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Zhang Rongliang Photo from VOM-USA |
According to China Aid, a prominent house church leader in China, Zhang Rongliang, was arrested on December 1 at his home in Xuzhai village in Henan Province. His wife and children were able to escape and are presently in hiding. Their apartment has been searched, with authorities confiscating DVDs, photos and other materials that would establish any form of proof that Zhang had relationships with foreign organizations. According to a reliable source, homes throughout the village were searched, presumably looking for Zhang's wife and children.
Zhang is believed to be held in custody in the Zheng Zhou area of Henan Province. He is the leader of the China for Christ Church, a network of house churches estimated to have more than ten million members. Zhang is well known internationally, being featured in the book, "Jesus in Beijing," as well as many other books and articles. He previously served twelve years in prison for his faith and was last released in August 1999.
According to Bob Fu from China Aid, Pastor Zhang’s health is questionable as he suffers from serious diabetes. It is feared that Pastor Zhang may not be able to withstand the torture and mistreatment generally associated with the imprisonment of church leaders.
China Aid reports that Gao Shunping, who assisted Pastor Zhang in getting a travel ID, has also disappeared and at least three house churches in the Fangcheng area have been raided in the past two weeks.
We encourage Christians throughout the world to protest this latest action against freedom of religion in China. Contact information for Chinese embassies is available through our website (click here). The book, "Jesus in Beijing," is available through VOM's online catalog.
For more information on persecution facing Christians in China, click here.
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