House Church Leader Zhu Baoguo Sentenced to “Re-education Through Labor”
Posted Nov 18 2008ChinaAid
Media Contact: Katherine Cason (267) 210-8278 or Katherine@ChinaAid.org
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November 18, 2008
HENAN – ChinaAid learned a house church leader in Henan province, Pastor Zhu Baoguo, was sentenced to one year of “re-education through labor,” accused of being an “evil cult” leader. On October 12, 2008 five church leaders were detained during a church gathering of about 20 people at Dushu village, Yuguang town, Neixiang county, Nanyang city, Henan province. Pastor Zhu received 15 days of administrative detention, while the other four leaders were sentenced to five days. However, on October 30, two days after Pastor Zhu was released from his 15-day administrative detention at the Detention Center of Neixiang County, Pastor Zhu was sentenced to one year of re-education through labor. He was charged with being a member of “an evil cult.” He was immediately sent to a labor camp. His family and church members have not been able to determine where he is being held. According to his family members, Pastor Zhu suffers from heart disease.
“To arbitrarily detain and sentence an innocent house church pastor is a direct violation of the Chinese Constitution and related international human rights covenants guaranteeing Chinese citizens’ religious freedom. It also contradicts the Chinese government’s repeated claim for protecting religious freedom in the spirit of rule of law,” said Bob Fu, President of ChinaAid. “We call upon the Chinese government to release Pastor Zhu immediately.”
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November 18th, 2008 at 10:07 am
Dear Father, Creator and Sustainer of heaven and earth, hear the cries of your children as they bend under the persecution in China (and other persecuted Churches)! Remember the death of Your Son, and bless the family and the church that Pastor Zhu ministers to with the faith to stay the course. I beseech you to also bless Pastor Zhu with the same faith and grace, and to release him today! In our Savior’s River of Blood, amen.
November 18th, 2008 at 12:22 pm
We stand in prayer with our brother, Pastor Zhu. May God sustain and strengthen Pastor Zhu’s heart, body, and family at this time. May he find wonderful, supernatural strength from the Holy Spirit at the labor camp or wherever he may be detained. May our precious brothers and sisters whom he pastors also be strengthened as according to Colossians 1:11,12. May the Chinese government officials who violated the constitution in this decision see with different eyes.
A big thanks to Bob and the people at CAA for keeping us informed.
November 20th, 2008 at 3:39 pm
What is wrong with a huge international power such as China when they constitutionally mandate religious freedoms and then practice being sinister despots with total disregard for things they say. Obviously their “WORD” is a poor substitute as a means of truthful communication. It truly overwhelms me that they refuse to submit to any kind of learning to find the true meaning in life, yes their’s too. How can persons on a humanitarian or personal level communicate with those in charge? My sincerest heartfelt feelings for those Christian brothers of mine going through such dastardly circumstances.
November 22nd, 2008 at 1:32 am
I am not brought to tears easily. However, after learning more about the struggles of peoples just trying to find and keep salvation, I have been brought to my knees in sorrow. In the name of the Lord Jesus in heaven, please hear my prayer. Help, send those of us that you choose to go out among your people and desciple to them. Strengthen all of us as your children, so that we can do what you ask of us. Speak clearly, so that there will be no mistaking your will. Help, in your holy name I pray. Amen.
November 26th, 2008 at 1:31 pm
[…] Posted by chinaview on November 26, 2008 HENAN – ChinaAid learned a house church leader in Henan province, Pastor Zhu Baoguo, was sentenced to one year of “re-education through labor,” accused of being an “evil cult” leader……. (more details from The China Aid) […]