NEWS RELEASE

The Voice of the Martyrs, Inc. http://www.persecution.com

House churches raided in China; three leaders arrested

Officers of the Chinese Public Security Bureau (PSB) raided a house church meeting in Xiao Shan City, Zhejiang Province, very early on July 13, breaking up a prayer and devotional meeting, assaulting Christians and arresting at least three church leaders. The raid came at 4 a.m. on a Sunday morning, when Christians were meeting for prayer.

One of those arrested was Shao Cheng Shen, who helped to found the church more than 25 years ago. Shen is more than 80 years old. The other men arrested were Wei Min Xu and Chong Dao Gao, both leaders in the congregation, which is located several hours from Shanghai. Police did not offer any arrest warrants or documentation for their actions.

The three men are being held at an unknown location, and their families had not been told their whereabouts or allowed to see them.

Another Christian, Brother Huiliang Wong, 45, was on the PSB’s “most-wanted list” but escaped out a window of the church during the raid. During the recent SARS scare, Wong wrote a gospel tract citing the fear of SARS and urging people to follow Christ. He remains in hiding.

The church, which is connected with “The Little Flock” founded by Chinese Christian Watchman Nee, has had other run-ins with Chinese authorities. Three times in the church’s history their building has been destroyed by government agents. But each time the congregation has rebuilt the building, even without government permission.

During the recent SARS scare, the government ordered the church in a suburb of Xiao Shan City to stop meeting, claiming they were trying to fight the spread of SARS. Church members continued to meet, in spite of the disease and government orders.

The government Religious Affairs Bureau has repeatedly tried to convince church leaders to register their church and join the Three Self Patriotic Movement (TSPM), which would force the church to come under government control.

An affiliated congregation in Heng Peng Village was raided during services on July 6, when more than 300 PSB officers and military police came and demolished the church building. This church also had refused to register with Communist religious authorities. The believers continue to meet, gathering in homes and other locations to worship.

“These attacks on Christians in China show the fear that the Communist government has of the growth of the house churches,” said Todd Nettleton, a spokesman for The Voice of the Martyrs. “What possible threat could an 80-year-old man be to the Communist government?”

The Voice of the Martyrs urges American Christians to pray for these believers in custody, especially that God would give them opportunities to share the Good News with police officers and fellow prisoners.

American Christians wishing to make a polite protest to the Chinese embassy on behalf of these believers should contact: Ambassador Yang Jiechi Embassy of the People’s Republic of China 2300 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington DC 20008 Tel:(202) 328-2500 Fax:(202) 588-0032 Director of Religious Affairs: (202) 328-2512

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