Advocate in America Faces Death Threats

 

Bob Fu - Photo: ChinaAid
Photo: ChinaAid

Bob Fu (Fu Xiqiu), the founder and president of ChinaAid, is a ministry partner with The Voice of the Martyrs. In addition to providing support for Christians in China, the organization he established in 2002 highlights human rights abuses in the country.

Recently, Guo Wengui (also known Miles Kwok) has been posting YouTube videos naming several Chinese Americans whom he claims are "agents of the Chinese Communist Party" (CCP). Among those listed is Bob Fu, whose integrity as a sincere follower of Christ and concerned advocate for true justice has been well proven over the years. His accuser, Guo, is a Chinese billionaire who came to the United States in 2015 after allegedly falling out of favour with the CCP. In the videos, Guo calls for his supporters to "eliminate" Bob.

Busloads of protestors, many apparently from out of state, have been demonstrating in front of Bob's house in Midland, Texas. Going door-to-door in the neighbourhood, they have distributed flyers claiming him to be a "fake pastor" and "evil cheater." Protest signs declare that he is a Chinese spy. As federal and local authorities believe that the threats are real, they have taken Bob and his family to a safe location for protection. However, the security measures have not stopped the protestors, who are refusing to disclose where they are from and whether or not they are being paid to be there.

Bob says that he has never met Guo, nor had any dealings with him. Despite Guo's claims of many others being engaged as CCP agents, it's believed that Guo himself is actually working on behalf of the CCP, seeking to discredit the ministry of ChinaAid. In 2019, a commercial research firm, Strategic Vision, sued Guo, stating that he was a "dissident hunter, propagandist, and agent in the service of the People's Republic of China and the Chinese Communist Party."

Bob has the close support of many leaders locally, nationally, and around the world. In June, VOMC's Greg Musselman had the opportunity to speak with Bob about the increasing persecution of Christians in China. This informative video interview is available here.

Prayerfully uphold Bob, his wife Heidi, and their children, as they adapt to their new surroundings after being forced to leave their home. Despite the constant threat of harm, may they rest in the assurance that the Lord is watching over them and providing a place of refuge in His loving arms. May God also mightily intervene in the lives of their opposers so that, by His infinite grace, the truth will prevail, hostility will dissipate, and the protests will stop -- allowing Bob and his family to resume living in peace and safety within their home community. Last but not least, keep the ministry of ChinaAid in your prayers, asking God to continue using it to reveal the plight of persecuted believers and, at the same time, express the love of Christ to others who are in desperate need of eternal salvation (Matthew 16:26).

  • 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.