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China

• Pastor Zhang and wife released

  Pastor Zhang "Bike" Mingxuan Photo fromChina Aid

  Pastor Zhang "Bike" Mingxuan and his wife, who were arrested along with another pastor on August 6 (click here for more details), were released in Henan province on August 29. According to an August 29 report from China Aid Association, the couple spent three weeks in "forced vacation" and had to stay at four different resort locations throughout their captivity, accompanied by government officials. They were reportedly treated well during their detention. The couple is prohibited from returning to Beijing until the Paralympics end on September 16. Pastor Zhang, a well-known evangelist and president of the Chinese House Church Alliance, said that even under captivity he actively evangelized and defended the rights of house churches believers to his captors.

  Praise the Lord for the release of these believers. Ask God to guide and embolden Pastor Zhang and other church leaders serving Christ in China.

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

• Prominent church leader arrested

  Pastor Zhang "Bike" Mingxuan Photo fromChina Aid

  According to an August 6 report from China Aid Association, Pastor Zhang "Bike" Mingxuan, President of the Chinese House Church Alliance, has been arrested along with his wife and another pastor, Wu. Pastor Zhang was on his way to deliver medicine to his ill wife when he was detained. At last report, all three were being held in a Public Security Bureau office in Zhengzhou City, Henan.

  Pray for the release of these three believers. Pray that they will be a testimony to those imprisoning them. Pray for the health of Pastor Zhang's wife during her detention.

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

• House church pastor escapes from police custody

  Pastor Hua Huiqi Photo fromChina Aid

  According to reports from China Aid Association, Pastor Hua Huiqi and his brother, Hua Huilin, were illegally arrested by the Chinese police at approximately 6:00 a.m. on August 10. The brothers were on their way to attend a service at the Kuanjie Church, which President Bush was scheduled to attend, when they were apprehended. During a lapse in security, Hua Huiqi was able to escape police custody around noon. Hua Huilin was released later that afternoon.

  Pray for guidance and wisdom for these believers. Pray that the spiritual leaders in China will remain faithful to the task God has given them, knowing that they will receive the crown of life (1 Peter 5:1-4).

  For more information on the persecution of Christians in China, go to the China Country Report.

• Health of book store owner deteriorating

  Shi Weihan and his family Photo fromChina Aid

  China Aid Association is reporting that the health of Shi Weihan, a Beijing book store owner and house church leader, has been deteriorating since his imprisonment four months ago (click here for more details). Poor prison conditions and refusal of diabetes medication have contributed to Shi's decline. He has reportedly lost more than 10 kg in body weight amidst the constant physical and psychological torture employed by prison officials. Recently Shi was coerced to sign a confession convicting him of "engaging in the printing and distribution of a large number of illegal publications." The charges stem from Shi's printing of Bibles and Christian literature which were sold at his Beijing Christian bookstore, but were deemed "illegal" by Beijing authorities because the books were not printed by the officially registered Three Self Patriotic Movement Church.

  Remember Shi Weihan as he languishes in detention. Pray that God would sustain his health. Pray for his release.

  More information on the persecution facing Christians in China can be found atChina Country Report.

• Chinese House Church Alliance Leader Evicted in Beijing

  Pastor Bike Zhang Photo fromChina Aid

  Pastor Bike Zhang, Chairman of the Federation House Church and his wife, Xie Fenglan, were evicted from their home in Chaoyang district by Public Security Bureau officials on July 6, according to a July 18 report from China Aid Association. The couple took up residence in a friend's home until they were again evicted by officials and forced to relocate to a hotel in Guo Xian town. On July 14, officials ordered the hotel owner to evict the couple or face incarceration. Zhang and Fenglan then left for the district of Changping but were stopped by police and taken to a government office where they were interrogated and denied food, drink and rest for several hours. Fenglan eventually collapsed due to the torture.

