Kidnapped Church Leader Released After US President left Beijing

China Aid Association
Photo: the 15-day detention administrative punishment decision paper issued by Xinjiang authority for “illegal gathering” on July 15, 2004.
(Midland, Texas (CAA) — Nov 20, 2005) CAA learned pastor Zhang Mingxuan was released at 9:30am on November 21, 2005 (Beijing Time). He and his son were put into a car and driven from Beijing to Henan by several security agents on November 19. They were detained and closely monitored in a government guest hotel of Sheqi County, Henan until Preisent Bush left China. Neither of them was treated brutally. Pastor Zhang’s cell phone wasn’t returned until he was released. Pastor Zhang refused to take any food offered by the government. He is in good spirit. “I had been sharing the Good News to all of the officials who were watching me at the same hotel room.” According to pastor Zhang.
CAA learned hours after CAA sent out a press release about the imprisonment of eight house church leaders in Henan, the Chinese authority released them all at 6am, November 19, 2005. None of the confiscated church property was returned. Among the eight released, Pastor Huang Hailiang (40 year-old) and Pastor Wei Lin (20s) were tortured and their legs injured by the interrogators on November 3, 2005. According to CAA reporter in the field, all those released are in good spirits with thankful hearts to God and to those who pray for and help in their release.” They feel very happy and honored because they are the blessed who are persecuted for the righteousness,” said one of their church leaders interviewed by Rev. Bob Fu.
Issued by CAA on November 20, 2005