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China

• Government persecution of Christians escalates

  The Chengnan Three-Self Church in Jiangsu province was forcibly demolished on Nov. 19, 2010. Photo from ChinaAid

  For the fifth straight year, the government's persecution of the Church in China has continued to escalate, according to an annual report by ChinaAid Association, one of VOM's partners. The March 31 report was based on 90 known cases of persecution against Christians in China throughout 2010. As ChinaAid President Bob Fu noted, the Chinese government's stranglehold on information makes it impossible for all of the instances of Christian persecution to be documented and taken into consideration. This report is helpful, however, in revealing the widespread extent of opposition facing believers, as the incidences came from throughout China and involved people from all levels of society. It also highlighted three new alarming trends: the full-scale suppression of Christian human rights lawyers groups; use of abuse, torture and mafia tactics; and a severe crackdown on official Three-Self Patriotic Movement churches that do not accept government control. "China still has a long way to go toward true religious freedom and rule of law," said Fu.

  You can download the full report from ChinaAid.

  Pray that amid escalating persecution, Chinese Christians will find their comfort in Christ to be more than enough for them (2 Corinthians 1:5). Pray for continued wisdom and guidance for Christian leaders as they help equip Chinese believers to stand firm in the faith. Pray the voices of those advocating for religious freedom in China will be heard. Pray those who persecute Christians in China will be challenged by love and grace demonstrated by Christ's faithful and come to faith in the Lord (Romans 12:14, 21).

  To learn more about opposition facing Chinese Christians, go to theChina Country Report.

• House Church raided by police

  Chinese authorities recently raided a home in Shaanxi Province where believers were gathered for Sunday worship. On March 13, a dozen Christians were attending a house-church service in the village of Ma'an when the local police chief and two other officers barged into the building. The officers confiscated Bibles and other Christian literature. They also took all of the believers into police custody. Ten of the Christians were released that same evening. At last report, however, two believers--Weng and Zhang Yongkuan--remain detained.

  Pray for the release of the two detained Christians. Pray that believers in the village will not lose heart but will trust the Lord in all things. Pray for wisdom for area church leaders in the midst of opposition. Pray that authorities in China will truly respect the religious freedom of all citizens.

  You can find out more about the trials facing Christians in China by visiting theChina Country Report.

• Update: Imprisoned Christian released

  Shi Weihan Photo Courtesy ChinaAid Association

  Shi Weihan, a Christian bookstore owner and house church leader, has been released from prison nearly three years after his arrest for "illegally" printing and distributing Christian literature (click here to read the story). Weihan, who was first arrested in November 2007, was reportedly released on February 9. He is said to be in "stable condition both mentally and physically." At last report, he was at home with his wife and two children, but government officials were closely monitoring his activities.

  Thank the Lord for Shi Weihan's release! Ask God to give him peace and strength as he adjusts to life outside prison walls. Pray that he and his family will continue to look to the Lord, rejoicing in His love and care. Pray that other imprisoned Chinese Christians will also be released and reunited with their loved ones.

  Find out more about the persecution of Christians in China at theChina Country Report.

• Update: Sentence upheld for detained Christian

  Alimujiang Yimiti Photo from ChinaAid

  The People's High Court of the Xinjiang in Urumqi, China, recently upheld the 15-year prison sentence of Alimujiang Yimiti, an imprisoned Uyghur house-church leader (click here for information). Alim, a convert from Islam to Christianity, has been detained since January 2008 and convicted of "instigating separatism and revealing state secrets to foreigners." Those close to the case have insisted on his complete innocence. In 2009, a United Nations Working Group declared that Alim was detained "solely on account of his faith." His case was accepted for review in November 2010, raising hopes that the injustice of his case might finally be revealed. In mid-February, however, he received a notice informing him that his sentenced was being upheld--a sentence which is reportedly the harshest given to a Christian in a decade. The news comes as a blow to his wife and children, who have had little contact with him since his detention.

