China: Eight House Church Leaders Still in Detention
Jul 09 2007
Postings >> China

Eight house Christian leaders are still in detention after raids on church activities in Shaanxi and Shandong provinces.

A total of 12 church leaders were arrested as they distributed Bibles in a marketplace in Jiaocheng county, Shaanxi. Four of the 12 were released on the same day, June 9, and six more were freed six days later.

The remaining two -- Zhou Jieming and Niu Wenbin -- have been accused of being part of an 'evil cult' and of obstructing law-enforcement. Their homes were raided soon after their arrest and many pieces of Christian literature confiscated.

Meanwhile, on June 15, Public Security Bureau officials raided a worship service at a house church in Cao county, Shandong, arresting six leaders. The Voice of the Martyrs Canada reports that the six are now being held at Cao County detention centre -- and have been promised long spells at labour camps unless they pay 10,000 yuan (about £650).

Pray for the swift release of all eight church leaders. Ask God to bless their families as they wait for news of their loved ones.

Pray that, in the meantime, the church leaders will be a huge blessing to their fellow inmates.