Chinese Authorities Intercept Illegal Bible Delivery
Sep 18 2007
Postings >> China

The Chinese authorities have hit back hard after intercepting a cache of 'illegal' Bibles being delivered to a Christian pastor in Xinjiang.

Zhou Heng, a well-known house church leader in Urumqi city, was seized when he went to pick up three tonnes of Bibles at a bus station. Zhou, who also runs a Christian bookshop selling legally published literature, now faces up to 15 years in jail on charges of 'illegal business practices'.

A former detainee who shared a cell with Zhou at the Xishan Detention Centre told China Aid that Zhou had been badly beaten by other inmates and prison guards. China Aid is supporting Zhou's legal team.

The Bibles Zhou was collecting had reportedly been donated by South Korean churches and were intended for free distribution rather than sale. But the Chinese authorities allow only two 'patriotic' religious associations within China to print and distribute Bibles each year. Zhou's bookstore, the Yayi Christian Book Room, was closed down after his arrest. As the authorities continue to detain house church leaders in raids across the country, they are also busying themselves to present China in a good light during next year's Beijing Olympics. Plans to erect a temporary church for foreign athletes in the Olympic village are well underway. It will be part of a 'religious service centre' catering for all faiths and run by specially trained 'volunteers'.

Meanwhile, Open Doors' contacts suggest that undercover agents from China's secret service have now infiltrated 'every house church' -- and are putting pressure on church leaders to leave Beijing before the Games.

Ask God to bless and strengthen Zhou Heng, as he suffers abuse in jail. Pray for his immediate release.

Thank God in faith that He will do amazing things through His church during the Olympics, despite the authorities' attempts to keep the church in check.