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Displaced Church Leader Continues to Receive Threats

ChinaAid 30 July 2026

Zhang Mei is smiling. She is surrounded by others who also look happy. — Zhang Mei is pictured in front centre, wearing a red scarf.
Photo: ChinaAid

Zhang Mei served as a lay leader in house churches across Yueyang, Hunan Province, for over 30 years. Zhang and her daughter, Li Dixuan, have since left China and are now living in Texas, where Li has married an American citizen. The mother and daughter have both applied for asylum in the United States.

Recently, Chinese authorities have been repeatedly contacting Zhang, demanding that she and her daughter return to China. Her husband, who remains in China, has also received similar inquiries from state security officials. This ongoing harassment comes only days after coordinated police raids targeted several house churches in Yueyang. (See more details on these incidents.) Church members and acquaintances have urged Zhang and Li not to return, warning of the potential legal consequences and personal risks they would face, particularly in light of the latest raids on Christian communities in the region.

Dr. Bob Fu, president of ChinaAid, has known Li since 2020, when she was studying at Dallas Baptist University. Highlighting the reality that persecution can continue beyond national borders, he stated: "No family seeking safety in the United States should have to fear harassment from a foreign government." Previously published reports addressing the various challenges facing Christians in China are available at our country profile.

Pray that Zhang, Li and other believers who have sought refuge outside of China will experience God's peace, protection and loving care as they attempt to rebuild their lives in a new country.
May the Lord make a way for Zhang and Li to receive asylum, sparing them from having to return to circumstances through which they would risk prosecution because of their faith in Christ.
Prayerfully uphold the many other believers in Yueyang and across China where churches have been disrupted by governmental interference. Pray that they too will be strengthened in their faith, encouraged by times of Christian fellowship, and given opportunities to worship and grow spiritually together despite the present challenges.

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

Displaced Church Leader Continues to Receive Threats

Zhang Mei is pictured in front centre, wearing a red scarf.
Photo: ChinaAid

Zhang Mei served as a lay leader in house churches across Yueyang, Hunan Province, for over 30 years. Zhang and her daughter, Li Dixuan, have since left China and are now living in Texas, where Li has married an American citizen. The mother and daughter have both applied for asylum in the United States.

Read more...
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Church leaders in Yueyang, Hunan Province
Photo via ChinaAid

Police carried out coordinated raids on multiple house churches in the city of Yueyang, Hunan Province, on July 11th. Numerous church members were taken into custody for interrogation. During the detainment, the authorities collected fingerprints, DNA samples, voice recordings and written statements.

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Pastor Ezra Jin Mingri
Photo: ChinaAid

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A scene from the Xinjiang region.
Photo: Wikimedia / Hiroki Ogawa (CC)

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