Sisters Released After Repeated Detainment


Officers detain members of the Daguan
house church in a raid on May 24th.
Photo: China Aid

Three sisters from China's southwestern Guizhou province who were detained in mid-October for worshipping God in their home have been released, although other members of their house church are still awaiting a final decision from the court. An anonymous member of the Daguan house church stated on November 22nd that the women were released from their administrative detention after serving a 15-day sentence. The only reason given for the detention was that they had "violated the public security administrative punishment law." In a previous incident, the same three women were detained in June for "illegal assembly" and "organizing cult activities." Thankfully, in that situation as well, they had been granted release after serving a short detention.

A brother related to the three women is still presently in detainment, along with four other Daguan house church members. Authorities detained these five Christians during two separate raids which took place on May 24th and June 7th. The June raid had occurred during a church meeting in one of the believers' homes. The legal procuratorate involved decided that the evidence provided by the public security bureau was insufficient and, therefore, the case was returned to the bureau for further investigation.

Unfortunately, remaining members of the Daguan house church, which was founded 13 years ago, have not gathered since the raids took place earlier this year for fear of retaliation. "We dare not meet," one of the Christians admitted while referencing due concern over the consequences. "We would get arrested immediately." Other reports on religious persecution in China can be reviewed at this page.

Despite the injustices these Chinese Christians have endured, may the Lord reassure them of His abiding presence -- filling them with an even greater hope in Him and an increased love for others, so that even in prison their gentleness will be evident to all (Philippians 4:5). As members of the Daguan house church and other congregations in China await the release of detained friends and loved ones, may they be able to continue their times of fellowship together...faithfully meeting as unto the Lord. In the meanwhile, please pray that further attacks against these believers will falter, and those who oppose them will realize the error of their ways and turn from evil.

  • 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

  • House Church Bible Study Gathering Raided
    Three police officers are browsing through a phone as a church member looks on.
    One of the church members being interrogated by police.
    Photo: ChinaAid

    Several Christians were gathered on the morning of August 22nd for a Bible study at the Beijing Holy Love Fellowship church when multiple police officers suddenly entered the facility. After demanding to see the believers' identification cards, the authorities recorded the personal details of all those who were present. At the time of publishing this report, no official statement or charges have been issued by the Beijing police.

  • Pastor Arrested for "Illegal Business Operations"
    Huang Yizi is speaking on the phone while in prison.
    Pastor Huang Yizi
    Photo: ChinaAid

    Pastor Huang Yizi, a prominent church leader in Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province, was informed on July 30th that he had been formally charged with "illegal business practices" relating to the distribution of sermon recordings. The Christian leader and several other church members were initially taken into custody on June 26th. At the time, the reason for their arrests was unclear. (A previously published report about the arrests is available here.) However, following the recent announcement of formal charges, further information has now come to light.

  • Detained Pastor's Family Faces Harassment
    Chang Shun is holding his little boy. Both are smiling.
    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.