Photo: Administrative judgement issued by Jimei District People’s Court (ChinaAid source)
(Xiamen, Fujian Province — November 30, 2022) On July 29, 2021, Siming District Religious Affairs Bureau issued a fine of ￥200,000 (~$27,000) against Pastor Yang Xibo, and his wife Wang Xiaofei of Xunsiding Church. The couple filed an administrative litigation against the Religious Affairs Bureau at the end of 2021. On November 24, 2022, they finally received a verdict from Jimei District People’s Court. The Court deemed to uphold the fine issued. Wang Xiaofei said they will appeal to Xiamen City Intermediate People’s Court.
In response to another “gift” like this during Thanksgiving, Sister Wang Xiaofei posted on social media:
“Thank you, God, for this thanksgiving gift. We accept it with rejoice. We will still appeal to Xiamen City Intermediate People’s Court. However, the case has already been resolved in another way, just like our just and merciful God has already forgiven and loved those people who crucified Him.
Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire.” (Hebrews 12:28-29)
Xunsiding Church is Ximen’s largest house church with more than 100 years’ house church tradition. Minister Yang Xibo’s aunt Yang Xinfei, and his father, Minister Yang Yuanzhang, are the spiritual seniors of Chinese house churches in the region, and authorities sentenced both to 15 years and five years respectively because they did not join any Three-Self churches. They continued to serve their church after they were released from prison. Now the church is led by the 4th generation preacher Yang Xibo.
Xunsiding Church is one of the most heavily persecuted house churches in Fujian province because it sticks to its family church tradition. On May 19, 2019, CCP municipal officials banned the congregation and fined members ￥25,000 (~$3,400). Police besieged Xunsiding Church’s building for 30 days. Afterwards, as officers continued to monitor the church, members constantly changed their meeting places. Whether they met in residential buildings, office buildings, hotels or by the sea, however, public security officers found and repeatedly harassed them. The church’s branches were also banned one after another. Public security officers raided the church, beat up and arrested believers during Sunday Services. They also demolished believers’ personal real estates, forced believers to send their children to public schools. However, none of the above-mentioned persecution was able to tear the church apart, so continue to pressure Yang and his wife.
~Yu Bing, China Aid Special Reporter
