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China

  • Church building destroyed, believers beaten in Jiangsu


    Destruction of the Chengnan Christian Church
    Photo from    China Aid

    On the morning of December 17, the officially registered Chengnan Christian Church of Tinghu District in Jiangsu province was attacked by a mob led by government officials, according to a December 22 report from China Aid Association. Over 50 Christians were gathered for worship when police officers barged in and dragged several of the believers outside where more than a thousand people were gathered, including government officials and security guards. The crowd then demolished the church's office, training centre and cafeteria and confiscated church property. Ten believers were beaten when they tried to stop the destruction. The church has faced ongoing harassment from government officials and had obtained a court order on the evening of December 16 to protect their building from such an attack. It is suspected that the destruction was the result of officials and powerful businessmen working in collusion to obtain the coveted church property by force.

    Pray for these Christians in the aftermath of this attack. Ask God to give healing to those injured. Pray that those responsible will come to repentance and be reconciled to God.

    To learn more about those suffering for Christ's sake in China, go to theChina Country Report.
  • Update: Two Christians released from detention


    Wang Weiliang
    Photo from    China Aid

    Two Chinese Christians were released early from detention for medical reasons in recent days, according to a December 2 report from China Aid Association. On November 25, Wang Weiliang was released one year early from a three-year sentence he received for protesting the destruction of a church building in Zhejiang province in July 2006 (click here to read the story). At the time of the report, Weiliang was receiving care at a hospital in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province. Pastor Zhu Baoguo, a house church leader who was sentenced to one year "re-education through labour" on October 30 (click here for more), was also released on December 2 for medical reasons.

    For more information on the persecution of Christians in China, visit theChina Country Report.
  • Underground Christians arrested

    House church Christians continue to be targeted and arrested throughout China, according to a December 4 report from China Aid Association. More than 50 house church Christians were gathered for fellowship in Xiji town, Zaozhuang city, Shandong province on December 2 when Public Security Bureau officials surrounded them and arrested approximately 20 believers. The officials claimed that they would release the prisoners for 2500 Yuan (approximately $450 CAD) each. On December 3, more than 50 house church Christians were arrested by the local police in Tai Kang county, Henan province. At the time of the report, none of the believers had been released.

    Pray that these Christians will be released from detention. Pray that, like Paul, their imprisonment will result in the advancement of God's kingdom (Philippians 1:12-14).

    Learn more about how Christians are persecuted in China at theChina Country Report.
  • Authorities crack down on the Chinese House Church Alliance


    Photo from    China Aid

    Pastor Zhang "Bike" Mingxuan and other underground Christians have been targeted by authorities in recent days due to a statement released on November 28 by the Ministry of Civil Affairs calling for the elimination of the Chinese House Church Alliance. According to a November 30 report from China Aid Association, Pastor Zhang, the President of the Chinese House Church Alliance, was detained by four officers in Nanyang, Henan province, at approximately 7:00 a.m. When authorities demanded that he sign the Ministry's statement, he refused. Pastor Zhang's wife was also detained by authorities but was later released. Seventeen Christians who were worshipping at Pastor Zhang's residence, including an American journalist and his translator, were apprehended at approximately 10:00 a.m., photographed and forced to sign documents. Although they were later released, authorities confiscated their computers, cell phones, magazines, and over 600 Bibles. The journalist and translator were escorted by officials to an airplane leaving Nanyang for Beijing. At the time of the report, Pastor Zhang remained in detention.

    Pray that the Ministry of Civil Affairs will withdraw their statement. Ask God to protect Pastor Zhang in detention. Pray that his passion for Christ will be the light that draws others to Him (Matthew 5:14-16).

    For more on the plight of Christians in China,click here.
  • Update: Pastor Zhang Mingxuan accused of ''illegal business operations''


    Photo from    China Aid

    Pastor Zhang "Bike" Mingxuan, a house church leader who has been under fire from authorities along with his family in recent weeks (click here for more information), has been accused of engaging in "illegal business operations," according to a November 25 report from China Aid Association. During Pastor Zhang's detention last month, authorities interrogated him about his involvement in distributing silicon prayer bands during the Olympic Games, which authorities consider a "nationally politically sensitive item." Pastor Zhang, who has been in Beijing since October 31, has been forbidden from renting a residence or staying in hotels in the city and authorities continue to try to intimidate and discredit him.

