In one of the largest coordinated prosecutions of Christians in recent years, 31 members of a house church in central China have been sentenced to years-long jail terms in a case tied to their religious activities, according to information obtained by ChinaAid.
In March 2024, leaders of a house church fellowship in Suizhou, Hubei Province in central China, were arrested in a major crackdown on itinerant church leaders. In November 2024, eight church members faced a formal prosecution hearing.
Since then, Chinese Communist Party (CCP) authorities have fragmented the believers into numerous small cases involving one or two defendants, in an apparent attempt to minimize public attention and international scrutiny.
Among those sentenced was pastor Yang Zhijin, 77, who was convicted on the charge of “using a cult organization to undermine the implementation of the law” and sentenced on May 21, 2026, to three years and two months in prison along with a fine of 8,000 RMB (USD $1,180).
ChinaAid News obtained the 20-page court verdict issued by the People’s Court of Zengdu District in Suizhou City, Hubei Province.
According to information reviewed by ChinaAid, the harshest sentence was imposed on Christian leader Song Yude, who reportedly received four years in prison, while the lightest known sentence of these leaders was two years and four months. Sources requested anonymity for fear of retaliation.
“These are innocent Christians, not criminals,” said Bob Fu, president of Texas-based nonprofit ChinaAid. “They are peaceful house church members who exercised their universally recognized rights to freedom of religion, worship, assembly, and association. We strongly condemn these faithful leaders being sentenced on trumped-up charges.”
For decades, itinerant house church missionaries – including the 31 church leaders recently sentenced – have traveled from inland China to minister among ethnic minority groups in western China.
In a related case, more than a dozen house church leaders had reportedly been secretly sentenced to years-long jail terms about two years ago in Inner Mongolia, according to sources. The believers were allegedly forced to admit guilt on charges of involvement in a “cult organization.”
Legal analysts note that China’s constitution, ratified in 1954, guarantees freedom of religion and belief, rights also recognized under international human rights standards.
This latest round of sentencing reflects the Chinese government’s repeated use of Article 300 of the Criminal Law against unregistered Christian groups. The so-called “Full Scope Church” designation has long been used by authorities to criminalize independent Christian worship outside state-controlled religious institutions.
According to sources familiar with the criminal prosecution, authorities reportedly relied heavily on surveillance, coerced testimony, confiscated religious materials, and online communications. Court documents in the case cite Bible study meetings, prayer gatherings, and even pastors meeting for mutual encouragement as evidence.
“The Chinese Communist Party continues to weaponize the legal system to persecute peaceful believers,” said Fu. “Their only ‘crime’ is worshipping God outside government control.”
This sweeping crackdown comes amid the CCP’s escalating nationwide campaign against independent house churches and Christian leaders, particularly those unwilling to submit to state control under the government-sanctioned Three-Self Patriotic Movement.
“The international community must not remain silent,” said Fu, urging advocates for human rights and religious freedom to speak out.
Specifically, ChinaAid called upon the Chinese government to:
– Immediately and unconditionally release all 31 convicted house church Christians;
– Vacate all convictions and cease criminal prosecution of peaceful religious activities;
– End the abuse of Article 300 against house church believers and other religious communities;
– Respect fundamental rights guaranteed under international law, including freedom of religion and belief.
ChinaAid further urged the United States government, the United Nations, the European Union, and democratic nations worldwide to publicly condemn the convictions and advocate for Christians and religious communities facing persecution in China.
Founded in 2002, ChinaAid is an international Christian human rights organization committed to promoting religious freedom and the rule of law in China through advocacy, legal support, and international awareness campaigns.