China: Two pastors freed for medical reasons

Two Chinese pastors will be spending Christmas at home with their families unexpectedly after being released early from jail. Pastor Wang Weiliang and Pastor Zhu Baoguo have both been freed early 'for medical reasons'.

Pastor Wang, who is now receiving hospital treatment in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, was released more than a year early. He was jailed for three years in December 2006 for protesting when officials demolished a church in Xiaoshan in the July. Six other co-defendants have already been freed; one woman, Shen Zhuke, is still in prison.

Pastor Zhu, arrested at a prayer meeting in Henan province in October, had been sentenced to one year's 're-education through labour' for being an 'evil cult leader' (7x7, November 25, 2008). He was freed on December 2.

Many other Chinese Christians face the prospect of Christmas in jail. In Hubei province, four Christians have not been seen since they were detained by officials in Jingmen and Xiangfan early last month. In Henan province, Mao Minzi has been sentenced to one year's 're-education through labour' for 'organising an illegal religious gathering' in Xin'an.

During the past two weeks, Release partners have identified about 20 Christians in labour camps of whom they were previously unaware.

In Tai Kang county, Henan, and Xiji, Shandong, two groups of more than 50 house church Christians were arrested earlier this month. And in Beijing and Hangzhou, four Christians were sent to labour camp for between 12 and 18 months for 'preaching to students'.

Meanwhile, also in Beijing, the authorities continue to hound Pastor 'Bike' Mingxuan whose Chinese House Church Alliance was officially 'abolished' 'last month (7x7, December 9, 2008). Radio Free Asia reports that Pastor 'Bike' was arrested at the home of church leader Hua Huiqi late on December 9 – and then driven to Yanjiao, Hebei province. 'They don't allow me to live in Beijing,' Pastor 'Bike' said. 'Wherever I go, they monitor my calls.'

Hua Huiqi told the radio station that officials have tried in vain to persuade him to inform on his fellow house church members in return for the release of his elderly mother, Shuang
Shuying. She is serving a two-year sentence for 'damaging government property'.

(Sources: China Aid, Radio Free Asia, The Voice of the Martyrs USA)

Thank God for the early release of Pastor Wang and Pastor Zhu.

Ask God to bless and comfort Christian prisoners of faith over Christmas. Pray for God's protection over Pastor 'Bike', Hua Huiqi and their families.

Pray that a way will be found to support the Christians in labour camps whom Release has recently identified. Pray that support will reach their families too.