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China

• Two House Church Leaders Under House Arrest

  Hua Huiqi and Liu Fenggang Photos fromChina Aid

  Two previously Two previously imprisoned Beijing house church activists, Hua Huiqi (for more, click here) and Liu Fenggang (click here for the details), have been held under house arrest since October 1. According to an October 4 report from China Aid Association, two dozen police officers have been stationed around their homes. Several Public Security Bureau (PSB) officers have been stationed on Pastor Hua's roof in order to prevent anyone from leaving or entering the building. On October 3, eight PSB officers broke Hua's bedroom window and cut off the house's electrical supply.

  For more information facing Chinese Christians, visitChina's Country Report

• Nine Church Leaders Sentenced to Re-education through Labour

  The Voice of the Martyrs has learned that nine house church leaders who have been missing for nearly two months were given "re-education through labour" sentences ranging from 12 to 18 months in Hubei province on August 6. According to an October 4 report from China Aid Association, the nine were detained in on July 15 when authorities found them holding a worship service at the home of church leader Ms. Qin Daomin. The four men--Wang Caizhang (34) Ma Zhao (35), Yang Situan (39) and Du Dongliang (32)--were given an 18 month sentence. The five women--Hu Rong (42), Li Mei (42), Ren Xianxue (35), Qin Daofang (40) and her sister, Qin Daomin (33)--were sentenced to 12 months. The believers were sentenced for "engaging in and making use of an evil cult organization to undermine the enforcement of State laws." The official sentencing document listed activities such as singing Christian hymns to villagers, showing the Jesus film in a nursing home and praying for a disabled elderly man as evidence of their "crime."

  Qin Daomin is temporarily serving her sentence at home in order to care for her young child. Her father was severely beaten and sentenced to ten days administrative detention for hosting the Sunday worship service at his home. Li Mei has been serving her one-year sentence in a local hospital with both hands chained to her bed. She is in very poor health due to the repeated beatings and torture she sustained during the first month of her detention.

  Pray that these believers will rely on the Lord's strength and not on their own as they are suffering for Him (2 Corinthians 1:8-9). Pray their persecutors will come to know Christ as Lord. Ask God to continue to bring forth church leaders to guide those churches whose leaders are imprisoned.

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

• Two House Church Members Arrested Two female house church members, Ms. Guo and Ms. Li, were arrested in Huocheng County, Xinjiang on September 2, according to a September 26 report from China Aid Association. Both have been detained indefinitely at the local detention center.

  Guo and Li were arrested when they met together at the home of a Christian brother who was recuperating from a broken leg. The police arrested them, claiming that their gathering at a private residence was illegal. The next day, the police went to search the house. On both occasions, the police did not show any arrest or search warrants.

  Fellow Christians who tried to visit the detained sisters in the detention center on September 11 were turned away.

  Pray that these Christians will be released. Ask God to open doors of opportunity for them in prison so that they can share the gospel for which they suffer (Colossians 4:2-3).

  For more information about the persecution facing Chinese Christians, visitChina's Country Report.

• Imprisoned Pastor in Extremely Poor Health On September 24, The Voice of the Martyrs received reports that Pastor Zhang Rongliang's health is seriously failing and he may be near death. According to contacts in China, "Pastor Zhang must be carried from place to place by two men supporting him. He does not walk well on his own. He openly questions whether he can finish this sentence. If he is not released, there is a good chance that he will die in prison." Pastor Zhang suffers from severe diabetes and high blood pressure.

  Pastor Zhang has four years remaining of a seven-and-a-half year sentence. He had previously spent 12 years in prison where he suffered severe torture, including electric shock.

  Pray for Pastor Zhang's healing and for his release from prison. Pray that the Holy Spirit will encourage him and that his testimony will draw non-believers into the knowledge of Christ (Matthew 10:19-20).

  For more information on the persecution of Christians in China, readChina's Country Report.

• Chinese House Church Leader Released

  Pastor Cai before his arrest in 2004

  Beijing house church leader Cai Zhuohua, who was arrested in September 2004 and sentenced to three years for illegally printing Bibles (for more details click here) was unexpectedly released on September 10. According to a September 14 report from China Aid Association, he arrived home at approximately 1:00 p.m. in good health. He was released with strict warnings against practicing his faith outside of the government-sanctioned church. On September 13, he was taken to the Public Security Bureau office and issued further warnings against religious activity. During his imprisonment, Zhuohua was not allowed to possess or read a Bible and was forced to do labour for up to twelve hours a day making soccer equipment for the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

  For more information on persecution in China, visitChina's Country Report.

