(Xi’an, China — June 19, 2025) On the 18th, Light of Zion Church in Xi’an issued a prayer and concern request, calling on all sectors of society to pay attention to the current situation faced by its pastors and members. The church pointed out that Pastor Jiao Yong was granted bail pending trial today, but Pastor Gao Quanfu, aged 68, along with his wife, Pastor Tang Bingyi, co-worker Du Juan, and several others, remain detained at a detention center in Xi’an.

Timeline of Events: May–June 2025

The church stated that since May 2025, several current and former church members have been summoned and interrogated by local public security authorities, and even those who have not participated in church activities for six or seven years have not been spared.

According to reports from church members, during interrogations, officers from the Public Security Bureau of the Beilin Branch of Xi’an City repeatedly pressured them to sign “pledge letters” stating they would no longer attend gatherings at Light of Zion Church and forced them to accuse the church’s pastors of charges such as “illegally running a church without a pastoral qualification certificate” and “illegally collecting offerings.”

Detained Pastors and Charges

Light of Zion Church solemnly pointed out that such practices not only violate the religious freedom granted to citizens by the constitution, but also disregard the church’s two-thousand-year tradition of voluntary gathering and shepherding. The forced intervention in religious life and administrative measures that disrupt church order not only seriously harm the physical and mental well-being of church members, but also undermine the credibility of a society governed by the rule of law.

Pressure on Church Members

The church emphasized that as a national central city, Xi’an’s governance should reflect respect for the rule of law, justice, and religious freedom. The issues exposed by this incident not only run counter to the Chinese government’s long-proclaimed concept of “law-based governance” but also affect the country’s image and moral foundation in the international community.

Violation of Religious Freedom and Constitutional Rights

All members of Light of Zion Church earnestly ask Christians at home and abroad, as well as people from all walks of life, to continue to pay attention to this matter, to pray in watchfulness, and to ask God to demonstrate His justice, grant peace to all detained pastors and their families, and strengthen and comfort the church community in the midst of suffering.

The church quoted Matthew 5:10 from the Bible for encouragement: “Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

National and International Implications

Light of Zion Church is a house church rooted in orthodox Christian faith, established nearly forty years ago. Pastor Gao Quanfu has long served as the church’s overseer. Since May 16, 2025, he and several other pastors and elders have been criminally detained by police on suspicion of “using superstition to undermine the implementation of the law.”

Church’s Response and Call to Prayer

The Light of Zion Church once again calls on all sectors of society to pay attention to and share relevant information, and to pray for all those who suffer, so that the Lord’s name may be glorified in this land.

(ChinaAid Association)