(Guiyang, Guizhou Province, China – June 25, 2025) Recently, Elder Zhang Chunlei of Guiyang Ren’ai Reformed Church sent a letter from prison to his family. In the letter, Elder Zhang expresses longing and concern for his loved ones, reflects intensely on the “injustice” he has endured, and shares profound insights on faith, the church, and serving the nation. The release of this letter once again draws public attention to his legal ordeal since his arrest in 2021, and to the tightening religious policies in China behind it.
Reflections in Prison: From Personal “Injustice” to Christ’s Suffering, Understanding the Essence of Ministry
In his letter to his daughters, Qing’er and Xi’er, Elder Zhang Chunlei candidly describes the unwillingness and the “overwhelming sense of grievance” he felt at their separation. Yet in silent prayer, he identified with Christ’s anguish and grave injustice in Gethsemane and on the cross, which made his own suffering feel “trivial” in comparison, bringing him to a sense of “shame and healing.” He quotes the Apostle Paul: “Who is weak, and I do not feel weak? Who is led into sin, and I do not inwardly burn?” and marvels that God’s grace is made perfect in weakness.
Elder Zhang emphasizes the sincere desire of Christians to contribute more to the nation. He highlights the church’s historic role in education, healthcare, culture, and charity within Chinese society. He shares that in prison he often ponders, “What more can I do when I’m released?” and he asks his family to pray for this intention. Still, he stresses that all work must remain rooted in the church.
The letter also reveals the main themes Elder Zhang meditates on in prison including “charity,” “language and words,” “shining like stars,” “the evolution and destiny of civilizations,” and “family.” He summarizes his recent years of contemplation with three key terms: the Cross (faith), the Golden Lampstand (the church), and the Messiah (Christ), and pointed out that, “The Cross is the focus, the Lampstand is the priority, and the Messiah is everything.”
Case Background: From the Shutdown of the Church to Charges of ‘Inciting Subversion’ and ‘Fraud’
Elder Zhang Chunlei is one of the main founders of Guiyang Ren’ai Reformed Church. Since 2018, he has been under close surveillance by Guiyang authorities for his participation in the “A Joint Statement by Pastors: A Declaration for the Sake of the Christian Faith” initiated by Pastor Wang Yi of Early Rain Covenant Church in Chengdu, Sichuan.
Forced Closure of Ren’ai Reformed Church:
On September 30, 2018, the Ethnic and Religious Affairs Bureau of Nanming District in Guiyang City, forcibly shut down Ren’ai Reformed Church, citing that it had “established a religious site and conducted religious activities and accepted religious donations without approval.” On May 12, 2019, the church was once again shut down on Sunday.
Arrests and Charges:
On March 16, 2021, while members of Ren’ai Reformed Church were gathered in prayer, police raided the gathering. Several Christians were arrested, and their homes were searched. Elder Zhang Chunlei went to the police station that day to inquire about the situation and was immediately detained, first under administrative detention and then under criminal detention. He was later formally arrested on charges of suspicion of “ fraud.”
On January 27, 2022, Elder Zhang was formally indicted on two serious charges: “inciting subversion of state power” and “fraud.”
A Trial Shrouded in Doubt:
On November 29, 2022, Zhang’s case was tried behind closed doors at the Guiyang Intermediate People’s Court. According to reports, not a single alleged “witness” or “victim” was allowed to appear in court on the day of the trial. Elder Zhang firmly upheld that, while he had differing views on some religious policies, especially the forced shutdown of churches and the arrest of Christians, he had no intention whatsoever to incite subversion of state power. As for the fraud charge, he pointed out that not a single so-called “victim” had filed a police report or appeared in court, nor had anyone demanded the church or him personally to return the donations made. This, he argued, clearly indicated that the fraud accusation was an arbitrary and baseless charge.
Pastoral Care and Unshaken Faith While in Prison:
In his letter, Elder Zhang reassured his family that “everything is fine in prison, and the conditions are good, there is fruit and milk,” offering them comfort. He drew inspiration from the Apostle Paul, who sang praises while imprisoned in Philippi and became a blessing to the prison guards, using this as an example for himself and others to follow.
At the end of his letter, Elder Zhang extended greetings to relatives, friends, and church members. He mentioned “Shuya’s father” (Pastor Wang Yi), lawyers Qingshan and Shujin, and their families, as well as all the church families. He specifically named the children of Heng’er’s and Enhui’s families, urging: “Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old, he will not depart from it.” He also sent regards to Uncle Man’s family in the countryside, Mr. Xu and his wife, Jianguo’s entire family, especially Lulu, expressed his longing for Qiumu, Xianke, and Sister Wo Enran, and sent greetings to Zeng Sheng.
This prison letter reveals not only a pastor’s strength of faith and spiritual insight under hardship, but also his sense of personal grievance and injustice. His sincere desire to contribute to the nation stands in stark contrast to the unfair treatment and charges he faces, particularly the highly questionable “fraud” accusation, given that no “victim” has ever reported a loss or appeared in court.
(Reported by Special Correspondent Gao Zhensai of ChinaAid)