    For more information on the persecution of believers in China, visit the China Country Report.
  • House church leader sentenced to ''re-education through labour''

    On October 30, house church leader Pastor Zhu Baoguo was sentenced to one year "re-education through labour" on charges of being an "evil cult" leader, according to a November 18 report from China Aid Association. Pastor Zhu and four other leaders were detained by authorities during a church gathering in Dushu village, Henan province on October 12. While the other four leaders were sentenced to five days of administrative detention, Pastor Zhu was sentenced to 15 days. Two days after Pastor Zhu's release from detention, he was sentenced and taken to a labour camp in an unknown location. There is considerable concern for his health as he suffers from heart disease.

    Ask God to protect Pastor Zhu in the labour camp. Pray that he will be a bold witness for Christ there. Pray that the persecutors of Christians in China will open their hearts to the love of Christ (Acts 9:1-19).

    For more information on the persecution facing Christians in China,click here.
  • Update: Pastor Zhang and wife released


    Pastor Zhang
    Photo from    China Aid

    After several weeks of threats and attacks on the Zhang family by Public Security Bureau officials (click here for more), Pastor Zhang "Bike" Mingxuan, his wife, and his sister-in-law were released from detention on October 27, according to a November 6 report from China Aid Association. Pastor Zhang's sons, Jian and Chuang, who were beaten by officials on October 16, have been forced to vacate their Beijing apartments and are residing in Nanyang city, Henan province.

    For more information on the persecution of Christians in China, click here.
  • House churches banned in Yichun city

    Photo of house church meeting fromChina Aid

    House churches in Yichun city, Heilongjiang province, China were banned in mid-October, according to an October 29 report from China Aid Association. Verbal orders to end all house church activity came from both provincial and central government agencies.

    Ask God to give strength and boldness to Christians in Yichun city. Pray that believers will continue to meet together despite opposition (Hebrews 10:23-25).

    Learn more about China's persecuted Christiansclick here.
  • Update: Zhang family remains under fire


    Zhang Jian
    after the beatings
    Photo from    China Aid

    Pastor Zhang "Bike" Mingxuan and his family continue to face pressure from Public Security Bureau (PSB) officials in China. According to an October 28 report from China Aid Association, Zhang Jian, who was brutally beaten on October 16 (click here), was recently threatened by PSB officials with imprisonment unless he agreed to sign a document stating that his injuries were minor. Fearing separation from his wife and one-year-old son, Jian consented. Pastor Zhang, who hadn't been heard from since the attack, contacted Jian by telephone on October 22. He confirmed that he is being detained but was unable to give the details of his detention. Pastor Zhang's wife, Xie Fenglan, and sister have been placed under "soft detention" in a PSB-operated Beijing hotel. Their cell phones have been confiscated and their travels restricted.

    For more information on the opposition facing Christians in China, visit theChina Country Report.
  • Pastor Zhang and family targeted by authorities


    Zhang Jian after the beatings
    Photos from    China Aid

    Chinese authorities continue to target underground church leader Pastor Zhang "Bike" Mingxuan and his family, according to reports from China Aid Association. At noon on October 16, while Pastor Zhang was away from home, approximately 15 Public Security Bureau officials barged into his and his wife’s legally rented apartment and began throwing their belongings out into the street. His wife, Xie Fenglan, urgently phoned their oldest son, Zhang Jian, for help. Jian arrived to find authorities knocking his mother to the ground. When he tried to shield her from their blows, he was beaten with iron bars. Xie Fenglan phoned for an ambulance, but was informed that a government-issued order forbade dispatching one for relatives of Pastor Zhang. She then phoned her other son, Zhang Chuang, for help. When he arrived, he too was beaten by the officials. A family friend eventually brought Jian to the hospital where he regained consciousness. He suffered a broken nose and may never regain sight in his right eye. Jian left the hospital with Chuang because PSB officials were watching him. However, the brothers continued to be threatened by officials and were warned not to leave Chuang's apartment until a Chinese House Church Alliance celebration, scheduled for October 20 and organized by their father, was over.

    It is suspected that Pastor Zhang has been detained by authorities. Police recently used garbage to block the entryway to the church building where he preaches. Xie Fenglan was evicted from their home and at last report has been residing with another house church leader because authorities ordered hotels to refuse her shelter.

    Pray for the Zhang family as they face many trials for their faith in Christ. Pray for an end to the crackdowns on Chinese Christians (2 Thessalonians 1:3-4).

    For more information on the plight of Chinese Christians, visit theChina Country Report.

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