In August 2021, four house church leaders were arrested for allegedly carrying out "illegal business operations." The charges relate to their work at the Jordan River Learning Center, a house church school affiliated with the Mount Carmel Church in Wuhu, Anhui State. At the time, six other teachers at the school were arrested but then released on bail.
Of the four detained, Han Yanlei and Xie Zhifeng were released on bail in late February. The case involving the remaining two teachers, Wan Hongxia and Wang Minghai, who have since been formally charged, is presently pending trial. Wang Minghai, a renowned gastroenterologist, donated his time and money to assist the school. Wan Hongxia was a successful businessman before deciding to serve full time as the principal of the school. Considering their involvement with the school as ministry work, both detained Christians reject all the charges against them, denying that they ever broke the law. To review other published reports addressing the challenges facing China's Christians, see our country report.
Pray that God will keep both of these detained Christian educational leaders, Wan and Wang, safe in prison. Throughout their imprisonment, may they be encouraged to remain strong and steadfast in their faith. Please also uphold their families in prayer as they await with the hopeful anticipation of a favourable outcome judicially. In the meantime, praise God for the release of Han and Xie, as well as the six other educators. May these teachers be allowed to continue providing Christian education in China, so parents who want their children to be raised in the 'ways of the Lord' are able to adhere to the Bible's foundational precepts.
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