Photo via ChinaAid
On July 11th, police in the city of Yueyang, Hunan Province, conducted a series of coordinated raids on various house churches. (For more details regarding these incidents, see this previously posted report.) Among the targeted congregations was the Panshi Bible Church. Although most of the arrested church members were released shortly afterwards, Pastor Huang Shi Tou, along with two other believers, remained in custody.
The three detained followers of Jesus were initially sentenced to 15 days of administrative detention. However, instead of being released at the end of that period, they were transferred to criminal detention on charges of "illegal use of information networks."
As of July 29th, Pastor Huang has been permitted to meet with his attorney. Unfortunately, at the time of compiling this report, no information was made available concerning the other two believers, Hu Hongtao and Yang Jianjun. Fellow church members have expressed concerns for all three detained leaders and their families. For example, Pastor Huang suffers from the ongoing effects of tuberculosis; and his wife, who has a chronic illness, depends on him for her daily care. Additionally, Hu Hongtao's wife, whose father has also been critically ill, is currently 33 weeks pregnant.
The use of criminal charges against leaders and other members of unregistered churches has increased within recent years, often resulting in longer detention periods and more severe penalties. Further reports addressing the challenges facing our Christian brothers and sisters in China are available at our country profile.
- Pray that Pastor Huang, Hu and Yang – along with the many other believers who are currently detained in Yueyang or other parts of China – will be released soon, and that all the charges against them would be dropped.
- In the interim, may the Lord minister in uniquely personal ways to each of these imprisoned believers, as well as their concerned family members, by meeting all of their daily spiritual and practical needs through His divinely orchestrated means of provision, healing and encouragement.
- Ask the Lord to likewise continue strengthening and sustaining His church throughout China, filling the hearts of His followers with wisdom, faith and courage as they faithfully serve Him amid increasing persecution.
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