Priests Arrested for Reasons Unknown

01 March 2006

China flag, rosary and prayer book According to the Cardinal Kung Foundation, Father Lu Genjun (44) and Father Guo Yanli (39) were arrested by security officials while waiting for a friend to arrive at the Baoding train station on February 17. No information on the reasons for the arrest has yet been made public. Sources report that Guo has been sent to the Xushui County detention centre. The location of Lu is unknown. Lu has been detained twice before. He served three years in prison following his arrest in 1998 and an unspecified period of time in 2004. Guo has not been previously arrested.

Despite the best efforts of China's Communist government, the Church in China is growing rapidly, particularly unregistered groups. According to a February 28 report from Asia News, one-third of all Communist Party members belong to some type of religious organization, despite prohibitions from the Central Committee. It is estimated that ten million Party members are actively involved in religious activities.

Pray that Father Lu Genjun and Father Guo Yanli will know the peace that comes with resting in Christ, even in the most difficult circumstances. Pray that they will soon be released. Praise the Lord with us that the Body of Christ is growing in China, even within the ranks of those who officially oppose it. Pray that believers will remain steadfast in their faith, unmoving in their commitment to live and spread the truth of the Gospel.

For more information on the persecution of Christians in China, click here. Various resources on China, including a 4-DVD set on the history of Christianity in China, are available on VOMC's online catalog.

China

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.

China News

Suspended Sentences Revoked for Two Believers

Elder Xue Shaoqiang and Sister
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Photo: ChinaAid

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One of the church members being interrogated by police.
Photo: ChinaAid

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Pastor Huang Yizi
Photo: ChinaAid

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Pastor Chang Shun with one of his children.
Photo: ChinaAid

Since 2021, Pastor Chang Shun of the Maizhong Reformed Church in Fuyang City has encountered ongoing harassment from Chinese authorities. Unfortunately, all his appeals, in response to the multiple administrative detentions and fines he received over the years, have been unsuccessful. In 2023, Pastor Chang's church was officially banned by the government. Most recently, the harassed church leader was detained on June 29th during a raid by law enforcement officers. In this latest occurrence, he was taken into custody alongside Elder Ma Tao on suspicion of "organizing illegal gatherings." Several visiting friends and family members of Pastor Chang were also detained. Authorities forcibly relocated the visiting individuals, loading their belongings onto trucks and sending them back to their hometowns with strict orders not to return to Fuyang.

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