Update: Chinese church leader given severe prison sentence

Alimujiang Yimiti and his family Photos from ChinaAid

Alimujiang Yimiti (36), a Uyghur Chinese house church leader who was arrested and imprisoned in January 2008 (click here for more information), has received a 15-year prison sentence for allegedly "providing state secrets to overseas organizations." The verdict, which stunned Yimiti's lawyers and family members, was read to him in prison on October 27. One of Yimiti's lawyers, Li Dunyong, has reportedly filed an appeal on his behalf. Li Dunyong also stated that Yimiti's Muslim background was a factor in his legal battle, stating, "The whole case is about religious faith issues which are being used against for his conversion from Islam to Christianity, by biased law enforcement agents, prosecutors and the court." (Source: ChinaAid)

Pray that Yimiti will continue to draw near to his Heavenly Father amid his trials. Pray for Yimiti's wife and children, who are suffering many challenges in his absence. To post a prayer in support of Yimiti and his family, visit our Persecuted Church Prayer Wall.

For more on the suffering of Chinese Christians, go to the China Country Report.

Update: Chinese authorities step up campaign against Christians

Pastor Yang Rongli Photo from ChinaAid

The central government in China has reportedly intensified its campaign against Christian activity in the country, targeting both registered and unregistered churches. (Source: ChinaAid)

On November 2, Judge Sun of the Linfen Intermediate Court instructed the families of the five remaining imprisoned leaders and pastors of the Linfen-Fushan Church in Shanxi province (click here for more information) to hire lawyers to defend them in an immediate trial. Even though the believers have been detained for over 50 days, their families had not received prior warning or notification of arrest. One of the imprisoned leaders, Pastor Yang Rongli, has been transferred to the Taiyuan City Detention Center, a high-security prison directly controlled by the central government. Local sources have expressed particular concern for her safety.

On the evening of November 12, Public Security officials sealed the doors and locked down the Wanbang Missionary Church in Shanghai, which was earlier banned by authorities on November 2 (click here for more information). While officials were barring the church entrance, believers banded together to protect the associate pastor as he escaped into the crowd. Two days earlier, a formal notice of abolishment was issued to the senior pastor of the church. The seven pastors also received notices stating that they are "self-claimed illegal preachers" and ordering them to cease their "illegal religious activities." Many of the 2000 members of the church have been severely questioned and threatened in recent weeks by members of multiple agencies. The senior pastor's cell phone number has been terminated and the church's website forcibly shut down.

Pray that the detained Christians from the Linfen-Fushan church will be found innocent and be released. Ask God to protect and encourage Pastor Yang Rongli. Pray for strength and endurance for the members of the Wanbang Missionary Church. Pray that religious freedom will be respected by Chinese authorities.

Chinese student expelled from school for his Christian faith

Chen Le Photo from ChinaAid

Chen Le, a second-year high school student, was officially expelled from Huashan Middle School on October 20 after he signed a document confirming his Christian faith, according to an October 25 report from ChinaAid. The official notice of expulsion stated, " was found by Bazhou Public Security Agency and other related agencies to have engaged in Christian gatherings. His school was notified that it should educate the student and persuade him to mend his ways. However…this student persists in his belief that he should not renounce his Christian belief. He can't promise that he will not believe in Christianity or attend Christian activities."

Due to the expulsion, Chen Le is now barred from taking the mandatory college entrance exam, disallowing him to pursue further education. Chen Le has responded saying, "I would rather be forced out of school, than deny my faith."

Thank God for the bold faith of Chen Le. Ask God to open a door for him so he may continue in his education. You can stand in solidarity with Chen Le by posting a prayer for him on our Persecuted Church Prayer Wall.

Learn more about how Christians are persecuted for their faith in China at the China Country Report.

Update: Chinese pastor released

Pastor Hua Huiqi, who was arrested by officials on September 17 (read the story), was released on October 10, according to an October 12 report from ChinaAid. He was not physically mistreated during his detention in a secret location. Upon his release, however, officials reportedly threatened to harm his 13-year-old daughter if he "caused any trouble." Pastor Hua, who is recovering at home, has urged the international community to continue praying for his ailing Christian mother, Shuang Shuying, who has also faced imprisonment. He has also requested prayer for his dying brother, Hua Huilin.

