Escalating Attacks on Christian Education

Child learning chemistry. - Photo: Unsplash
Pray for wisdom as parents seek to train their children in the ways of the Lord.

For years, Christian parents in China have encountered challenges due to the indoctrination imposed on their families by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), as well as difficulties when trying to provide Biblical training to their children. Churches frequently face punishment for allowing children to attend worship services, and several youth Bible camps have been raided by authorities.

On September 4th, a Christian music high school was raided and charges of "enticing minors to religion" were laid against the school (read more). During the incident, all staff and students were arrested. Although the students and most of the faculty were later released, the principal of the school remained detained.

The government's efforts to eliminate Christian education continued when the Chinese branch of the Abeka Academy in Suzhou was raided on October 12th. Affiliated with the Pensacola Christian College in the United States, the Abeka Academy provides home schooling courses around the world. The program had been gaining popularity in China, causing the authorities to claim it was in violation of the Chinese constitution. Five staff members were arrested in the raid, including the Chinese director, Wang Jian.

The next day, a Christian school in Zhenjiang was also raided. Officers took ten children into custody, along with three teachers and three parents. The pupils were quickly released; however, at last report, the others were still detained.

New restrictions for religious institutions in the country were issued on September 1st, outlining new principles and responsibilities for organizations offering religious education. It is possible that this new crackdown is a response to those measures. To learn more about the persecution facing Christians in China, go to our country report.

Please prayerfully uphold the members of these churches in China, especially those who are parents seeking to raise their children in the ways of the Lord (Deuteronomy 6:7). Also remember the mentioned believers who have been detained, praying that they will be freed and not subjected to any fines nor prison sentences. Pray that the educators of the Christian schools still operating in the country will be given wisdom and encouragement as they endeavour to honour God by encouraging children in the surrounding communities, and their families, to develop a deep love for Jesus amid a hostile environment.

  • 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.