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China

• Zhang Rongliang's Case Sent to Intermediate People's Court

  After a two-hour hearing on April 6, the Zhongmu City People's Court determined that there was "insufficient evidence and ambiguous facts" in the case against Zhang Rongliang.  According to an April 13 report from Compass Direct, the court sent the case to the Zhengzhou City Intermediate People's Court for advice.  An answer is expected by April 24.

• Prayer and Intervention Requested for Zhang Rongliang

  Zhang Rongliang

  Prayer and intervention is requested for a pastor who is in a Chinese prison and is suffering from failing health.  Pastor Zhang Rongliang (55) was arrested on December 1, 2004 and has remained in custody without charges since.  On April 6 a hearing was scheduled. No information on the results of that hearing is available.  However, it has been reported that Zhang has been hospitalized since December 19, 2005 suffering from complications of diabetes and high blood pressure.
• House Church Leaders Detained

  According to a March 21 report from China Aid Association, sixteen house church leaders are being detained after two raids by Chinese authorities in the past week.

  On March 20, Pastor Lian Changnian was leading a Bible study for over one hundred believers when the meeting in Xiantao City, Hubei Province was raided.  Pastor Lian is being detained in the Xiantao City detention centre.

  Fifteen house church leaders, including a 15-year-old girl, are also being detained after a meeting of sixty house church leaders was raided in Wen County, Henan Province. According to the testimonies from the forty-five who were released, all the prisoners were treated badly. All were tortured with electric shock batons. Pastor Li Gongshe (51) is in hospital with a broken rib because of the beatings.  Of the prisoners still detained, the whereabouts of six are unknown. Church leaders fear that the beatings may have been so severe that police are trying to prevent family visits.  Those missing are Ms. Ma Wenqing (72), Ms. Zhang Jinzhi (44), Mr. Zhang Liang (24), Ms. Zhang Suihong (35), Ms. Xian Guirong (38), Ms. Wei Rongzhen (43).

  Pray that our brothers and sisters will be able to rejoice in knowing that it is a privilege to suffer for Christ's sake. Pray that the Lord would bring verses of Scripture and hymns of praise to their minds. Pray that those who have been released will be protected from any further harassment. Ask God to protect those who are in prison and give them strength in their afflictions.

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

• More Christians Arrested

  While raids on unregistered churches in China are frequent, the Chinese government's opposition to so-called "illegal evil cults" took a different turn on March 6 when an officially registered church was raided for allegedly providing "illegal evil cult" training.  An eyewitness told China Aid sources that a Three-Self Patriotic Church in the village of Qiaozhuang, Henan Province was raided by Public Security Bureau (PSB) officers as fifty Christians were receiving Bible training from Pastor Liu Tuanjie. Pastor Liu is from Shangshui County in Henan Province. According to Chinese regulations, even within government churches, church leaders can only minister in their designated areas.

  Pastor Liu and two other church leaders, Mr. Li Xueqin and Ms. Ma were taken into custody. Ma was released after her family paid a fine.  As of March 10, Liu and Li remained in custody.

  China Aid also reported on March 10 that a prominent Chinese musician, Su Wenxing, was recently placed under house arrest.  Su is regarded as one of the best conductors in the country.  In April 2004, a performance of Handel's Messiah by the China National Orchestra conducted by Su was abruptly cancelled without reason (for more information, click here). Su was reportedly told by guards at his door that he could face arrest if he continues his "provocative (evangelistic) activities" through music.

  On March 6, two house church leaders were taken by PSB officers from their homes in Baihe County, Shanxi Province. Both Pastor Ruan Yonggui and Pastor Liu Fukao belong to a well-known House Church group called China Gospel Fellowship.

  Pray that these arrested leaders will be released soon and that they will have opportunities to share Christ with others while in custody. Pray for renewed determination on the part of Chinese church leaders to continue to follow Christ regardless of the cost. Pray that the eyes of world leaders will be opened to the reality of China's restrictive anti-religious policies.

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

  We encourage Canadians to write letters of protest and concern over these recent arrests to the Chinese embassy in Ottawa:

  His Excellency Lu Shumin
  Ambassador  
  Embassy of the People's Republic of China
  515 St. Patrick Street
  Ottawa, ON K1N 5H3

• Bible School Leaders Released

  Pastor Chu and Pastor Liu Photos courtesy ofChina Aid Association

  On March 1, a house church Bible School was raided and thirty-six people arrested (click here for more information).  The next day, China Aid Association (CAA) reported that everyone had been released.  The ten thousand copies of Christian literature, however, were not returned.  Instead, they were given to a government committee to determine if they are legal.  According to CAA, the decision by the Public Security Bureau to release the prisoners came as a direct result of international pressure.
• Bible School Raided

  Pastor Chu and Pastor Liu Photos courtesy ofChina Aid Association

  In the morning of March 1, a house church Bible School was raided by Public Security Bureau officers in Huaibei City, China.  Approximately thirty-six house church leaders, students and teachers were taken into custody, according to a press release from China Aid.

