Legal Charges and Partial Release of Church Members
(Xi’an — June 4, 2025) Light of Zion Church in Xi’an sent out a prayer letter revealing that since May 16, when ten of the church’s pastor and ministry co-workers were criminally detained by relevant authorities on charges of “using superstition to undermine the implementation of the law,” five have been released on guarantee pending trial through the efforts of their lawyers. However, the remaining five, including Pastor Gao Quanfu, remain in custody at the detention center.
Intimidation and Coercion During Police Interrogations
The prayer letter notes that over the past two weeks, a large number of church members, even former church members who have not attended Light of Zion Church for six or seven years, have been summoned for questioning and given their statements at the local police stations.
According to some of them, police pressured and intimidated them during interrogation, coercing them into signing pledges not to attend worship services at Light of Zion Church. Some were even threatened to give false testimony against the pastor and church co-workers.
The Light of Zion Church believes these actions, which disregard both law and facts, have caused significant psychological harm to members and have negatively impacted social harmony and the rule of law.
Legacy and Influence of Light of Zion Church
With a history spanning over forty years, Light of Zion Church was founded by Pastor Gao Quanfu and has grown to a significant size. It has a certain influence among Chinese churches in various regions. Pastor Gao was among the second group of signatories to the 2018 “A Joint Statement by Pastors: A Declaration for the Sake of the Christian Faith” initiated by Pastor Wang Yi.
Pastors and co-workers from across the country who are familiar with Pastor Gao Quanfu and Light of Zion Church are willing to testify on their behalf.
Urgent Prayer Appeal for Detained Members and Their Families
In the prayer letter, the members of Light of Zion Church earnestly plead with brothers and sisters in Christ everywhere to continue interceding in prayer, asking the Lord to establish His throne of justice in Xi’an and across China that His holy name may be glorified, those who love the Lord may be blessed, and the pastor and co-workers in detention as well as their families outside may be kept safe and healthy in body, mind, and spirit.
(Reported by Special Correspondent Ningmeng of ChinaAid)
