In January 2020, an outspoken critic of the Chinese Communist Party hosted a conference in the Malaysian capital of Kuala Lumpur.
Five Chinese Christians who attended the event were charged in July 2021 and convicted on 7 January 2022, of “illegally crossing the national border”. These Christians were sentenced to prison terms ranging from six to eight months.
Over the following few months, the believers were gradually released after serving their sentences. On 27 January, Song Shoushan was released having served six months. At the time, he recounted how he was able to share the Gospel message with many “broken people” in the prison. A month later, Zhang Yaowen and Wang Shiqiang were released. The final two remaining Christians, Zhang Ligong and Wang Runyun, were discharged on 27 March. Upon his release, Wang Runyun posted a picture on social media of him holding his children. The post said: “Dear family, we are back home safely. Thank you for your prayers. I am very grateful!”
On 21 November 2021, two other members of the same church, Pastor An Yankui and Zhang Chenghao, were arrested on the same charge. Pastor An Yankui is the preacher of the Taiyuan Zion Reformed Church, which has been a target of persecution from government agencies due to its close relationship with the Early Rain Covenant Church.
In the most recently occurring incident, which took place on 3 April, authorities raided Taiyuan Zion Reformed Church during its Sunday worship service. Seven members were interrogated until early the next morning, including the wives of Pastor An Yankui and Zhang Chenghao. Due to pandemic restrictions, the Christians were not detained further but released on the condition that they each paid a $100 fine.
Source: ChinaAid
Let us pray.
- Praise God that several of these church members have been released and that the five previously mentioned believers were able to share the Gospel while imprisoned.
- Pray for these believers and their families as they now resume faithfully serving the Lord in their community.
- Uphold our other Chinese brothers and sisters in Christ who are still imprisoned and facing charges.
Lord over all and God of the universe, you are the true, only and living God and you rule over all peoples. Indeed, all governments and rulers owe their existence, their authority and responsibilities to you.
We pray earnestly for the nation of China, its peoples and leaders. We pray for a pouring out and mighty work of your Holy Spirit in China that they might become a beacon for the Gospel of the Lord Jesus and an influence for good in the world. Lord Jesus we praise you that several believers have been released after detention, trials and imprisonment and that the five previously mentioned believers were able to share the Gospel while imprisoned.
We pray for these believers and their families as they now resume faithfully serving the Lord in their community. Give them courage, a growing ripening of the fruit of the Spirit and an increasing faith and knowledge of God as they seek to serve and love you with all their heart, soul, mind and strength.
Uphold our other Chinese brothers and sisters in Christ who are still imprisoned and facing charges. Give us regular and faithful remembrance of them and help us to support them in our prayers and offerings. Lord have mercy.