a fine. Some of the elderly believers were then released. Police from the home provinces of the church leaders were summoned to Henan to escort the Christians to local detention facilities. The South Korean pastors were expelled from China on February 14 for "engaging in illegal religious activities" and have been banned from entering the country for five years. On February 16, two more house church leaders were released after authorities received calls from foreign journalists. At the time of the report, four leaders remained in detention.

  Pray for the release of those detained. Pray that Christians in China will continue to stand firm in their faith in the face of opposition (Acts 5:29).

  To learn more about those suffering for Christ's sake in China, go to theChina Country Report.

• Update: Prominent Christian lawyer seized by officials

  Photo from ChinaAid

  Gao Zhisheng, a Chinese human rights lawyer who has come under fire in recent years for his work defending underground Christians (click here for more details), was forcibly taken from his hometown in Shaanxi province on February 4. According to ChinaAid, his current whereabouts are unknown and there is serious concern for his safety. On February 9, a letter written by Zhisheng detailing the brutal treatment he endured while detained for over 50 days in 2007 was released to the international community. Click here to read this letter.

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

• Update: Shuang Shuying released from prison

  Photo from ChinaAid

  Shuang Shuying (79), who was sentenced in February 2007 to two years in prison on charges of "willfully damaging private property" (click here for more information), was released from detention on February 8. According to ChinaAid, Shuying suffered poor health and was tortured while in detention. Upon her release, Shuying went to be with her dying 91-year-old husband, who passed away the next day without regaining consciousness.

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

• Update: Christians sentenced to ''re-education through labour''

  Three Christians who were arrested in Taikang county, Henan province on December 3 (click here for more), have been sentenced to one year of "re-education through labour" for "illegal proselytizing" and attending an "illegal gathering," according to a January 6 report from ChinaAid. Twenty of the other Christians arrested in the raid were sentenced to 15 days of administrative detention and fined 1,000 Yuan (approximately $175 CAD).

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

• Christians beaten, house churches raided during Christmas

  There were several incidents of attacks on Christians in China during Christmas week, according to reports from ChinaAid.

  On the afternoon of December 24, approximately 40 police officers raided a construction site in the village of Jingjia, Sichuan province where Christian volunteers were helping to rebuild homes destroyed in the massive May 12 earthquake. The allegedly intoxicated officers beat and swore at those present and seized Bibles, hymnals, televisions, and other items belonging to the Christians. They refused to present legal documents giving reason for the raid. One of the earthquake victims and several of the Christian volunteers were eventually taken into custody by officials.

  Also on December 24, nine Christian women were arrested in Yucheng county, Henan province while leading a Christmas celebration. Five of the women were released the next day after their families paid fines ranging from 1,500 to 3,500 Yuan (approximately $270-$625 CAD) while the others, at last report, remained in detention.

  At least two Chinese house churches were raided while holding holiday celebrations on Christmas Day. Several leaders were arrested in the raids -- two in Bozhou city, Anhui province and seven in Qitai county, Xinjiang Autonomous Region. At last report, all of these Christians were still imprisoned.

  Pray for the release of those detained. Pray that Christians in China will continue to stand firm in their faith in the face of violence and intimidation (Acts 5:29).

  For more information on the persecution facing Christians in China, go toChina's Country Report.