(MIDLAND, TEXAS — Nov. 13, 2026) Hundreds of Christians gathered Nov. 8 at Stonegate Fellowship to pray for believers facing persecution in China and elsewhere, as church leaders highlighted arrests and prosecutions of Chinese Christians.
ChinaAid organized the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church, co-hosted by founder Pastor Bob Fu and Stonegate’s pastoral team. Video messages from Christian leaders and religious freedom advocates in Africa, Asia, and Europe opened the gathering.
The event was part of a global prayer movement that gathers on the ninth of each month. November’s gathering was held a day earlier to coincide with the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church.
Pastor Ezra Jin, founder of Beijing Zion Church in northern China, said in a prerecorded message that more than 200 Chinese pastors and Christians are imprisoned or facing criminal charges, according to statistics available to him. The nationwide figure has not been independently verified.
Despite these challenges, Jin offered a message of hope: “God’s love is still flowing among us.” His church has faced a sweeping government crackdown, with several pastors and church workers remaining in detention.
Midland Mayor Lori Blong attended and led the congregation in prayer. Referencing Revelation’s vision of people from every nation and tribe worshipping God, she prayed for government leaders in countries where churches face persecution.
Pastor Neil Rogers of Stonegate Church addressed “Persecution in Different Social and Religious Contexts,” identifying religious nationalism and radical secularism among challenges facing Christians worldwide. He noted the growth of churches in India and Iran despite persecution, saying “the word of God is not chained.”
Prayers for imprisoned church leaders
Pastor Zhang Boli, founder of Harvest Chinese Christian Church, described increasing pressure on China’s unregistered house churches. He said authorities have forced congregations underground while treating believers’ voluntary offerings as alleged fraud.
During prayer, Zhang named Pastor Wang Yi of Early Rain Covenant Church in Chengdu, Sichuan province, and Yang Rongli and Wang Xiaoguang of Golden Lampstand Church in Linfen, Shanxi province. He also prayed for Zion Church pastors, deacons, and other persecuted Christians.
ChinaAid reported in September receiving unconfirmed information suggesting Wang Yi, imprisoned since 2018, might have advanced liver cancer. His reported diagnosis and condition could not be independently verified because of restrictions on family access.
ChinaAid reported Nov. 11 that eight Zion Church pastors and workers remain detained and face trial on disputed criminal charges. Chinese authorities lifted bail restrictions on four other church members.
Rogers concluded by leading prayers for spiritual revival in the Muslim world, Europe, Canada, and North Africa. He asked that believers be granted courage to proclaim their faith despite persecution.
Organizers announced that the next monthly prayer gathering, themed “Awaiting the Lord’s Coming, Overcoming Through Him,” is planned for Dec. 9 in Orlando, Florida, continuing the international movement supporting persecuted Christians.
Gao Zhensai is a special correspondent for ChinaAid News. 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.