  According to eyewitnesses, more than fifty officers armed with electric shock batons surrounded the school.  The school is run by Pastor Chu Huaiting, a well-known house church leader and vice-president of the Chinese House Church Alliance.  Officers did not present a search warrant, even when requested.  During the raid, ten thousand copies of Christian literature and two hundred blankets for distribution were confiscated.  Among those arrested were Pastor Liu Haiting, Pastor Liang Zhenjun and Pastor Joseph Wang. Three hours later, police arrested Pastor Chu at his home.

  Pray for the release of those who have been arrested. Ask God to give them wisdom in what to say as they face their accusers.

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

• Priests Arrested for Reasons Unknown

  According to the Cardinal Kung Foundation, Father Lu Genjun (44) and Father Guo Yanli (39) were arrested by security officials while waiting for a friend to arrive at the Baoding train station on February 17.  No information on the reasons for the arrest has yet been made public. Sources report that Guo has been sent to the Xushui County detention centre. The location of Lu is unknown. Lu has been detained twice before. He served three years in prison following his arrest in 1998 and an unspecified period of time in 2004. Guo has not been previously arrested.

  Despite the best efforts of China's Communist government, the Church in China is growing rapidly, particularly unregistered groups. According to a February 28 report from Asia News, one-third of all Communist Party members belong to some type of religious organization, despite prohibitions from the Central Committee.  It is estimated that ten million Party members are actively involved in religious activities.

  Pray that Father Lu Genjun and Father Guo Yanli will know the peace that comes with resting in Christ, even in the most difficult circumstances. Pray that they will soon be released. Praise the Lord with us that the Body of Christ is growing in China, even within the ranks of those who officially oppose it. Pray that believers will remain steadfast in their faith, unmoving in their commitment to live and spread the truth of the Gospel.

  For more information on the persecution of Christians in China,click here. Various resources on China, including a 4-DVD set on the history of Christianity in China, are available on VOMC's online catalog.

• Prisoner Released; Another Suffering

  Xu Yonghai	Liu Fenggang

  Xu Yonghai, originally detained in November 2003 and sentenced to two years in prison in August 2004, has been released according to a February 3 report from Human Rights in China (HRIC).  During the same trial, house church leader Liu Fenggang was sentenced to three years in prison.  HRIC has learned that Liu's health has seriously deteriorated because of a lack of treatment for his heart condition.  For more details on Liu and Xu, click here.  We encourage you to write a letter to, and on behalf of, Liu Fenggang. Click here to download our most recent Prisoners List that has the addresses to which to write.
• Assassination Attempt Against Lawyer

  Gao Zhisheng Photo courtesy ofChina Aid

  A prominent lawyer who had his legal license suspended by Chinese authorities because of his work in representing the religious rights faced an attempt on his life on January 17, according to China Aid Association. Gao Zhisheng was traveling in Beijing when a vehicle with an obscured license plate suddenly stopped in front of him.  Gao narrowly missed hitting the vehicle, stopped and got out to investigate.  The driver of the other car then attempted to run down Gao, who was able to dodge out of the path of the vehicle.  As the car sped away, the newspaper covering the license plate blew away and the plate number was reported.  It is believed the driver was a security agent of the Chinese government.  Throughout the incident, a military vehicle was nearby observing.

  Pray that Gao will continue to experience God's protection even though his work angers those in authority. Pray that Gao and his friends within the house churches will continue to share Christ with boldness and share their faith with their persecutors.

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

• Several House Churches Raided in Recent Weeks

  Raid on the Church of Ark Photo courtesy ofChina Aid

  A January 16 report from VOMC partner, China Aid Association, gives details on police raids on several house churches since Christmas.  These incidents are further evidence of an escalating crackdown on house churches in recent months.

  Shortly after Christmas, Jin Tianming, the pastor of at least nine house churches in Haidian District, was detained by police for questioning.  Dozens of other leaders from his churches were also questioned by authorities.

  On January 4, 2006, a house church in Dayinjia Village, Changchun City, Jilin Province was raided by five officers who declared the gathering illegal and ordered the forty believers there to move to a government-sanctioned TSPM church.  The pastor, Cui Guojun, was interrogated for three hours before being released.

  On two consecutive Sundays, January 8 and 15, officers from the Public Security Bureau raided the Church of Ark, a well-known house church in Beijing.  According to a report from Gao Zhisheng who was present at the meetings, a plain clothes officer roughed up several of those present, grabbing the video camera of a foreign journalist who was present at the time.  The officers claimed the meeting was an illegal religious gathering and disturbing the neighbours.

  The January 4 edition of the Persecution & Prayer Alert reported that five Christian leaders remained in custody following a raid on Christmas Day in Ma Na Si County. China Aid Association reports that these men have been released, but none of the confiscated property has been returned.

  Pray that the body of Christ in China will continue to grow in number and in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. Pray that Pastor Jin and his colleagues will know the peace of Christ.  Pray that the Lord will enable them to maintain a consistent testimony. Pray that the believers in the house churches recently raided will continue to stand up for the truth of God's Word. Thank God for the release of the five Christian leaders.  Pray for them as they continue to make Christ's name known.

  For more information on persecution in China,click here.  Video footage from China is also available on VOMC's multimedia website, www.vomcanada.com.