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Photo: Wesley Fryer (cc)

Since 1990, Yuhuan Church's Chengguang Branch has carried on with its ministry in this coastal city of Zhejiang province. In 1997, four buildings were constructed to host church functions. Even though gathering together was banned in 2020, many believers continued to assemble for smaller scale meetings.

On Sunday, February 12th, the church was raided by governmental workers. During the raid, three church leaders were taken away for questioning before being released later that day. However, their congregational meeting space was permanently sealed, and all the Bibles and hymn books found on the premises were confiscated. For more information on the ongoing oppression of Christians by the Chinese Communist Party, or to review previously published reports, go to our country report.

While the members of this church contend with the forceful closure of their worship facility, may they find new ways to gather together for needed ministry and fellowship. Pray that they will receive guidance, strength and encouragement from the Lord, as well as the replacement of confiscated Bibles and other Christian resources. In the meantime, may the materials that were seized during the raid be mightily used to touch the hearts of the authorities involved. Overall, please continue to pray for believers throughout China who are facing renewed oppression from governing officials, asking that our Chinese brothers and sisters in Christ will grow even stronger in their faith as they navigate the challenges imposed on them.

Current Ministry Projects

The Voice of the Martyrs Canada continues to help distribute Bibles to Christians within China, making it possible for them to have their own print version of God's Word. Additionally, VOMC works with various mission partners to facilitate a Biblical understanding of persecution and discipleship, presenting Chinese believers with effective ways in which they can respond and minister within the context of hostility.

Project Funds: Bible (Distribution), Equipping the Saints, Underground Church

Country Information

Designation
Persecuted

Population
1,397,897,720 (July 2021 est.)

Ethnicity (%)
Han Chinese (91.6), Zhuang (1.3), Other (7.1)

Religion (%)
Buddhism (18.3), Christianity (5.2), Islam (1.8), folk religion (21.9), Muslim (2) Hinduism (<0.1), Judaism (<0.1), other (0.7), unaffiliated (51.8)

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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