Church Leaders’ Trial Set for August 21st

ChinaAid 10 August 2023

Minister Yang Rongli standing next to a sign. — Yang Rongli
Photo: ChinaAid

In August 2021, 12 church leaders from the Golden Lampstand Church in Linfen, Shanxi, were arrested – including Pastor Wang Xiaoguang and his wife, Yang Rongli. The government accused the Christians of fraud because the church was collecting money in the form of tithes and offerings to support the ministry.

The authorities attempted to coerce the ten church members to turn against the pastor and his wife in exchange for being released on bail. Some firmly refused; others initially agreed but then later refused, and a few chose to cooperate with the police in the face of the mounting pressures against them. The church members who were released on bail will be represented by lawyers appointed by the government. Those who refused to cooperate have remained in prison for the past two years while awaiting trial.

The church has been notified that the case will be heard on August 21st at the Yaodu District People's Court in Linfen. Prior to this situation, Pastor Wang and his wife previously served time in prison because of their ministry activities. In 2009, they were arrested for "gathering a mob to disturb public order" after organizing a prayer rally (read more). For that conviction, Pastor Wang served four years and Yang seven years in prison. There are concerns that the sentencing for the new charges may be more severe.

Please pray for the upcoming trial, asking that there would be a favourable outcome for these accused Christian leaders, many of whom have patiently endured imprisonment for the past couple of years on false charges. May God minister His perfect peace to their hearts and minds, while providing them wisdom, protection, and the spiritual fortitude they need to stand firm in the midst of ongoing pressure. Also prayerfully uphold all the other members of this persecuted church, who have faced so many trials over the years, praying that these faithful followers of Jesus will likewise be empowered by the Holy Spirit so they can continue leading lives of resilient faith.

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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