(Hefei, Anhui Province – January 16, 2024) Earlier this month, Wei Shudie, the wife of Pastor Zhou Songlin of Ganquan Church in Hefei, issued a prayer request letter, stating that Pastor Zhou Songlin is upright, devout, and cannot possibly be guilty of fraud, making a public appeal for her husband. At the end of December 2023, Ge Yunxia, the wife of Ganquan Church’s Elder Ding Zhongfu, who was also detained, publicly spoke out for her husband, urging the immediate release of her innocent husband.
Wei Shudie mentioned that her husband, Pastor Zhou Songlin, was detained by local authorities on November 30, 2023, on suspicion of “fraud,” and it has been over a month since then. She stated that Pastor Zhou Songlin is a devout Christian, having served the church full-time for 32 years. His principle is to be loyal to God, grounded in the Holy Bible, exalting Christ, and loving God and people. In order to avoid temptation, he has consistently refrained from touching the church’s money. Wei Shudie expressed her surprise that her husband was detained on suspicion of “fraud.”
Wei Shudie also revealed that Pastor Zhou Songlin, who is nearing his sixties, has poor health. In 2012, he was diagnosed as a carrier of the hepatitis B virus (Hepatitis B Surface Antigen positive) and has been taking antiviral medication for 11 years. Due to drug resistance, he switched to a new antiviral medication in 2023. Wei Shudie is very concerned that as a long-term chronic patient approaching the age of 60, her husband’s detention and a lack of exercise may lead to mental depression, malnutrition, and potentially exacerbating his condition. Wei Shudie hopes for his early return home and requests everyone to pray for Pastor Zhou, asking for God’s help to seek justice for His servant.
On the morning of November 30, 2023, Ganquan Church was raided by local police at around 7:00 AM. Without any warning, over ten pastors and co-workers were simultaneously subjected to home searches by public security officers and later taken to the police station for questioning. Subsequently, Pastor Zhou Songlin, Elder Ding Zhongfu, Preacher Mao Junma, Preacher Pei Defei, and co-worker Yang Peiyun were criminally detained for 15 days. Even after the expiration of the detention period, these five Christians remain unreleased, and their family members are unable to visit them, facing the risk of potential arrest and prosecution.
Ganquan Church has a history of over twenty years, with approximately four to five hundred believers. Due to religious persecution, this family church has been forced to relocate multiple times in the past decade. In order to worship without disturbance, the congregation collectively purchased two properties for use as places of worship. As the government does not officially recognize the church, these two properties had to be registered under the names of Elder Ding Zhongfu and two other church members. Currently, these two properties and the church’s financial transactions may be used as evidence of “fraud.” If the charges are established, they could face severe penalties. The church properties were acquired for worship purposes, and the church’s funds come from the voluntary donations of the believers. They have not engaged in embezzlement or any fraudulent activities.
On December 17, 2023, a Christian from the church, using the internet name “Amida,” posted on Zhihu.com, expressing support for Pastor Zhou Songlin. “Amida” shared that on a rainy day in 2006, he met Pastor Zhou Songlin in Hefei, learning that he graduated from a theological seminary and was assigned by the government to work in a church. He mentioned that Pastor Zhou’s wife was a classmate from Gansu, and the couple felt a calling to leave the tenure government position and establish a family church in Hefei.
One Chinese New Year, “Amida” brought two bottles of wine to visit Pastor Zhou Songlin, and upon seeing it, Pastor Zhou burst into laughter, saying, “You’re the first person to ever bring us wine in the history of our family.” According to “Amida’s” recollection, the small one-bedroom apartment of Pastor Zhou and his wife was filled with books everywhere. He felt that no matter where he placed the wine, it seemed like an “oddity,” so he ended up taking it back. “Amida” also recalled that to enter the bathroom in Pastor Zhou’s home, one had to bend down because there was no room to turn around.
