Dear brothers and sisters:
Peace in the Lord! On December 11, Shouwang had her thirty-sixth Sunday outdoor worship service. As Christmas is approaching, more and more believers were raised by God to join the outdoor worship service, following and worshiping our Lord in action.
Last week, each police station puts more force in guarding and watching since Christmas is approaching; many believers were detained at home since Saturday, and a sister was detained in a hotel nearby since Friday. As far as we know, on Sunday morning, at least thirty-five believers were taken away for going to the planned location to join the outdoor service, either at the spot or on their way there (including pastor Shuangyan and a sister from Xinshu Church). Some national security staff and policemen used violence when they took believers away from the platform; pastor Shuangyan got a dozen scrapes and bloodstains, and Hujian got a bleeding scratch on the nose. Except few believers were released on the way, most of them were sent to fourteen local police stations of their respective area. Till midnight, thirty-two believers were released home. Three sisters detained in Zhongguancun Street police station were released at eight o’clock in the morning. The last believer, a brother, was still detained in Qinghe police station in Haidian District. When his wife, who was released on Sunday afternoon, visited him at noon, she was again detained by the police station for interrogation. Policemen also called in this brother’s co-workers and boss and threatened them. Finally, this brother was released at 20:00pm, and his wife was released at 23:00pm on Monday.
Although some policemen are getting more irritable and violent, believers, whether being taken away, or being under detention, are filled with peace and joy. On Sunday night, joyful praise and hymns came out from twelve believers detained in a police station; just like prayers and praise by Paul and Silas in the prison, it became a great encouragement to many members in the body of Christ. In this Christmas season, may singings and praise like this be heard by more guards and policemen, so that more “jailers” will receive the grace of Christ. (Acts 16:25-34)
In the past week, God encouraged us through his wonderful work among us. He stirred and moved many believers to give offerings to the church building project, so that we could pay off the amount of money we borrowed for purchasing the church building in advance, and with a balance. He has mercy on our weakness, forgives our transgressions; he guides and leads his church at this critical stage of this battle. May God listen to our earnest prayers before him, and answer us as he promises his people in the Old Testament: “…I will bring them back because I have compassion on them, and they shall be as though I had not rejected them; for I am the LORD their God and I will answer them.” (Zechariah 10:6)
May peace and grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the mercy and love of Father God, and the console and guidance of the Holy Spirit, the Advocate, be with each brother and sister of Shouwang Church and all the churches who remember Shouwang Church in prayers, from this time on and forevermore! Amen.
Beijing Shouwang Church
12/13/2011
China Aid Contacts
Rachel Ritchie, English Media Director
Cell: (432) 553-1080 | Office: 1+ (888) 889-7757 | Other: (432) 689-6985
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.chinaaid.org
