(Hefei, Anhui province – 10/23/2024) On the morning of October 15, the second pre-trial conference for the case of Pastor Zhou Songlin and Elder Ding Zhongfu of Hefei Ganquan Church, accused on suspicion of “fraud,” was held at the Shushan District People’s Court in Hefei. The two church leaders smiled at their families and fellow church members through a window. The meeting began at 9 AM and lasted until nearly 6 PM. Of the 12 agenda items originally scheduled for discussion, 10 were completed, with the remaining 2 items postponed until the trial.
Ganquan Church members visit the court
Before 9 AM, many brothers and sisters who had received the news spontaneously gathered at the intersection where the prison transport vehicle would pass, hoping to catch a glimpse of Pastor Zhou and Elder Ding to express their longing and support. Over 40 church members arrived at the court, complying with all court regulations and not disrupting the normal work order of the court. As a result, they were not harassed or questioned. One security guard even remarked,
“These two must be good people because I’ve never seen so many people come to visit prisoners before.”
After ten and a half months of separation, Pastor Zhou Songlin and his wife Wei Shudie finally saw each other for the first time, albeit through thick glass and only for a fleeting moment. The church members present also saw Pastor Zhou’s familiar, heartfelt smile.
Pastor Zhou Songlin and Elder Ding Zhongfu also saw the many brothers and sisters eagerly awaiting their return home. One sister recalled that when she saw the two church leaders through the glass window, looking darker, thinner, and with much less hair, she could not hold back her tears. However, she noticed that their smiles remained unchanged, still gentle and confident.
When the pre-trial conference ended in the evening, Pastor Zhou Songlin and Elder Ding Zhongfu were once again placed in a fully enclosed vehicle. The brothers and sisters who had been waiting outside watched the prison van until it disappeared from their sight.
A Call for Continued Prayer
Ganquan Church hopes that everyone will continue to pray for the subsequent developments in the case.
“Although we don’t know what the final outcome will be, we believe that no one can accuse them, for they are God’s chosen ones! No one can condemn them, for Jesus Christ has already died for them, and moreover, has risen from the dead and is now at the right hand of God, interceding for them! We pray that God will grant His children hearts that look up to Him, entrust themselves to Him, maintain a genuine hope, and patiently wait for God’s glory to be revealed!”
(Reported by special correspondent Ningmeng)
