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China

• House Church Pastor and Evangelist Arrested On September 26, police in Henan Province, China arrested a house church pastor, Ma Yinzhou, in an attempt to force him to reveal the whereabouts of his son, Ma Shulei, a fulltime house church evangelist.  Shulei turned himself in on October 2 in order to save his father.  However, both are now being held in police custody.
• Christian Businessman Seriously Beaten On the morning on September 28, Tong Qimiao, a Christian businessman from Zhejiang Province, was questioned by security agents in Kashgar.  Since he had no idea what they were asking him about, Qimiao was unable to give them the information they were seeking.  Consequently, the police seriously beat him and left him with a broken chest bone.  Now in hospital, Tong has been threatened and forced to sign a statement that he was never beaten during interrogation.
• Christian Chinese Historian Released from Prison

  After serving his two year sentence, Christian historian and church leader, Zhang Yi-nan was scheduled to be released from custody on September 25.  Before being allowed to return home, however, he was taken to a police station where he was "instructed" on what to publicly say and do upon his release.  Police reportedly told him that he was "very defiant" because he refuses to admit his "mistakes" -- being a Christian and part of an unregistered house church.  He was finally allowed to return home to his wife and son in the early afternoon. 

  Zhang expects that his activities will continue to be monitored.  According to China Aid Association, a Public Service Bureau officer refused to return his identification card in order to restrict his movements.  Speaking to VOMC sources, Zhang said, "Compared to the testimony of Pastor Allen Yuan and Wang Mingdao, my suffering is nothing. Both of them were imprisoned for about 20 years for the sake of the gospel. I am just so privileged to taste a little bit of the Lord's cross."

  Praise God for Zhang Yi-nan's release and continue to pray for him as he adjusts to public life after two years in prison.  According to Zhang, State Security Bureau agents told him on September 14 that the only reason he had not been sentenced to a longer term was because of international pressure.  Glenn Penner, spokesman for VOMC, said, "Brother Zhang's release is evidence of the power of public advocacy.  We thank all who have prayed and intervened on his behalf.  We also urge the Chinese government to release all other prisoners of faith like Mr. Zhang."

  Pray that the authorities will allow Brother Zhang freedom in carrying out his life and ministry.  Pray for the many others who are still imprisoned in China because of their faith in Jesus Christ.

  For more information on the persecution facing China's Church,click here.  A variety of video clips about persecution in China are available on VOMC's multimedia website, www.vomcanada.com.

• Chinese Priest and Seminarian Arrested

  Father Pang Yongxing and a recent seminary graduate, Ma Yongjiang, were arrested by security forces in Qing Yuan county, about 100 kilometres south of Beijing, on the afternoon of September 2, according to the Cardinal Kung Foundation.  In 2001, Father Pang had been sentenced to three years in a labour camp.  He was released a year ago.  Pang and Ma have been serving about 800 members of the underground Catholic Church in Qing Yuan county.

  Pray for Pang, Ma and many other Christian leaders presently imprisoned for their faith in China.  Pray for physical and emotional strength as they frequently face physical and psychological torture.

  For more information on the suffering of China's Christians,click here.

• Chinese Bishop Dies

  Funeral for Xie Shiguang Photo fromAsiaNews

  Monsignor Xie Shiguang, the bishop of Mingdong, died of leukemia on August 25 at the age of 88.  Between 1955 and 1992, Xie had spent a total of twenty-eight years in prison because of his work with the underground Catholic Church.  From the time of his release until his death, he was under constant police surveillance. The Vatican praised Xie as a "courageous witness to Christ."

  Continue to pray for the many Christians suffering for their faith in China.  Pray for a strong Church leadership able to guide their flock through these items of trials and persecution.

  For more information on China and the persecution facing the Church there,click here. Several video features from China are available on VOMC's multimedia website, www.vomcanada.com. 

• Chinese Church Leaders and Americans Arrested

  On August 17, China Aid, a partner ministry of VOMC, released a report documenting how, in recent weeks, there have been several attacks against house churches and Christian leaders in China that resulted in numerous arrests and torture.

  During a house church worship service on August 7 in Xinjiang, more than twenty police vehicles surrounded the building.  Police arrested approximately thirty Christians.  More than ten women were stripped and paraded in front of the others.  Those who refused to undress were severely beaten. Three church leaders: Mr. Song Jun, Mr. He Jiangwei and Ms. Liang Fanglan are still being held.  Their whereabouts is presently unknown.

  On the morning of August 11, a Sunday school teacher training class was raided in Xiping Xinjian Village, Xiaogang Town in Jiangxi Province.  The class included thirty-five high-school and university students, along with some church leaders.  As police took money from those present, some of the older women asked for receipts.  The police responded by beating them.  All those present were arrested though most released that evening.  So far six have been sentenced for criminal detention and are waiting further prosecution.  Those in detention are Ms. Xu Meifang, Ms. Zhao Jie, Ms. Zhang Shuming, Mr. Wu Jiewang, Mr. Zhu Guanzhu and Mr. Zhu Xiaochun.  Another leader, Ms. Xu Chahua (42) was arrested four days later.

