WE WANT THE OLYMPICS, BUT WE WANT LOVE AND JUSTICE MORE
Posted Feb 18 2008——A letter to the international community from Zhang Mingxuan, president of Chinese House Church Alliance
In the name of Jesus, peace be with you—all the people of the world who love peace, people of countries where there are religious freedom and freedom of human rights, Christian churches and people from all walks of life!
My name is Zhang Mingxuan, a servant of Jesus Christ, a pastor and president of Chinese House Church Alliance.
In China, I was once an ignorant ordinary citizen and a barber. Yet the Lord shed His grace on me and called me to be one of His on the evening of June 14, 1986 at 5 o’clock when I was converted from an atheist to a Christian. Since that moment on, I have lived for Christ for 22 years!
For the sake of telling people about Jesus Christ as the true and living God, I have been arrested and detained many times illegally by the police and the authorities in charge of religious affairs!
Those very government officials, the very agents of law enforcement, being guilty of bribery themselves have committed numerous crimes despite the Chinese government’s decree of religious freedom for the citizens, and regardless of the Central Communist Party’s policies and the dignity of law. Their numerous violations of law have caused damage to the state, harm to the civilians, and agony to the Christian believers—who cannot go home to live but have to be kept apart from their spouses and children.
Many church leaders have been imprisoned, forced to work on labor camps, and had their homes searched. The Christians are said to be the enemy of the Communist Party. The small number of corrupt government officials try to grab money by seizing Christians, beating them up, sending them into exile, and harming them in person, in opposition to Hu Jintao’s call for building up a “harmonious society.” They label Christianity as a cult and persecute the church and its members by using such excuses as cracking down on illegal gatherings; they beat up Christians, revile them, put them in jail, and send them to labor camps. As of this moment, a large number of Christians are still in prison and education-through-labor centers.
During the 22 years of my life as a Christian, I have been arrested, beaten, and incarcerated for 12 times altogether by the Public Security Bureau. In 1986, I was imprisoned in Tanghe County, Henan Province, for 185 days before I was released when pronounced innocent.
In 1998, I rode a distance of 3,150 kilometers on bike to preach the Gospel. When I returned to Henan, I sold my house and property, and used the money to finance my evangelical crusade. Having covered 20 provinces, I arrived in Chaoyang District, Beijing, in 1999.
For the next 10 years of preaching in Beijing, I was arrested 11 times by the police, detained and then stalked twice, driven away or kicked out by police-induced landlords 12 times. During the 15 days of the 2005 Spring Festival, I was forced to move out of my rented places five times. After that, Xiao Lu, a member of Chaoyang District Homeland Security Defense Brigade, promised to give me 500 yuan for relocation, forcing me to leave their district. I had no choice but to move to Yanjiao Township, Sanhe City, Hebei Province, where I lived for over two years.
In 2007, the day set for ordaining pastors for the House Church Alliance coincided with the day of the 17th National Congress of the CPC. I had sent a notice to the Alliance’s co-workers across the country to come to Beijing for study. As a result, many of them were watched, followed and detained by the police and authorities in charge of religious affairs.
Besides, the Alliance had fostered five orphans. They were disturbed when Director Gan (Department of Sanhe City United Front Work), Chief Wei (Bureau of Religious Affairs), Chief of the Police, and the township government appeared at the orphanage on Oct. 14 and Oct. 28, 2007 respectively, and threatened not only the children studying computer and English there but also the foreigners teaching them. The authorities forced the foreigners to leave, got hold of the phone numbers of the students’ families, and called them with threats. After driving the students away, the government officials followed me around, kept me under their watch, and cut off the power supply to the orphanage, forcing it to relocate.
I had to appeal to the leaders of Sanhe City. However, instead of resuming the power supply, they threatened us even further. We then sued the Bureau of Electricity Services in the name of civilian rights, but the justices of the court would not accept our case! They forced the landlord to kick us out. On Christmas Day, they drove the orphans out of the school!
In all helplessness, I wrote two open letters to President Hu Jintao. While the letters did not produce any result, they all the more persecuted the orphans and the church and they even forced two of my sons to move! On November 6, 2007, the orphanage was moved to a residential compound in Beijing. However, on the next day, the police officers from Tongzhou District of Beijing tried to force the landlord to drive us out.
