Chinese Pastor and Family Await Verdicts

0 minutes read
Pastor Cai
Pastor Cai Zhuohua (Center)
Last week's Persecution and Prayer Alert on the upcoming trial of Pastor Cai Zhuohua and three of his family members on July 7.  According to VOM sources in China, the trial lasted four and a half hours and ended without announcing a verdict.  During the trial, the judge refused to hear arguments that the religious rights of the accused were being violated.  "This has nothing to do with religion.  This is an economic crime," said Judge You Tao.  Only one witness for the defense was allowed to speak; an elderly woman who said that she had been given the religious literature free of charge.  The defense lawyers argued that if the literature was given free of charge, the printing was not for profit and therefore it was not an "illegal business practice."

Only three family members of the accused were allowed into the courtroom.  The U.S. Embassy sent an observer to the trial, but he was prevented from entering the courtroom. The verdict is to be announced later, but no date has been set.  One of the lawyers for Cai said, "It is impossible for them to be found innocent, but I have confidence to strive for lighter sentences."

Pray that Cai and the other will be found innocent.  Pray for peace as they experience uncertainty and concern for the future.

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

  • Current Ministry Projects

    The Voice of the Martyrs Canada continues to help distribute Bibles to Christians in the country, making it possible for them to have their own printed version of God's Word. Additionally, VOMC works with various mission partners to facilitate a Biblical understanding of persecution and discipleship, while presenting ways to effectively respond and minister within the context of hostility.

    Project Funds: Underground Church, Bible, Relief & Development

  • Country Information

    Population
    1,413,142,846 (2023 est.)

    Ethnicity (%)
    Han Chinese (91.1), ethnic minorities (8.9 - includes Zhang, Hui, Manchu, Uighur, Miao, Yi, Tujia, Tibetan, Mongol, Dong, Buyei, Yao, Bai, Korean, Hani, Li, Kazakh, Dai, and other nationalities) (2021 est.)

    Religion (%)
    Folk religion (21.9), Buddhist (18.2), Christian (5.1), Muslim (1.8), Hindu (< 0.1), Jewish (< 0.1), other (0.7 - includes Daoist [Taoist]), unaffiliated (52.1) (2021 est.)

    Leader
    President Xi Jinping (2013)

    Government type
    Communist party-led state

    Legal system
    Based on civil law system; influenced by Soviet and continental European civil law systems

    Sources: CIA World Factbook

  • Pray for China

    Pray that the Gospel will be proclaimed throughout China without government interference so many more names can be added to the Lamb's "Book of Life." May there also be a spirit of unity demonstrated among the country's growing churches, further strengthening existing believers and spurring them on in their ministry service and evangelistic outreach within the country's numerous communities.

Select a Region

China News

  • Chen Wensheng Sentenced to 19 Months
    Chen Wensheng is smiling.
    Chen Wensheng
    Photo: ChinaAid

    Chen Wensheng is no stranger to arrests and police intimidation. A radically reformed former drug addict, the Christian evangelist has travelled throughout China to share his testimony, gaining the nickname of "Gospel Warrior." (See these other reports about this faithful believer.)

    Read more...

  • New Health Concerns for Elder Zhang Chunlei
    Zhang Chunlei with his wife
    Elder Zhang Chunlei and his wife
    Photo: ChinaAid

    Zhang Chunlei is an elder with the Ren'ai Reformed Church in Guiyang, China. He was detained in March 2021 and remained in detention without charge until his trial in November 2022, when he was accused of "inciting subversion of state power." The trial was held in secret, without any witnesses, and a verdict has never been announced since then. In the meantime, Elder Zhang continues to remain imprisoned. (Review previously published reports about this church leader's case.)

    Read more...

  • Persistent Harassment Against Church Deacons
    Ding Shuqi and Jia Xuewei
    Jia Xuewei (right) with his friend, Ding Shuqi
    Photo: ChinaAid

    In 2018, the Early Rain Covenant Church was violently raided by Chinese Communist Party (CCP) authorities, resulting in multiple arrests. Since then, members of the church have continued to face harassment, including a church deacon named Jia Xuewei. Click here for previous reports on Jia's situation.

    Read more...

  • High Security for Trial
    Chen Wensheng is smiling.
    Evangelist Chen Wensheng
    Photo: ChinaAid

    The case of Chen Wensheng was heard by the Hengyang City Shigu District People's Court on April 18th. However, when Chen's relatives and friends arrived that morning to attend the trial, they found about 40 black-clad special force officers guarding the entrance of the court building. In addition, the entire street was blocked off under the pretext of performing a "drill" so that any supporters could be prevented from attending the trial. Despite aggressive actions by the police, Chen's supporters are reported to have demonstrated "patience and calmness."

    Read more...

View All

China Videos

 
Persecution Report July 2024 - Hong Kong
/component/allvideoshare/category/china.htm
 
Persecution Trends Report for 2024: Nigeria, India, Pakistan and China
/component/allvideoshare/category/china.htm
 
China: Christians Facing the Worst Persecution in 40 Years!
/component/allvideoshare/category/china.htm
 
China: Communist Government Demands Total Loyalty and Seeks to Rewrite the Bible
/component/allvideoshare/category/china.htm
 
Persecution Trends Report for 2023: Nigeria, China and India
/component/allvideoshare/category/china.htm
 
China: Pressure Increases Against Christians
/component/allvideoshare/category/china.htm
More