Evangelist Released for the Sixth Time This Year

ChinaAid 21 October 2021

Chen Wensheng has gained a reputation as a "Gospel Warrior" for his evangelistic work. After this former drug addict came to faith in Christ, he zealously desired to spread the wonderful news of the miraculous freedom he had experienced. Following examples of the disciples in the Bible, he travelled to many towns and cities preaching the Gospel and holding crosses with thought-provoking slogans such as "Glorious Saviour," "Repent," "Believe" and "Saved."

As a result of his ongoing efforts, Chen became well known to Chinese Communist Party officials. In June, the enthusiastic evangelist was approached by a national security agent who confronted Chen about his proclamation of the Gospel to more than 1,000 people. The agent then showed him a news report from a foreign organization about his evangelistic work. Convinced that there was a support team behind Chen, the agent further questioned him. In response, the Christian worker quoted the words of Luke 21:15: "...for I (the Lord) will give you a mouth and wisdom, which none of your adversaries will be able to withstand or contradict."

So far, throughout 2021, Chen has been detained six times. On September 26th, officers took him to the police station to prevent him from attending a Sunday service. They hoped he would give up spreading the Gospel, but instead he shared the message with the officers. As a result, he was detained for a duration of 15 days. Upon his release on October 11th, he posted the following social media message: "Hallelujah! Thank You, God, for Your grace and presence. Thank you (friends) for your prayers.... Now I can go out to spread the Gospel again."

Praise God for Chen's dedicated ministry service and his heart of compassion towards the spiritually lost, as he willingly risks his life and freedom in order to reach others with the "Good News" of Jesus Christ. In addition to thanking the Lord that Chen has been freed again, please pray that this servant's impassioned outreach, heart of love for others, and other characteristics of the "fruit of the Spirit" (Galatians 5:22-23), will continue to serve as a strong witness of God's life-transforming power.

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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