  Pray for true justice to be upheld in Alim's case. Pray he will be released. Pray his family will look to the Lord as their ever-constant source of comfort and guidance. Pray that, even in chains, Alim will continue to rejoice in the love of the Father, who hears the cries of His children and serves as their strength and shield (Psalm 28:6-7).

  Find out more about the persecution of Christians in China at theChina Country Report.

• Government planning increased regulations on Christian worship

  The Chinese government is reportedly planning to tighten regulations on Christian worship this year. China's State Administration for Religious Affairs (SARA) has announced that it will "guide Protestants worshiping at unregistered churches into worshiping at government-sanctioned ones." A VOM source in China confirmed that during a detention in 2010, police told him they would stop being "nice" in 2011. The report also stated, "SARA will strengthen regulation of foreign nationals' group religious activities in China and resist foreign infiltration under the pretext of religion." This new policy could mean increased persecution of Christians in China, especially those who worship in unregistered churches. Christians faced similar pressure from the government before the 2008 Olympics, when several Christians were detained, forced from their homes and put under house arrest.

  Pray Chinese Christians will continue to look to their God, knowing that He will give them courage and resolution in trial and opposition. Pray a new wave of intense pressure will not deter followers of Christ in China from proclaiming God's Word. Pray believers unjustly imprisoned will persevere in faith.

  You can learn more about the persecution of Christians in China by visiting the Country Report at theChina Country Report.

• Update: Case of imprisoned Christian up for review

  Alimujiang Yimiti and his family Photo from ChinaAid

  In November 2010, the People's High Court of the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region in Urumqi, China, accepted the appeal of an imprisoned Uyghur house church leader, Alimujiang Yimiti, to have his case reviewed. Alimujiang was arrested in January 2008 and sentenced in 2009 to 15 years' imprisonment for "providing state secrets to overseas organizations" (click here for more information).

  Since his arrest, Alimujiang has had extremely limited contact with his family. In December, his wife, Gulinuer, and lawyer, together with a lawyer who understood the Uyghur language (in which Alimujiang's case files are written), prepared an appeal. The judge, however, informed them that the collegiate bench had already studied the case and allegedly made a decision. Although authorities initially claimed that Alimujiang's lawyer and family would be able to meet with him, they have repeatedly denied them visits. At last report, neither Alimujiang's family nor his lawyer had received any further information on his case.

  Pray for Alimujiang's freedom and complete exoneration. Pray the re-opening and review of his case will expose the injustice of the situation. Pray those responsible for creating a false case against him will repent of their unjust actions. Pray Chinese authorities will uphold the rights of ethnic and religious minorities. Pray the Church in China will continue to grow in strength and resilience amid suffering and adversity.

  You can find out more about the suffering Church in China at theChina Country Report.

• Police raid large Christian meeting

  Chinese authorities raided a large Christian meeting in coastal Shandong province in early January. More than 1,000 believers were gathered at the meeting, which was held in a church building in Cangshun County. In the afternoon, local Public Security Bureau officers burst into the church and forced the meeting to end. They detained an unspecified number of believers, including Lu Daihao, a well-known evangelist visiting from Taiwan to speak at the event. Local Christians have reported that Pastor Lu has left Cangshun, but his exact location was unknown at last report.

  Pray Pastor Lu and all those involved in this raid will remain steadfast in the faith (1 Peter 5:8-10). Pray that Chinese Christians will continue to proclaim the gospel lovingly and boldly, even to those who oppress them. Pray for religious freedom to be truly upheld in China.

  For more on the trials facing Christians in China, visit theChina Country Report.

• Continue to pray for missing Christian

  ChinaAid president Pastor Bob Fu (far left) and others attempt to deliver a petition calling for Gao Zhisheng’s release. Photo from ChinaAid

  For nearly two years, Chinese human rights lawyer Gao Zhisheng has been detained by authorities (click here to learn more). His whereabouts are largely unknown, causing deep anxiety and concern among his loved ones.