The landlord said: “We don’t want to offend the PSB. If we don’t drive you out, we would lose our jobs!” The landlord was so scared that he couldn’t eat or sleep and he had a heart attack!
We had to move out, but the orphans didn’t have a place to live in. So they had to live in the residences of two of my sons. However, the PSB in Sanhe began to force the landlord to drive out my sons! I tried to argue with the PSB agency, the agency in charge of religious affairs and Department of United Front Work. They claimed that they never tried to drive me out. Yet, in the back, they again tried to force the landlord and threatened him. At last, we had to move again! Director of the local police station and the head of the township government threatened the landlord of Dongbai Church in Beijing that he should not let us spend the Christmas there! They didn’t allow us to gather! They didn’t allow me Zhang Mingxuan to go to church! They didn’t allow me to preside over weddings for my believers! They said: “If Zhang Mingxuan went there, we will stop renting the house or demolish the house!”
The Spring Festival was drawing near and in a period of a little over one month, we moved six times. We had planned to spend a happy new year with my family and the orphans. However, at 17:36 on the afternoon of February 1, 2008, Brigade Leader Li from Yanjiao Public Security Branch of Sanhe, together with two other policemen, broke into my new residence on the ground they were there to check residence registration. They asked me: “When did you move here?” I said: “Do you want me to move again?” They said: “I don’t want to drive you away.” They sounded very kind. By 12: 30 in the afternoon of Feb. 2, Yu Jinxia, the landlady came and tried to kick us out in the name of a rent issue. At 21:40 at night, both the landlord and his wife came and tried to get me out! They said the PSB found the managers of their work unit and did not allow them to go to work. The managers also threatened them: “If you don’t drive out Zhang Mingxuan, the landlord is then not allowed to go to work here!” I told the landlord to write a statement that “PSB wants to drive out Zhang Mingxuan,” but the landlord did not dare to write this for fear of the PSB’s retaliation! This is what they mean by religious freedom in China! The government magistrates persecute the common people with their power and they think we are the enemies of the Communist Party because we preach Jesus Christ and do charities! Citizens don’t even have the rights to rent a residence! And this is what is meant by Mr. Hu Jintao’s “harmonious society” and “life in a moderately prosperous country!” These corrupt officials disregard the law and regulations of the state. They deceive their superiors and delude their subordinates, harm the ordinary people and crack down on Christian church! They put the leaders of the state to shame! And they make it impossible for the love of God to spread in China!
Because of this, Zhang Mingxuan, president of Chinese House Church Alliance, strongly appeals to the friends in the international community to pray for China and for the success of 2008 Olympics in China and for the real freedom of religion in China! We pray to God that those brothers and sisters imprisoned for preaching Jesus Christ will be released soon and that God will make leaders in the Chinese government to treat the believers in a correct way and that God will make China a country full of love, justice, freedom and prosperity!
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February 18th, 2008 at 12:54 pm
[…] To view the complete text of Pastor Zhang’s letter, [click here] […]
February 18th, 2008 at 3:24 pm
I will be praying for your safety and secure lodging and the other requests you mentioned. We certainly take our religious freedoms for granted here in the U.S., and they are quickly evaporating. In John 16, Jesus prepared his followers for the inevitable persecution they were to undergo because the persecutors’ hatred for Jesus. Our lives are in His hands, and as Paul said, to live is Christ, to die to gain (heaven).
February 18th, 2008 at 7:15 pm
My Brother in Christ-
I pray for the persecuted church around the world and in China. I will lift you up by name and intercede for you and your church. Be strong in Jesus Name! God bless you.
February 18th, 2008 at 10:51 pm
TO all those you are suffering for the name of Jesus Christ,hold for the rewards that you will receive in the end will outway the pain and suffering.John tells us of these rewards in Revalation the crown of life,the right to sit with him in paradise.My prayers are with all of you.If i was there i would gladly suffer with you.GOD keep you, hold on for i believe he is soon to come back for us all.
February 19th, 2008 at 2:26 am
My prayers are with the Chinese Christians,especially the ones who have suffered so much for the Lord.I can only hope that I would be as faithful as my brothers and sisters there who stand firm in their faith in persecution.
February 19th, 2008 at 10:29 am
My prayers are with the Chinese Christians as well. The amount of persacution in that country should be highlighted, but, sadly it’s not. You will receive a crown that no man can take away!
In Jesus our Messiah.
