Release International

A church in Guangdong province has been thrown out of rented accommodation yet again in an apparent bid by officials to force its pastor to give up his ministry.

Liangren Church in Guangzhou city had been meeting in Zhuying Garden Hotel for just one month when the authorities intervened to end the lease. This has happened 'several dozens of times' since May 2008, according to its pastor, Wang Dao.

Pastor Wang, who is currently on bail and facing criminal charges, has recently endured two days of harassment by officials threatening to evict him from his home unless he joins the officially recognised Three-Self Patriotic Church.

On August 12 and 13, he had a succession of visits from security officers, police and government officials at his home in Chengzhong village. He was eventually taken in for questioning at a local police station where he was again warned not to engage in religious activities, according to Release partner China Aid.

Pastor Wang has previously been warned he will either be exiled abroad or jailed for a long period if he continues to lead his church (Prayer Alert, June 8, 2010). He currently faces charges relating to 'credit card administration' – but officials have changed the charge against him four times since he was arrested on May 9. His arrest came just six days after his church issued a statement protesting against harassment by the Chinese authorities.

(Source: China Aid)

• Pray that international pressure will force Chinese officials to end their campaign of harassment against Pastor Wang and his church.
• Ask God to give every member of Liangren Church the faith and courage they need to withstand this ordeal.

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