Release International

Six house church leaders whose church in Xiaoshan district was bulldozed have been charged with 'resisting the carrying out of the law by instigating violence'.

They were held for three weeks before charges were laid, reports China Aid.

As 7x7 reported on August 15, hundreds of believers clashed with officials who moved in to demolish the church in Dangshan town, Zhejiang province.

According to China Aid the authorities have now also knocked down the Dalin church in Shaoxing City.
The names of the Christians who've been charged are: Brother Ni Weimin, Sister Shen Zhuke, Elder Shen Chengyi, Pastor Wang Weiliang, Brother Feng Guanglian and Brother Guo Lijun.

More than 50 Christians were detained initially. At the time of writing, 30 had been released and 11 had been told officially that they were 'criminally detained'. The status of the remainder is unknown.

In a separate development, the prominent human rights lawyer Gao Zhisheng was seized by a dozen security agents at his sister's home in Shadong province on suspicion of 'criminal activity'.

His wife and children, aged 12 and 13, are also under house arrest. National Security Bureau officers are surrounding the house, and some appear to be living with the family to monitor their every move.

• Pray that the international community will put justice before trade and bring increasing pressure on China to allow religious freedom.
• Pray that China will recognise that Christians who love and serve the Lord are better citizens and not a threat to society.
• Pray for the Christians detained and the believers who have lost their churches -- that they will be strengthened in their faith and witness.

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