Hebrews 13:4
February 19th, 2008 at 10:40 am
I can state a few things here,
#1) I care for the ‘Unity of Man”, be it Jesus, Buddha, and all the great prophets that were sent down with accurate messages from Our Father, that taught truth and only truth, we should understand what they are saying
#2) Does anyone remember Tibet? Tibetians had not weapons, the Chinese came in with Guns, tore down over 6,000 monestary’s and sterilized the Tibetian Woman that lived thru it.
#3) China just hit a big ‘walk’ of the Buddest again, w/machine guns, closed down the news networks….WHAT IS THAT?
#4) does anyone know that the ‘delicacy plate’ of food in China now is ‘human fetetus’
STOP CHINA
February 19th, 2008 at 11:39 am
All of you fellow believers in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ living in China-We pray often for you and those who persecute you. We love you all dearly. Your stories need to continue to be told to all the world, that God may be glorified. We pray you are strengthened, encouraged, and continue steadfast in your faith. He is faithful.
February 19th, 2008 at 4:51 pm
I am so greatful to those with such strength and courage to endure such hardships and still stand for the cause of Christ, Great is your reward!!! You are the true heroes of the faith, May God continue to bless you as you stand for him!!
Blessed be his name!
February 19th, 2008 at 6:26 pm
My prayers and encouragement are with you
February 21st, 2008 at 6:36 am
That sucks so bad! It makes me angry that the Olympics are being held in a dictatorship like China, the last time they allowed this to happen was when the games were held in Nazi Germany. If the plight of the chienese people can be seen by the world because of these games, I hope and pray the light of that brings change and shame on the enemies of humanity. I also hope and pray that the Holy Spirit draws the Church ever closer. Keep knocking on doors, you beautiful ones!! jxx
February 25th, 2008 at 2:38 am
“…the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him…”
February 25th, 2008 at 8:46 am
We will keep all of our Chinese Brothers & Sisters in prayer for freedom.
February 25th, 2008 at 9:53 am
May the Peace of Christ Jesus Our Lord be with our brothers and sisters in Christ.We continue to pray for you and also for your persecuters that they may see Christ in you;The Hope of Glory.
Thank you for standing for The Gospel in the midst of persecution.
God Bless you and keep you.
February 25th, 2008 at 1:09 pm
I grieve for all our brothers and sisters who undergo persecution in China because of the love of Christ. Jesus told us we would be hated because the world hated Him and it is so true in many parts of the world where it is right out in the open. We in the US are very fortunate that we have the freedoms that we do but don’t be fooled there are those in this country who would like to take them away. Just listen closely what some of those on the liberal side of things are saying. Alot of things they talk about sound good on the surface but when you dig into it, what their goals are is frightening. Remember, Saints in Christ, it is only going to get worse as the day of His coming draws near. My prayers go up for all those who are persecuted world wide, in China, Africa, Indonesia, India, and in the many Muslim countries not mentioned. Let us look toward the soon coming of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
February 25th, 2008 at 5:05 pm
God I pray that you would demonstrate your justice and love in China!! Raise up justice and righteous man in the government, give us a leader who fears you and runs after your heart.
Father would you pour out your love and comfort and protection in the families of the church leaders.
In Jesus name, amen.
February 26th, 2008 at 9:12 am
And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it. 1 Corinthians 10:13
The enemy is tempting you to deny our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
God is giving us an opportunity to pray ceaselessly and maybe take some kind of action, maybe at the polls? I don’t know what we can do, but I can tell you that personally I feel I have to do something. I’ll begin with the most important thing, and that is lift up your name in prayer, and then I’ll ask my pastor if we can pray for China as a community. God Bless you and keep.