  On August 15, five American church leaders and twenty-eight Chinese pastors were arrested.  Four of the Americans and 27 pastors were meeting for fellowship in Luoyang City, Henan Province when they were arrested.  Later that same day, another American and another Chinese Pastor, Wan Dagan, were arrested by plain-clothed agents while walking on the street in Yichuan City.  All five Americans are believed to be from the same group.  At last report, their detention location was unknown.

  On August 10, the Persecution and Prayer Alert reported on the arrest of more than forty believers in Hubei.  China Aid reports that ten were released on August 13.  Reports from those arrested recount terrible torture, including being burned with cigarettes and having wrists punctured with needles.  One woman, Lian Tonggui, was partially stripped and was beaten with a bamboo stick until bloody.  Two women remain in custody, Ms. Gu Junqing (38) and the host of the meeting, Ms. Ren Daoyun (60).  Gu was recently transferred to the Tanghe County Detention Center, Henan Povince.  Eyewitnesses report that Ren had been beaten repeatedly and had passed out several times during the torture.

  Pray for physical and emotional strength for those suffering torture for their faith at this time.  Pray for the release of those imprisoned.  Pray for churches left without a pastor because of these recent arrests.  Pray for delegates of the United States Commission on International Freedom who are visiting China from August 14-28.  Pray that in their investigation, they will be able to go beyond the staged receptions and meetings organized by the Chinese government and document the true state of religious freedom in China.

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

• Allen Yuan Passes Away

  Allen Yuan (Yuan, Xiang Chen), well known and well loved house church pastor in Beijing, who endured more than 20 years of suffering in China's prisons and labour camps, has gone to be with his Lord.  He died in hospital in Beijing at 4 p.m. on Tuesday August 16, 2005.  Brother Yuan was 91 years old.  He had been in hospital since August 4 because of pneumonia.  His funeral will be held on Friday.  Click here to read a more complete obituary of Pastor Yuan.

  Praise the Lord for Brother Yuan's testimony of faithfulness.  Pray for his widow and children as they mourn his passing. Two short video clips featuring Pastor Yuan can be viewed in the Video section of VOMC's multimedia website, www.vomcanada.com.

• Several Christians Arrested in China

  According to an August 8 report from China Aid Association, several members of Chinese house churches have been arrested since the beginning of July. 

  On July 1, approximately seventy believers were arrested in Zhaolou Village, Henan Province during a baptism service.  Ten of them, including Pastor Wang Baode, were sentenced to fifteen days' detention.  The rest were released after paying fines of 300 RMB ($45 CDN) each.

  On July 22, approximately 100 high school students were arrested at Wanzhuang Town, Hebei Province while attending a vocational Bible school.  After hours of interrogation, they were released but were ordered by officials to not gather again.

  The Official Notice from Shanghai banning a House Church Image From China Aid Association

  On July 26, a sixteen-year-old, four hundred member house church in Shanghai was ordered to close.  An official notice was stamped on the gate of the church building declaring that the gathering was "an illegal religious gathering," which must end immediately or the leaders would face "severe administrative punishment."

  Pray for those still suffering in prison for their faith, as well as wisdom and healing for those who have been released.  Pray that those instigating the violence will see the love and peace of God in the lives of the Christians.

  For more information on the ongoing persecution of the Church in China,click here.

• Catholic Mass Raided in China, Priest and Ten Others Arrested

  Chinese authorities have arrested a Roman Catholic priest, a seminarian and nine parishioners who were celebrating mass in a private home in Pingtan, Fujian Province on July 25. According to the Cardinal Kung Foundation, approximately fifty people had gathered to pray for a parishioner suffering with cancer when officials interrupted the service.  Parishioners who attempted to stop the arrests of Father Lin Daixian and the others were beaten and suffered broken bones and teeth as well as brain injuries.  The house was also severely damaged.

  Bishop Jia Zhiguo (L) and Bishop Anthony Dang Mingyan (R) Background: St. Bridget Catholic Church, GuongZhou, China

  This is the fourth time Father Lin has been arrested since October 2000.  He is part of the underground Catholic Church that remains loyal to Rome.  This arrest contrasts with the appointment of Anthony Dang Mingyan as an auxiliary bishop of Xian by the Chinese government and approved by the Vatican.  Such joint approval has been seen as a step in improved relations between China and the Vatican.

  The Persecution and Prayer Alert reported last week on the arrest of Bishop Jia Zhiguo for the seventh time.  Later that day it was confirmed that Bishop Jia had been released. Pray for Father Lin, Bishop Jia and others facing arrest and harassment from Chinese officials.  Pray that the Chinese government will allow its citizens the freedom to worship and practice their faith.

  For more information on the continued persecution of Christians in China, click here.  A fascinating DVD set on the turbulent history of the Church in China, "The Cross: Jesus in China," is available through our online catalogue.

• Update: Continued Harassment of Chinese Bishop

  The July 6 Persecution and Prayer Alert reported on the arrest of Bishop Jia Zhiguo for the sixth time in eighteen months.  Bishop Jia was released on July 7, only to be taken into custody again on July 18.  According to the Zenit news service, Jia was taken by two security officers and required to go on an unidentified tour.

  Pray that Bishop Jia will be released and that the authorities will stop their ongoing harassment of the 71-year-old priest.  Pray for strength for the many Christian leaders presently in Chinese prisons because of their faith in Christ.

  For more information on the persecution facing Chinese Christians,click here.