  At last report the couple was living on the streets after police forced them out of two other locations. Their expulsion from Beijing is reportedly in response to Pastor Zhang's meeting with American officials, which Chinese authorities see as "destroying the harmony of the Beijing Olympic Games."

  Pray for protection for this couple. Pray that they will be assured of the Lord's never-ending love, even in the midst of trying circumstances (Ephesians 3:14-19). Pray for the nation of China and the Chinese church at large as the Olympics are to begin soon.

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

• Christian Literature Confiscated, Believer Detained in Shandong Province

  Last week it was reported that Pastor Zhang Zhongxin was sentenced to two years "re-education through labour" in the city of Jining, Shandong province on June 4. Several members of his church have since come under fire from authorities, according to a July 21 report from China Aid Association. On July 14, Chinese officials along with an "anti-cult group," seized Bibles and other religious literature from Mr. Lu Xiaoai. That same day, the police broke into the home of Mr. Li Dali in the district of Rencheng and confiscated Christian materials. Also, police detained Mr. Lian Dehai and raided his home for Christian materials.

  Pray for the release of Mr. Dehai. Pray that these Christians will continue to stand firm in their faith in the face of pressure and intimidation (Acts 5:29).

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

• Pastor Sentenced to Two Years ''Re-education Through Labour'' in China

  Pastor Zhang Zhongxin was sentenced to two years "re-education through labour" in the city of Jining, Shandong province on July 4, according to a July 8 report from China Aid Association. He is due to be released on June 5, 2010. An appeal hearing for his case has been scheduled for August 14.

  Ask God to protect Pastor Zhang 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 as Saul did (Acts 9:1-19).

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

• House Church Banned, Leader Questioned by Police in Hegang, China

  A house church missionary, Jiao Chunbao, was detained by government security officers while on his way to a worship service in the city of Hegang, Heilongjiang province on July 2, according to a July 7 report from China Aid Association. The officers forcibly escorted Chunbao to the police station where he was told that his church was banned from meeting together for worship and threatened with re-arrest if meetings continued. Two female members of the house church were also taken to the police station and questioned.

  Pray for Christ's peace and grace to fill the hearts of Chunbao and the house church members (Philippians 4:7). Ask God to embolden Chinese Christians to continue spreading the Gospel despite increasing pressure from the authorities.

  For more information on the persecution facing Christians in China, go to the China Country Report.

• Christian Rights Activist Evicted in Beijing, China

  Hua Huiqi's appartment after the attack Photo fromChina Aid

  Hua Huiqi, a Christian rights activist and house church leader, was evicted from his home by Public Security Bureau officers on July 2, according to a July 2 report from China Aid Association. At approximately 8:30 p.m., the officers broke down the doors and locks of Huiqi's rental apartment with a hammer and forcibly entered the residence. They beat Huiqi's brother, badly injuring his eye. Huiqi and his family, including his 90-year-old father, were then forced onto the street with their furniture. The family is in search of a new home and is currently being hosted by a Christian family in Beijing.

  The Chinese government has branded Huiqi and other human rights activists "troublemakers" and is reportedly determined to stop them from attending the Olympic Games in August. Authorities have expressed their intention to either detain Huiqi until September 20 or remove him and his family from Beijing until the Olympics is finished.

  Pray that Huiqi and his family will experience the peace of the Lord as they suffer for His sake (John 14:27). Pray for Chinese authorities to respect the rights of Chinese Christians to worship God freely.

  For more information on the persecution of Christians in China, go to the China Country Report.

• Church Leader and Interpreter Released

  Pastor Zhang Mingxuan Photo fromChina Aid

  Pastor Zhang Mingxuan, the president of Chinese House Church Alliance, and his interpreter, Ms. Ou Yang, were released due to international pressure on June 19 after being detained for 31 hours (click here for more details), according to a June 19 report from China Aid Association. Praise the Lord for their release.

  For more on the persecution of Christians in China, go to theChina Country Report.