• Previously Detained House Church Leaders Released

  The seven house church leaders who were detained during worship service in Inner Mongolia on August 21 (click here for more details) were released a short time after August 24, according to a September 5 report from China Aid Association.

  For more information about the persecution facing Chinese Christians, visitChina's Country Report.

• Imprisoned Underground Bishop Dies

  Bishop John Han Dingxian Photo fromAsiaNews

  Bishop John Han Dingxian (71), an underground Chinese bishop who was repeatedly detained for his faith since 1960 and who was placed in solitary confinement in an unknown location for the past two years, died on September 9. His remains were cremated and buried that night. Though he had been ill, the Cardinal Kung Foundation questioned the haste behind the cremation and burial and called it "suspicious."

  Thank the Lord for the faithful service of Bishop Dingxian. Pray that those who mourn for him will find comfort in the fact that those who die in Christ will be raised with Him (1 Corinthians 15:50-58). Pray that other imprisoned Christians in China will know that there are those who remember them and who are willing to stand with them as they suffer for Christ.

  For more information facing Christians in China, visitChina's Country Report

• Recent Update from China

  Father Jiang Sunian, one of two underground priests arrested in late September 2006 and charged with making "illegal exits" when returning from China to Europe (read more), was released on August 24. Since his release, he has been diagnosed with several cardiac health issues.

  For more information facing Chinese Christians, visitChina's Country Report.

• House Church Leaders Detained

  Eight house church leaders were detained in late August, according to an August 24 report from China Aid Association.

  One church leader was arrested and two others were injured during a raid of a house church during a worship service on August 19 in Jianhu, Jiangsu. This church was previously attacked in early July while hosting a children's Bible school program.

  On August 21, seven church leaders were detained from a house church meeting in the village of Leizhiwa, Inner Mongolia. Four pastors from Liaoning province, Qin Tao (29), Wang Cong (34), Wang Shengjun (34), and Wang Youjun (47), and three Christian women leaders from Inner Mongolia were taken to the local Public Security Bureau office. At last report, all were still in detention.

  Pray that these church leaders will be released. Pray that God will give them opportunities in prison to share the Gospel for which they suffer (Colossians 4:2-3). Pray that the Lord will continue to raise up church leaders to serve congregations whose pastors have been detained.

  For more information on persecution in China, visitChina's Country Report.

• Please Write to Shuang Shuying “I was in prison, and you visited me….”
  
  The Voice of the Martyrs is asking that Christians from around the world pray for and write to Christian prisoner, Shuang Shuying, a 77-year-old woman who was sentenced to two years imprisonment by the Beijing Chongwen District People's Court on February 26, 2007. She was sentenced on charges of "willfully damaging private property." She and her son, Hua Huiqi, were attacked by police and arrested on January 24, 2007. Hua was released on July 26. Shuang suffers from a heart problem and diabetes.

  Please write a letter or card of encouragement to this dear sister. An attractive Christian greeting card would probably be especially cherished. Express your Christian love and mention you are praying for her (then do!). If you want to make your letter even more personal and special, you may want to include a snapshot of yourself, your family or your prayer group.

  Please do not send the letters to The Voice of the Martyrs Canada for mailing. The letters are more effective when the officials see persons have sent them from many different parts of our nation. Do not criticize the Chinese government or discuss politics and do not include your mailing address (you may state your name and country). Please do not mention The Voice of the Martyrs or any other source of information.

  You may write Shuang Shuying at:

  Shuang Shuying
  No. 3 Run He Xiang, Huifeng Street, Tiantang He Qing Feng Road,
  Daxing District,
  Beijing
  People’s Republic of China

  If you can write in Chinese, you may write to:

  北京市大兴区天堂河庆丰路汇丰街润荷巷3号

  Thank you for ministering to Sister Shuang Shuying in this vital way.
  
  For more information regarding Chinese Christians, visitChina's Country Report.