(Xi’an, Shaanxi Province — September 2026) Chinese prosecutors are seeking 12 to 13 years in prison for a nearly 70-year-old house church pastor in Xi’an, according to an indictment newly published by ChinaAid that alleges he and other church leaders fraudulently obtained RMB 25.5 million ($3.6 million) in offerings.

The indictment attributes RMB 2.3 million of that amount to 235 reported victims but does not identify corresponding victims for the remaining roughly RMB 23.2 million. Prosecutors nevertheless classify the full amount as fraudulent proceeds and recommend a 12- to 13-year sentence for Pastor Gao Quanfu.

“This case criminalizes the basic life of the church itself,” said ChinaAid Founder and President Bob Fu.

Gao’s son, Gao Pu, described the prosecution’s treatment of his father as “utterly malicious,” saying the indictment labels him a “fake pastor” and treats nearly 20 years of church offerings as fraudulent funds.

The case involves Light of Zion Church in Xi’an, the capital of Shaanxi Province in north-central China. Gao was detained in May 2025, while his wife, Pang Yu, and fellow pastor Tang Bingyi were later prosecuted on fraud charges.

ChinaAid previously reported Aug. 21 that Gao faced a possible 12- to 13-year sentence following an Aug. 10 pretrial conference at the Beilin District People’s Court. The newly published indictment provides additional details about the prosecution’s allegations.

What the indictment alleges

The indictment, dated Dec. 31, 2025, alleges that Gao established the Zion Light religious group without government approval in 2008, impersonated a religious clerical identity and operated unauthorized religious venues.

Prosecutors further allege that Gao and other church leaders deceived believers into providing offerings, then used the money for personal purposes, property purchases and other expenditures. The indictment cites bank and payment records, cash ledgers, property documents, witness testimony and victim statements as evidence.

The prosecution says the alleged conduct violated Article 266 of China’s Criminal Law, which addresses fraud. The sentencing recommendation calls for Gao to receive 12 to 13 years in prison and a fine.

Family disputes fraud allegations

Gao’s family strongly denies that he or the church defrauded believers. Gao Pu says the church’s offerings were voluntary acts of Christian worship and argues that believers who told authorities they had not been deceived were nevertheless identified as victims.

“The 23.21 million yuan discrepancy has no corresponding victims,” Gao Pu wrote in an Aug. 17 statement. “Bank transaction records alone cannot presume fraud.”

The family also disputes prosecutors’ characterization of Gao as an impersonator. Gao Pu says his father was ordained by the church community and has served as a pastor for decades, while Light of Zion has a history of nearly 40 years.

Gao Pu says his father did not personally control the church’s finances. According to his son, Gao received a fixed preaching salary, while a dedicated team managed church finances and major decisions were made through the elders’ and deacons’ boards.

Pang, who is also nearly 70, was implicated in the case and remains detained, according to her family. Gao Pu says she never received a church salary and instead volunteered by cooking meals and caring for church members.

Tang, a longtime church co-worker, also remains detained.

Broader implications for house churches

The prosecution’s treatment of church offerings could have implications for other unregistered Christian congregations if similar reasoning is applied in future cases, Gao’s family and ChinaAid say.

House churches are Protestant congregations that operate outside China’s state-sanctioned religious system. Gao’s family says Light of Zion has declined to accept government authority over its religious activities because of its convictions about church independence and governance.

Fu said ChinaAid is particularly concerned about what the prosecution could mean for other independent churches.

“This case sets a dangerous precedent for other unregistered churches across China,” Fu said. “It should concern every church that receives voluntary offerings from its members.”

ChinaAid is calling for continued international scrutiny of the case and for Gao, Pang and Tang to receive access to legal counsel and appropriate medical care. The organization will continue monitoring the case as it moves toward trial.

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.