House Church Preacher Released After Nine-Month Imprisonment
(Ningxia – April 18, 2025) Ma Yan, a house church preacher in Jinfeng District, Yinchuan City, was released on the 18th, ending his nine-month imprisonment. This case highlights the ongoing challenges faced by house churches in China and the latent erosion of citizens’ religious freedom and rights.
Bible Study Raid and Arrest
On August 9, 2024, Ma Yan and about ten Christians were holding a Bible study meeting in a guesthouse in Jinfeng District when they were raided by a joint operation of police from the Jinfeng, Yinchuan District and the local police station. Several individuals were arrested. Two Christians were given seven days of administrative detention for “disrupting public order,” while Ma Yan and another brother received ten days of administrative detention for the same charge. Both were detained in Yinchuan City Detention Center.
Criminalizing Religious Gatherings
The criminalization of organizing a normal Bible study gathering under the charge of “organizing an illegal assembly” and even resulting in sentencing is deeply troubling. The Chinese Constitution guarantees citizens the freedom of religious belief, and Christian gatherings that do not endanger social order should be protected under the law. Labeling normal religious activities as “illegal gatherings” and imposing criminal penalties is not only a restriction on religious freedom but also a disregard for the fundamental civil rights of citizens.
Persecution of Independent Churches
The house church Ma Yan is a member of was targeted and persecuted because it had not joined the official “Three-Self patriotic” church. This differential treatment reflects a degree of mistrust and restriction toward independent religious groups. The true meaning of religious freedom lies in allowing citizens to freely choose and practice their faith, including the choice not to join government-recognized religious organizations.
Concerns About Legal Fairness
The progression of this case, from administrative detention to criminal detention, and eventually to sentencing, has raised concerns about the fairness of the legal process. In early prayer request letters publicized by Ma Yan’s family, they clearly pointed out and emphasized: “The Constitution grants citizens religious freedom. Christian gatherings are not illegal assemblies, and they do not disrupt public order.” This statement echoed the doubts held by many regarding such cases.
A Broader Pattern of Suppression
Ma Yan’s case is not an isolated one. In recent years, several members of house churches in China’s northwest region have been sentenced on similar charges, such as the case of Pastor Geng Zejun from the Panshi Church (Church of the Rock) in Huinong District, Shizuishan, Ningxia. These cases point to a worrying trend of local governments potentially over-intervening in and even criminalizing house church activities.
The Ongoing Fight for Religious Freedom
Pastor Bob Fu, founder of ChinaAid Association, once commented on the case, stating,
“The Chinese government continues to enforce strict religious control policies in regions of ethnic minorities, particularly in places like Ningxia, Xinjiang, and Tibet, where religious evangelism and conversion are explicitly prohibited.”
Safeguarding citizens’ religious freedom is a vital part of building a society built on the rule of law. Normal religious activities should not be arbitrarily interpreted as illegal. China Aid Association calls on the relevant authorities to acknowledge the reasonable concerns of house churches and to legally protect citizens’ rights to religious belief, preventing similar incidents from recurring. While preacher Ma Yan’s release is certainly a relief, the more significant challenge remains in ensuring that all citizens can freely practice their faith within the framework of the law, this direction requires continued attention and effort.
(Reported by Special Correspondent Gao Zhensai for China Aid Association)