  In recent days, an interview with Gao was released to the press in which he discloses the torture he endured at the hands of Chinese authorities. He describes a particularly brutal period when three police officers stripped him naked and pistol-whipped him for two days and two nights. When these officers tired, they bound Gao's arms and legs and threw him on the floor until they were ready to resume.

  "That degree of cruelty, there's no way to recount it," said Gao. "For 48 hours, my life hung by a thread." Gao said this was the darkest period in the 14 months he was secretly detained until his release in March 2010. But, two weeks after his March release, he again disappeared, and there has since been little news about him.

  In December 2010, a worldwide advocacy effort was launched on Gao's behalf. ChinaAid coordinated a campaign with the aim of delivering 150,000 signatures to Chinese embassies around the world. It was recently reported that Chinese embassies and consulates refused delivery of ChinaAid's petition, causing disappointment among those who hoped that the campaign would raise public awareness of Gao's plight and pressure the Chinese government into action.

  Pray Gao will be safely returned home at last. Pray he will continue to find comfort in the everlasting love and mercy of a Saviour who never forsakes His children. Pray Gao's family will also find refuge in God, casting all of their fears and cares on Him. Pray those involved in the petition will not be discouraged by recent events, but have enduring faith in God's justice. Pray Chinese Christians will continue to boldly proclaim the righteousness of the Lord.

  You can find out more about Chinese Christians suffering for their faith at theChina Country Report.

• Authorities raid worship service in Hunan Province

  Chinese authorities raided a house church worship service held by members of the Hope Church in the city of Changsha, Hunan Province, on December 12. At approximately 9:30 a.m., dozens of believers were gathered for worship when police officers and government officials arrived on scene. The authorities forced the believers to disperse and confiscated several items belonging to the church, including the podium, chairs and air-conditioner. They also took into custody two of the believers -- Pastor Zing Jinfu and Minister Le -- who were taken to a local police station and questioned for a couple of hours.

  It is not known if this raid was part of the nationwide "Operation Deterrence" campaign that the Politburo of the Chinese Communist Party launched on December 1 against all house churches in the nation. Even if it was not officially part of this campaign, there is fear that local authorities could be increasing the frequency and severity of their moves against this church in the coming weeks in relation to the nationwide crackdown.

  Pray that members of the Hope Church will be encouraged to continue to meet together despite opposition (Hebrews 10:23-25). Ask God to embolden all believers in China to continue to proclaim their faith in Him boldly and demonstrate His love to others in the nation. Pray for significant and lasting advances in religious freedom in China.

  For more on the persecution of Christians in China, go to theChina Country Report.

• Stand in solidarity with missing Christian

  Gao last seen with his family in January 2009 Photo from ChinaAid

  For nearly two years, Gao Zhisheng, a Christian human rights lawyer in China has been detained by authorities, his whereabouts often unknown (click here for more details). Initially, authorities seized him from his home in Shaanxi province on February 4, 2009, and held him incommunicado for 13 months. In early April 2010, news surfaced that he had been released. Shortly thereafter, however, he was again reported missing.

  In an October radio interview, Gao's wife, Geng He, expressed her and her family's eagerness to find him: "My family only wants to get some news of him. When I talked with his sister, she said: 'He is a member of the family. No matter what he does, such as eating the daily meals, sleeping or even taking a walk outside, anything would make us miss him. Where on earth has he gone?' The entire family of mine is puzzled and we have been looking for him ever since."

  Pray for continued resilience of faith and comfort for Gao's loved ones in these uncertain times. Pray that Gao will continue to look to his Lord and Father for strength and guidance as he suffers. Pray that Chinese authorities will justly respect religious freedom. Pray that the Church in China will continue to show the light of God's love and truth and remain strong amid opposition.

  For more information on the suffering of China's Christian community, go to theChina Country Report.