Pastor Zhou’s only hobby is playing table tennis, actually, it’s more like casual matches with strangers in street-side parks. Much like the elderly gentlemen playing cards on the street. He serves many brothers and sisters but is not adept at handling modern transportation tools. An electric scooter is his means of transportation. He is like a dandelion seed that floats back and forth, responding to other people’s needs.
“Amida” mentioned that those who have been attending the church for a long time share a common wish, which is to have a fixed and bright place for gatherings. The brothers and sisters of Ganquan Church had saved up donations for nearly twenty years to purchase a property. However, the willingly given donations of the brothers and sisters have become the pastor’s accusation, leading him to be imprisoned. On the day the pastor was transferred, his shocked wife wailed loudly in the cold morning wind.
“Amida” angrily questioned, “For a brother who joyfully embraces a simple life, helping disabled brothers wash diapers in icy water during severe winter, and for an elderly man nearing 60 with no roof over his head or land to call his own, how can the label of ‘fraud’ be forcefully imposed upon him?”
On December 26, 2023, Ge Yunxia, the wife of Elder Ding Zhongfu from Ganquan Church, also made a public appeal for the release of her husband. Ge Yunxia revealed that on the morning of November 30, 2023, a group of public security officers forcibly entered her home for a search and took Ding Zhongfu away. Almost 48 hours later, she was notified that Ding Zhongfu had been criminally detained on suspicion of “fraud” and has been in detention since then. She stated that her husband is a devout Christian and has no criminal record. All church donations are voluntary donations from Christians, and expenditures are publicly disclosed. The purchased church properties have notarized videos proving they belong to the church. Not a penny has gone into their personal pockets. Ge Yunxia mentioned that her husband has been detained in the detention center for a month, with blood pressure reaching 105-170. Despite increasing medication, his blood pressure cannot be controlled, and his life safety is not guaranteed. She requests the immediate release of the innocent, urging freedom for those unjustly detained, and pleading for the immediate return of her husband, Ding Zhongfu, to their home.
On December 13, 2023, an anonymous Christian sent a petition to Hefei City Religious Affairs Bureau and Criminal Investigation, advocating for detained Elder Ding Zhongfu. The petitioner expressed surprise upon hearing about the investigation and detention of Elder Ding Zhongfu, as they have known him for over a decade. Elder Ding’s character and conduct are widely recognized as upright, kind, and gentle. He pursues justice and righteousness. Over the years, Elder Ding has been actively involved in helping others. He also dedicates himself to family ministry, providing support that has contributed to the harmony and stability of many families. The petitioner, themselves, is a beneficiary of Elder Ding’s efforts.
He mentioned that the Elder Ding is a good son, a good husband, and a good father within his family. In society, he is a law-abiding citizen, and in his work, he is a good mentor and friend. These qualities are witnessed by those who know him, and the sudden arrest and investigation seem to be a misunderstanding. He said, “I voluntarily petition for Elder Ding Zhongfu. The We know Elder Ding is a mentor and a role model worthy of respect and emulation in both his personal and family life. He is beneficial and harmless to society and others. I hope the authorities can verify the truth, eliminate misunderstandings, and bring Elder Ding back home soon.”
According to a report from the Associated Press, Elder Ding Zhongfu was awakened by a knocking sound early in the morning on November 30, 2023, and was taken away by five police officers. The police searched his home where he lived with his wife Ge Yunxia and their 6-year-old daughter, pushed Elder Ding Zhongfu against the wall, and interrogated him. On December 1, 2023, police summoned Ding Zhongfu’s wife, Ge Yunxia, to the police station, informing her that her husband had been criminally detained on suspicion of “fraud”. They asked her to sign some documents acknowledging that their investigation against Ding Zhongfu but refused to provide her with copies.
In addition to managing the church’s finance, Ding Zhongfu also serves as an Elder in the community, where people can seek assistance from him. A friend, in a handwritten testimonial written for Elder Ding’s case, described him as a kind person, stating, “He is always proactively helping those in need in society.”
There is currently no further information available regarding this case.
