Church Leader Formally Arrested

Source: ChinaAid 05 August 2021

Zhao Weikai - Photo: ChinaAid — Zhao Weikai
Photo: ChinaAid

On July 20th, the Wenshui County procuratorate approved the arrest of Zhao Weikai, a leader of the Xuncheng Reformed Church in Taiyuan, Shanxi Province. The Public Security Bureau also issued an arrest notice for his wife, Li Xin. Brother Zhao has been charged with "illegal holding of materials promoting terrorism and extremism."

Prior to the arrest, the couple's home was raided by the authorities on May 17th, resulting in the seizure of various books and computer equipment. As part of the raid, Zhao was sentenced to a 15-day administrative detention sentence (read more). While detained, police again invaded their home where they found video documentaries on the 1989 Tiananmen massacre and the 2009 Xinjiang riots. These old videos were used as evidence for the charge issued against Zhao.

Prayerfully uphold Zhao and his wife Li Xin as they deal with the heightened governmental restrictions, including this recent arrest, due to their unrelenting faith in Jesus Christ. Pray that God will bestow wisdom upon their representing lawyer and the officials of the court, granting this wrongfully treated Christian couple a favourable and just outcome. In the meantime, may these faithful followers of Jesus receive the physical, emotional and spiritual strength required to not only endure this time of imprisonment but, of even greater importance, rise victoriously over it – shining His bright light amid the darkness surrounding them and seizing every opportunity to lift up His wonderful name (John 12:32).

Current Ministry Projects
The Voice of the Martyrs Canada continues to help distribute Bibles to Christians in the country, making it possible for them to have their own printed version of God's Word. Additionally, VOMC works with various mission partners to facilitate a Biblical understanding of persecution and discipleship, while presenting ways to effectively respond and minister within the context of hostility.

Project Funds: Underground Church, Bible, Relief & Development
Country Information
Population
1,413,142,846 (2023 est.)

Ethnicity (%)
Han Chinese (91.1), ethnic minorities (8.9 - includes Zhang, Hui, Manchu, Uighur, Miao, Yi, Tujia, Tibetan, Mongol, Dong, Buyei, Yao, Bai, Korean, Hani, Li, Kazakh, Dai, and other nationalities) (2021 est.)

Religion (%)
Folk religion (21.9), Buddhist (18.2), Christian (5.1), Muslim (1.8), Hindu (< 0.1), Jewish (< 0.1), other (0.7 - includes Daoist [Taoist]), unaffiliated (52.1) (2021 est.)

Leader
President Xi Jinping (2013)

Government type
Communist party-led state

Legal system
Based on civil law system; influenced by Soviet and continental European civil law systems

Sources: CIA World Factbook
Pray for China
Pray that the Gospel will be proclaimed throughout China without government interference so many more names can be added to the Lamb's "Book of Life." May there also be a spirit of unity demonstrated among the country's growing churches, further strengthening existing believers and spurring them on in their ministry service and evangelistic outreach within the country's numerous communities.

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Pastor Huang Yizi
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