February 26th, 2008 at 7:52 pm
Father, in Jesus’ name, I ask You to strengthen my brothers and sisters in their inner man. May You fill their minds with thoughts of You and giv ethem the courage to stand firm. In the name of Jesus, I come against the enemy and his minions and ask that you lift the spirit of discouragement and fear from them. Let them find favor with the officials who mean harm to them and turn it around for their good and Your glory. Please give them all the faith and trust they need, and may You continually convict me of my need to be on my knees for them. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
February 27th, 2008 at 2:41 pm
I’m not a Christian but Buddhist & I pray for the end of suffering of all Chinese Christians persecuted by the Communist Chinese Gov’t. I also pray for the end of oppression of all religious believes in China, Tibet & Xinjiang. We Tibetans are unfortunately all too familiar w/ repression against religion. Chinese troops bombed Tibetan monasteries & forced Tibetan monks to renounce their vows & raped Tibetan nuns. Red Guards destroyed nearly all of Tibet’s 6,000 monasteries during the Cultural Revolution. Today Tibetan monks & nuns are forced to take a “patriotic test” & to denounce the Dalai Lama, the highest spiritual leader in Tibetan Buddhism. Those who fail to do so are expelled & closely monitored by the police. In Sept. 2006, a 17-yr old Tibetan was shot & killed by Chinese border guards as she & 71 other Tibetans (mostly children) attempted to flee to India. Last year China instituted new regulations requiring gov’t approval (from an atheist gov’t) for all reincarnations in Tibet, violating centuries of Tibetan traditions. Even though the Dalai Lama is highly regarded among all Tibetans, Tibetans are often arrested b/c of they publicly showed reverance for him & pictures of the Dalai Lama are banned by Chinese authorities. Tibetans who work in the gov’t are forbidden from attending religious ceremonies. This is the hell Tibetans have had to live under since the 1950 Chinese invasion.
March 8th, 2008 at 10:45 am
Dear Brother Mingxuan,
Greetings in Jesus’ Name! You are not forgotten. We will remember your name and ask the Father to undertake for you and give you boldness and strength in the present day.
In boldness, also, Brother, I will tell you that as believers in Jesus, the One and Only, sent from the Father, we know that Buddhism is not an “accurate message from our Father” as mentioned in response #7 (& #19) above. Jesus Christ said, “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life. NO ONE comes to the Father BUT BY ME.” Brother, He is the One in whose name I greet you.
Fellow believers, can we not take the boldness on this site to distinguish between what is true and what is not? If we can’t do it here, will we be able to do it anywhere? In Jesus’ name, speak out!
March 11th, 2008 at 6:27 am
The day is coming when all shall bow their knee to Jesus. Do not be discouraged, the Lord will not be mocked. Everything He promises, will come to pass. Stand strong; be a great witness to those who oppress, that they may see Christ in you. Be assured many around the world know of the sufferings of the Church in China, and are daily making petition to our Father in Heaven on your behalf. Also rejoice in the many thousands of Chinese that come to Christ each day. You are not a victim, but an imprisoned warrior for Christ. His kingdom shall have no end. It continues to grow through China and other nations that strive to halt the advance of His kingdom. They labor in vain who strive to thwart the advance of the King of Kings. Soon He will return and establish His kingdom. But, for now, you have the privilege of suffering as you take the greatest message for all mankind to a people who have not yet believed, making disciples, bringing the only true hope to a lost and dying people. Rejoice, though it may not always appear so, we are on the winning team; the battle has been won in the heavenlies; your suffering helps bring victory, one soul at a time, here on earth.
March 24th, 2008 at 10:24 pm
Dear Brother and Pastor Z.,
May your spirit be strenthened by the intercession of our Lord Jesus! Praising God that you continue to stand!!!!! Your example to us all that you have not grown weary in well doing brings praise to our kind and good Father and gives us as your sisters and brothers continued challenges as we remember your bonds. May our prayers of agreement deepen the forgiveness for those who persecute and deepen your understanding of the width, height, depth of God’s love. My time with you and family is such a treasure from our Father. May our Father allow fellowship again if it brings glory to Him and promotes the kingdom of the Son on this earth. Ya’ll are remembered!
April 14th, 2008 at 1:03 pm
My name is Cesar Vasquez. I live in Ecuador. Oftenly i go to China for bussines. Jus now my mam and i read your letter. We are crying. You can contact us for anything you need. i would like to know you. i will be in China on June. Always we will praying for you and your church. God Bless you
April 21st, 2008 at 2:37 pm
Pray God that the prayers of the few will move mountains. May the occasion of the Olympics provide an opportunity for the oppressed in China to rise up and shame their government before the world. Love is stronger than hate, peace is stronger than war, gentle resistance will prevail over brute force. May God shine his golden light upon those who are persecuted and fill their hearts with perseverance and faith, for they are the martyrs of the modern church. Let us pray that we in the West may increasingly look out of our ivory towers to notice and raise awareness of those that still worship in secret. Praise be to God.