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2015-09-24

  • Disappearance of Attorney Zhang Kai
    Zhang Kai (right) in Washington, D.C
    Photo: ChinaAid

    In January of 2014, the Chinese Communist Party secretary decided to "de-Christianize" the skyline by removing many crosses and churches under the guise of safety and beautification in the southern coastal province of Zhejiang, Xia Baolong. To date, between 1,200 and 1,500 churches have been impacted, with several pastors arrested and numerous believers wounded in scuffles with police.

    In defense of the churches under attack, and China's newly implemented religion law, prominent Beijing-based lawyer Zhang Kai announced in July of 2015 the formation of a group that consists of 30 Christian lawyers. The group is known as "Lawyers for Protection of the Cross."

    A few weeks ago, Chinese security forces conducted simultaneous night raids in Wenzhou, during which time they seized Zhang Kai, his assistant Liu Peng, and several Wenzhou pastors. According to Zhang's employer, no one has been informed of the lawyer's condition or whereabouts -- not even his family.

    Zhang reportedly has been charged with endangering state security and assembling a crowd to disrupt social order; charges that could possibly result in six months of secretive detention. Additionally, there are grave concerns for his safety. More information on persecution in China can be found at the China Country Report.

    Pray that the Lord will sustain, protect and bless Zhang Kai, Liu Peng and all the human rights' lawyers and pastors who are presently imprisoned and under threat in China. Also uphold all the believers who have been affected by this latest crackdown, asking the Lord to encourage them to persevere under trial. May this outbreak of evil against His people somehow be turned to good (Romans 8:28), while opening the spiritual eyes and hearts of many more Chinese people so they will discover the truth and goodness of our Lord Jesus Christ.
  • Court Clears Way for Family Visitation
    Asia's husband and daughters

    A Pakistani court has directed the Punjab provincial government and police to permit the father of death row convict Asia Bibi visitation rights, a family lawyer recently announced. The directive comes two days after Soran Masih filed a petition in the Lahore High Court demanding access to his daughter. Prior to this, authorities had repeatedly blocked him from the prison, which is located in the central Pakistani city of Multan, following Asia's conviction for blasphemy.

    "Judge Muhammad Anwar ul Haq issued directives to the jail superintendent of Multan and the Home Department to let Soran Masih and his family members see Asia Bibi," the lawyer explains. "We are thankful to the high court for (responding with) swift action to our petition." As a result, Asia's father and other close family members are now able to visit the imprisoned believer and further encourage her during this extremely trying time.

    The Christian mother of five has been imprisoned since 2009 for allegedly insulting the Prophet Mohammed -- a charge Asia denies, claiming she was targeted after drinking water from a vessel used by Muslim farm workers. The fellow workers, who say it's forbidden for a Christian to drink water from the same container, have accused Asia of blasphemy. Another appeal has been presented to the Supreme Court regarding her death sentence. Previous reports with additional links (including one leading to an informative video clip) on Asia's case can be reviewed here.

    While we can praise God for the court's recent decision to grant visitation rights to Asia's family, please continue to pray that justice will ultimately prevail -- along with a favourable outcome -- regarding the blasphemy charges against her. In the meanwhile, may this lengthy and challenging ordeal that Asia and her family have endured be used by the Lord to raise awareness of the injustice and horrific abuses posed by the country's current blasphemy laws, prompting significant changes in the judicial system for the protection of Christians and citizens of other minority groups.
  • Reverend Carballeda Released From Prison

    Reverend Jesús Noel Carballeda, a 45-year-old Cuban pastor of an unregistered church in Havana who had been detained since early February for holding unauthorized religious services, was released on August 31st. Prior to his most recent imprisonment in the Valle Grande prison of San Antonio de los Baños (located outside of Havana), Rev. Carballeda was previously imprisoned in the year 2000 for four months after militant communist neighbours filed legal complaints about church services being held in his family home in Marianao, Havana.

    The church is associated with the Apostolic Movement, a fast-growing network of churches that the Cuban government has refused to register. Because the religious group is unable to receive the necessary permits for a designated place of worship, all of the church's affiliated activities are technically illegal.

    The detention of Rev. Carballeda is part of a larger crackdown on religious freedom that has taken place in Cuba over the past few years. Unregistered religious groups have been a particular target of government repression, with religious leaders reporting harassment, fines and threats of confiscation or destruction of property. Other persecution stories, including praise reports, are available at the Cuba Country Report.

    Thank God for His goodness in ensuring Rev. Carballeda's release from prison. Ask the Lord to now help him overcome the challenging setbacks he encountered in recent months. May this persevering church leader and his family be ministered to personally and given wisdom while making decisions concerning the future of the church. Pray for continued church growth all across Cuba, despite the country's oppressive spiritual climate, asking the Lord to further equip believers with courage in the midst of opposition.