(Guangzhou, Guangdong province) Yesterday, four officials requested a meeting with the pastor of Guangzhou Bible Reformed Church. They asked him and his house church to join the government-sanctioned Three-Self Church. Also, they informed the pastor that a task force was formed specifically for his church.
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A secret meeting
Officials invited Pastor Huang Xiaoning to discuss Guangzhou Bible Reformed Church. They told Pastor Huang they wanted him to move away from Panyu District in Guangzhou. During the meeting, they questioned him about tithe and offerings in his church.
Gospel to Persecutors
Despite their threats and constant harassment, the pastor shared the gospel with them and answered their questions about Christianity. They were shocked by his preaching. ”I’m very about what I believe,” he told the officials. “I’m doing what I am supposed to do. And I will continue to do what I’m doing, regardless of the situation.”
Coordinated persecution
Recently, the government initiated a serious campaign of persecution against the Guangzhou Bible Reformed Church. On Sunday, May 7th, the authorities stormed five of its six branches simultaneously. Police took away elders, preachers, and co-workers from each location, except Pastor Huang. This incident was reportedly a joint action from several government organizations.
Second raid
One month later, officers raided the church’s Sunday worship service again. Officers in plain clothes entered the rented hotel conference room, interrupting worship. In the chaos, they accused the church of meeting illegally and demanded that the Christians register their information.
Ongoing harassment
The harassment did not stop there. An unknown individual inserted objects into Pastor Huang’s door, ruining the lock. Other church co-workers were also stalked and harassed by unknown individuals.
Response to persecution
Even when faced with continuous persecution, Pastor Huang Xiaoning once explicitly expressed his standpoint to religious affairs bureau officials, police officers, and national security agents. “Feel free to perform your ‘law enforcement’. I am ready to be punished at any time. But my worship to God will never cease.”
~Yu Bing, ChinaAid Special Reporter
