(Shanxi — June 24, 2025) The following is a statement from Linfen Covenant House Church, published on June 23, 2025. The statement points out that church members Li Jie, Han Xiaodong, and Wang Qiang were sentenced on charges of “fraud,” receiving prison terms of 3 years and 8 months (Li Jie and Han Xiaodong) and 1 year and 11 months (Wang Qiang). The church firmly rejects this verdict, emphasizing that the three individuals and the offerings were not fraudulent, and reiterates its identity as a house church upholding the principle of separation of church and state. The church recognizes that these three have suffered righteously for their faith, expresses gratitude for the prayers and support from various communities, and calls for continued prayer for the case and the three brothers.
China Aid Association has learned that the Yaodu District Court of Linfen City, Shanxi, recently handed down sentences to two house church cases, with a total of thirteen people convicted. Two other church pastors are still awaiting judgment. ChinaAid is convinced that the Shanxi Provincial Public Security Department and the local departments involved in the cases in Yaodu District fundamentally lack an understanding of Christianity at a macro level and hold serious misconceptions regarding particular house churches in Linfen that adhere to specific orthodox Christian creeds or theological doctrines. ChinaAid will launch an appeal in Washington, D.C., on behalf of these cases, particularly for the two Christian leaders of Linfen Christian Church (Golden Lampstand Church), Pastor Wang Xiaoguang and his wife, Sister Yang Rongli, who are facing judgments.
Full text: Linfen Covenant House Church’s statement on the sentencing of Li Jie and Han Xiaodong (3 years 8 months) and Wang Qiang (1 year 11 months)
Our church is a house church that confesses the Westminster Confession of Faith, along with the Larger and Shorter Catechisms, as well as the Heidelberg Catechism, the Canons of Dort, and the Belgic Confession. We are a church that upholds the spirit of the Reformation, continues the Puritan faith tradition, and has adopted the Presbyterian system as governance.
Our church has been persecuted since August 19, 2022. In this case, which has lasted nearly three years, our three brothers and all the lawyers firmly made not-guilty pleas during the trial. On June 20, 2025, we received the judgment from the Yaodu District Court of Linfen; our three brothers were convicted of “fraud.” Li Jie and Han Xiaodong were sentenced to 3 years and 8 months in prison, each fined 30,000 yuan; Wang Qiang was sentenced to 1 year and 11 months, with a fine of 20,000 yuan.
Although the judgment of the case has been announced, we do not accept this unjust judgment. Our brothers did not commit fraud, and the offerings of our church are not fraud. Our church remains a house church, adhering to Christ as the sole head of the church and the principle of separation of church and state. We recognize that Li Jie, Han Xiaodong, and Wang Qiang are suffering for righteousness sake and are willing to take up the cross with the Lord. We receive the result of the judgment from the Lord with a heart of gratitude and obedience.
We are grateful for the prayers of many churches, the care shown to the families, and the hard work of the legal team. May God continue to guide and protect. We ask everyone to continue praying for the follow-up of this case and the spiritual well-being of our brothers Li Jie, Han Xiaodong, and Wang Qiang. May the Lord keep them.
(China Aid Association)