Christians Interrogated for Online Book Purchases

ChinaAid, International Christian Concern 21 November 2019

Pray that God's Word will continue
to reach hearts in China.

After having arrested the owner of an online Christian bookstore, Zhang Xiaomai, Chinese authorities are now conducting nationwide investigations relating to purchased books from the company. The Wheat Bookstore has been distributing Christian literature, including Bibles, to people across China.

Customers are being invited to "tea sessions" with local authorities who are requesting they bring any purchased books to the police station where these resources may be confiscated. In other cases, search warrants have been obtained to permit the raiding of homes and the resulting removal of any purchased books.

The bookstore staff has sent a notice to its customers warning them of potential visits by police and offering suggestions. Christians are being advised to delete their order records and hide any books they may have purchased. To learn more about persecution in China, and review the ministry's previously posted reports, check our country report.

As Chinese authorities endeavour to block the distribution of Christian materials to the millions of spiritually needy believers in the country, pray that opportunities will be found to provide these oppressed followers of Christ the tools required for ongoing encouragement, growth and evangelism. Also intercede for Zhang as he contends with this legal matter, as well as those of his customers who may be subjected to police raids and confiscation.

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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