More Olympic Persecution of Christians

The following is reported from the China Aid Association:

1. "Pastor Hua Huiqi, who was evicted from his rental apartment in Beijing on July 2, and subsequently forced to leave China’s capital, was arrested Sunday while trying to attend a service at a state-approved church. The service at the Three Self-Patriotic Movement’s Kuanjie Church was attended by U.S. President George W. Bush. According to China Aid Association, Pastor Hua was walking to the state-approved church early Sunday morning when he was detained by the Chinese police. After about six hours, Pastor Hua took an opportunity and fled. He is now at large. Pastor Hua once had his door welded shut by Chinese police to keep him inside. In another incident, a policeman used a 10-pound hammer to break the locks on his door to evict Pastor Hua and his family including his 90-year-old father. Since that incident a couple of months ago Pastor Hua has been basically homeless. Government officials have labeled Hua a trouble-maker and stated their intention was to detain Hua until after the Olympic Games."

2."Pastor Zhang Zhongxin is appealing his two-year sentence to a reeducation labor camp. In July, Chinese authorities convicted him of being a member of a cult, organizing Sunday school activities and sharing the gospel. Since Pastor Zhang’s imprisonment, members of his church have also been imprisoned and others have been harassed by police. In addition, Bibles and Christian materials have been confiscated from their homes. In 2005, Zhongxin established The Rainbow Missions Fellowship and Timothy Bible training school, in Jining city, Shandong Province, where Christian leaders are trained." His hearing was Aug. 14. We are waiting for the outcome.

We must continue to pray for our Chinese brethren. Pray for Divine protection for the Christian leaders and their families. Pray that the captors will see Jesus Christ in their prisoners and be converted. Pray for the Christians to remain strong in the face of persecution. And finally, pray that we will be as faithful as they are presently.