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Franklin Graham Preaches to 10,000 at China Megachurch

The Christian Post reports that 10,000 people packed a Chinese church to hear American evangelist Franklin Graham on Sunday. The sermon at Bethel Church of Baoding, located about 120 miles south of Beijing, was Graham's second to the Chinese people in two years. "I'm here today to tell you that not only does God know who you are, He loves you," the evangelist said. Graham's grandfather worked in China as a medical director for 25 years, and his mother, the late Ruth Bell Graham, was born there. While house churches and unapproved denominations often face discrimination and persecution from Chinese authorities, the church where Graham preached is affiliated with the government-approved Three-Self Patriotic Movement and the China Christian Council.

Chinese pastor and wife forced to vacate home

Pastor Zhang Photo from ChinaAid

Pastor Zhang "Bike" Mingxuan and his wife were forcibly escorted from their home on the morning of September 23 by Beijing Public Security Bureau and Religious Affairs officials, according to a September 25 report from ChinaAid. The two are being detained at an undisclosed location in Henan to "preserve stability in the province" for China's National Day celebrations on October 1. Pastor Zhang, the leader of the Chinese House Church Alliance, has been frequently attacked and detained by officials (click here for more details). He has been warned against speaking or communicating with outside sources about his detention, especially the foreign media. The couple will reportedly be held for the duration of the National Day celebrations.

Ask God to sustain and protect Pastor Zhang and his wife while in detention. Pray for significant and lasting advances in religious freedom in China.

The October edition of The Voice of the Martyrs Newsletter shares the testimonies of other Chinese Christians under fire for their faith. Sign up for a free subscription today. Find out more about the plight of Chinese Christians at the China Country Report.

http://www.persecution.net/

Chinese Christian Sentenced to Jail for Helping N. Korean Refugees

Dan Wooding

September 4, 2009

INNER MONGOLIA (ANS) -- According to ChinaAid, Christians Li Mingshun and Zhang Yonghu were indicted by the Erlianhaote City People's Procuratorate on July 31, 2009, for aiding North Korean refugees fleeing toSouth Korea through China.

Li and Zhang were among several Christians helping to provide food, shelter, and transportation for the 61 refugees crossing Northern Chinese provinces intoMongolia, where neutral state laws permit residents to seek asylum in South Korea.

Alerted as the refugees crossed into Mongolia, the Border Brigade of Erlianhaote city traveled to Qindao,Heilongjiang province, and arrested Li Mingshun on April 29, 2009.

A ChinaAid spokesperson told ANS, "The trial was held August 17, 2009 in the Erlianhaote City People's Court.Human rights lawyers defending Li and Zhang hoped to raise awareness concerning the Chinese government's treatment of North Korean refugees through this case.

"On August 30, 2009, Ms. Li was found guilty for her humanitarian activities by the Erlianhaote Procuratorate, (officially charged with 'human smuggling across the border'). She was sentenced to ten years in prison. Ms. Li's family in Qindao City received the verdict the morning of August 30.

"Mr. Zhang received a seven-year sentence for organizing transportation for the refugees to Inner Mongolia. Li's family reports they will be submitting an appeal for Li and Zhang's lawful release.

"The verdict underscores years of continued persecution for North Koreans in China, who have been denied refugee-status by the Chinese government and repatriated in violation of the UNHCR Convention andProtocol Relating to the Status of Refugees, which China signed in 1982."

The ChinaAid spokesperson went on to say, "The costs of repatriation are dire. Refugees face charges of treason upon their return to the home country, punishable by death, detention and/or lifelong imprisonment in labor camps. Detained Korean women and children in China are frequently sold into the sex-slave trade, disappearing from the formal record into the human trafficking void. Many Chinese and Korean Christians, like Li and Zhang, work with underground networks to aid these refugees as they seek freedom from persecution, only to be arrested and charged as criminals."

President of ChinaAid Xiqiu "Bob" Fu responded to Li and Zhang's sentences, saying: "I am shocked at how the Chinese government treats its own humanitarian workers. They are innocent! We must urge the international community to voice their concerns for the persecuted North Korean refugees and the humanitarian workers who serve them in their time of need."

He further called for the Chinese government to honor the Li family's appeal, find them innocent under the Chinese law, and release Li Mingshun and Zhang Yonghu."

Copyright 2009 ASSIST News Service