(Hefei, Anhui Province – August 5, 2024) July 31, 2024 marks the first day of the trial for Pastor Zhou Songlin and Elder Ding Zhongfu of Hefei Ganquan Church, who are charged on suspicion of “fraud.” Reportedly, the morning trial was halted shortly after it began due to lawyers’ objections to the indictment. On the day before the trial, Pastor Zhou Songlin wrote a “prison pastoral letter” to the church members, claiming his innocence and encouraging them to hold fast to their faith.

Hefei Ganquan Church is an influential house church with a history of 25 years. It began facing persecution for maintaining its stance as a house church. Pastor Zhou Songlin and Elder Ding Zhongfu were arrested on November 30, 2023. That morning, 16 Christians from the church, including Zhou and Ding, had their homes unexpectedly searched by public security and were taken into custody on suspicion of “fraud.” Subsequently, 14 brothers and sisters were released or granted bail out pending trial, while Pastor Zhou and Elder Ding remained in custody for 8 months.

On May 14, 2024, Pastor Zhou Songlin and Elder Ding Zhongfu were indicted by the Shushan District People’s Procuratorate of Hefei. The indictment states: “This court believes that the defendants Ding Zhongfu and Zhou Songlin, with the purpose of illegal possession, fraudulently obtained more than ￥3.39 million yuan from others under the guise of religion. The amount is particularly large, and their actions have violated Articles 266 and 25 of the Criminal Law of the People’s Republic of China. The facts of the crime are clear, and the evidence is reliable and sufficient. They should be held criminally responsible for fraud. According to Article 176 of the Criminal Procedure Law of the People’s Republic of China, prosecution is initiated, requesting legal judgment.”

Defense lawyers argue that Pastor Zhou Songlin and Elder Ding Zhongfu did not engage in any deceptive behavior as defined by the Criminal Law of the People’s Republic of China, had no intention of illegally possessing believers’ property, and the believers did not form any misconceptions due to Zhou and Ding’s actions. Zhou and Ding never personally acquired the property; it belonged to the church collectively, not to any individual. Believers’ tithing is a natural expression of fulfilling their Christian obligations. Therefore, Zhou and Ding cannot be accused of fraud or held criminally responsible.

The full text of Pastor Zhou Songlin’s prison pastoral letter dated July 30, 2024, is as follows:

Dear co-workers, brothers and sisters: Peace be with you!

I miss you all very much. It has been eight months since the case began. In my loss of freedom, I have experienced worry, struggle, and unease. But now my body is healthy, my heart is at peace, and my spiritual strength is sufficient. I am prepared to face the persecution with the mindset of a martyr, just as the night I was arrested, the inspiration God gave me!

I have three exhortations for all brothers and sisters: First and most importantly, be strong in the Lord; Second, have a heart willing to suffer for the Lord. Remember: The path we walk in this world is one of suffering, and suffering for the Lord is a sign of grace. The Bible says you have been granted not only to believe in Christ but also to suffer for Him. Third, in the absence of physical public worship and regular fellowship, and under the persecution of the church, the urgent task now is for co-workers and group leaders to have a pastoral heart, to serve more diligently, and to care for the weak. The faithful should pray together more, comfort one another, so that all may be strengthened.

When I heard about the chaos and fragmentation in the church, I was very surprised, heartbroken, and discouraged! It’s painful to see such serious problems arise in less than half a year under this “moderate” persecution in a church with a 25-year history!

The sorrow and pain this brings me far exceeds the suffering of imprisonment. To those members who still hold onto their faith and continue to serve amidst persecution, I say: You are my joy and comfort, may the Lord continue to strengthen you! To those who are confused and lost due to the chaos in the church, I say: Please come and follow in the persecuted footsteps of our Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 2:14); To those who compromise out of fear and selfishness, and create chaos in the church, I say: Please stop, reflect, accept rebuke, and repent.

Finally, I tell all my family members: As the case enters the court, if I am found guilty, it is only because I practiced my faith according to the teachings of the Bible; if I am found guilty, then all people in the church are guilty, this is a collective crime!

 

Zhou Songlin

July 30, 2024, at Hefei Detention Center