ESV: 1-Year Bible Reading Plan

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2014-02-12

Secret Church

Secret Church


What Does “The Cross & Everyday Life” Mean?

Posted: 11 Feb 2014 10:01 PM PST

Remember to register for the simulcast sooner rather than later so that you aren’t cutting it too closely. If the prospect of  ”late-comers” has kept you from signing up, keep in mind that you can always purchase another package later, or, if you purchase package 7 (over 75 participants), buy additional study guides.

Pray for Chinese Pastor and Church Family

Posted: 11 Feb 2014 11:01 AM PST

The following post originally appeared at Voice of the Martyrs. Let this report guide your prayers for Pastor Zhang, the members the church still imprisoned, and the rest of the church family suffering from threats and opposition. Pastor Zhang’s trial is tomorrow, but with the time change, pray today!

Chinese FlagThree of the 12 Nanle County Christian Church members who have been imprisoned since mid-November 2013 have been released, but their pastor still faces a criminal trial on Feb. 12. The three women, Zhao Xiping, 47; Yang Miling, 40; and Sheyin Duanmu, 44, were released on Jan. 24 from Nanle County Detention Center.

Pastor Zhang Shaojie, 49, was arrested on Nov. 16 after a meeting with local government officials. About 20 people who protested the pastor's arrest were detained or arrested in the following days.

The pastor now faces charges of "fraud" and "gathering a mob to disrupt public order." Although he was allowed to see his attorney on Jan. 16, government officials have postponed his trial date of Jan. 28 to Feb. 12. Lawyers involved in the Nanle County case have been beaten and even threatened with having their credentials revoked. Local officials have also tried to prevent Zhang and other church members from hiring particular lawyers.

Pastor Zhang's family and other church members have continued to face persecution from local government authorities. Zhang's eldest daughter received harassing phone calls in which authorities threatened to "wipe out her entire family" for trying to contact higher authorities and report on the persecution of the church. Fearing for her life, she fled to another town with her husband and 10-month-old child.

Zhang's youngest daughter was held in the detention center for a short period of time. The family's Internet service was stopped and the tires on their vehicle were slashed in apparent attempts to prevent them from connecting with those outside the Nanle County area. The local government has also prohibited church members from worshiping at the church.

Among those still imprisoned is Wu Guishan, the 43-year-old husband of Zhao Xiping, one of the women just released from the detention center. The couple was detained in November because of their interaction with the church. They have two school-aged children. Their eldest daughter dropped out of school to try to locate Wu, who was taken by authorities when he tried to appeal his case. His location is currently unknown. The couple's 15-year-old son was taken to an orphanage while his parents were imprisoned.

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