Church leaders released in China

Five Christians have been released from
prison. Praise God! (Photo: ChinaAid) 

Back in May, we shared that Yang Caizhen, a member of the Linfen-Fushan house church in Shanxi province, was released from detention on medical parole (click here for more).

We are pleased to report that three women detained with her – Gao Fuqin, Zhao Guoai and Yang Hongzhen – have also been released. A Christian man, Li Shuangpin, was also freed. Praise God!

All five of these leaders suffered physical and mental torture while detained at labour camps.

The Christians were arrested following a police raid on their church’s grounds in September 2009. More than 30 believers were seriously injured and 17 buildings were destroyed in the attack (click here more information).

The released Christians have shared, “We sincerely urge all brothers and sisters around the world to pray for Linfen church.... At the same time, we also ask brothers and sisters to remember in prayer the Linfen leaders who are still suffering in jail: Brothers Xiao Guang, Yang Xuan and Cui Jiaxing, and sisters Yang Rongli and Zhang Huamei. May the Lord move the police to release them early so that they can be reunited with their families. We who have been released express our most sincere gratitude to the brothers and sisters around the world who have been concerned about us and who have helped us. May God remember your prayers and what you did. God is with as all!”

You can read the full report from ChinaAid here.

The October edition of The Voice of the Martyrs newsletter will include updates on other house churches in China facing opposition from authorities. You can subscribe to this free resource online.