Chen Wensheng Sentenced to 19 Months

ChinaAid 04 July 2024

Chen Wensheng is smiling. — Chen Wensheng
Photo: ChinaAid

Chen Wensheng is no stranger to arrests and police intimidation. A radically reformed former drug addict, the Christian evangelist has travelled throughout China to share his testimony, gaining the nickname of "Gospel Warrior." (See these other reports about this faithful believer.)

Following his most recent arrest in August 2023, Chen faced trial on April 18th for "organizing and financing illegal gatherings." For unspecified reasons, the court hearing was treated as a high security trial, with the entire street blocked off and approximately 40 black-clad "special police" officers stationed nearby. As a result, the Christian man's family and friends were unable to enter the court building to attend the trial. On June 20th, the verdict was announced, stating that Chen has been sentenced to one year and seven months in prison. The detained believer intends to appeal this decision.

Over recent years, opposition by the Chinese Communist Party against Christians has continued to increase throughout the country. In the former British colony of Hong Kong, the freedoms that the people had enjoyed previously are slowly eroding as the Communist Party increasingly takes control. In a recent video-recorded interview published by Release International, Bob Fu of ChinaAid addresses the escalating oppression that has caused thousands of Chinese Christians to flee to the United Kingdom. This brief but informative interview may be viewed by going to VOMCanada.com/video/ri-fu.

Pray that Chen's appeal will be successful, and that this dear brother in Christ would be released from custody. In the meanwhile, may any term this believer spends in prison serve as an added opportunity to share the Good News of the salvation, hope and freedom that's available through faith in Jesus Christ. Continue to pray for wisdom, courage and spiritual fortitude on behalf of the millions of Christians in China who are facing opposition because of their allegiance to Christ.

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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