ChinaAid
March 24, 2010
SHANXI–On March 19, 2010, prominent house church leader Brother Zhong Guang wrote a letter to the persecuted brothers and sisters in Shanxi Linfen to encourage and comfort them with Scripture. Zhong Guang was a pioneer in establishing house churches as independent from the Three-Self Church in the mid-1950s. He was forced to work in a labor camp for his refusal to renounce his faith and his adherence to the Biblical truth. In his letter, Zhong reminds Christians in Linfen of Christ’s encouragement to “be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life” (Revelation 2:10).
March 19, 2010
Dear Brothers and Sisters who are in and suffering for Christ,
I write to you as one of the Chinese Christian pioneers, who pressed for Three-Self Church reform in the mid 50s and suffered from labor camp because of the faith. I would like to affirm to you that we are “companion in tribulation and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ” (Revelation 1:9).
It might seem unreasonable, unjust, and undeserved that you are persecuted (the fellowship site was damaged; brothers and sisters were put into labor camp; families are anxious for the imprisoned) for practicing what you believe in the Bible. However, what you’ve done is glorious and valuable in God’s eyes.
The Lord Jesus said, “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you” (Matthew 5:11, 12). The Apostle Paul comforted us in God, “For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all” (2 Corinthians 4:17). Brothers and Sisters, please remember that our Lord Jesus is with us always and is consoling, encouraging, and strengthening us through the Bible verses.
Please be assured that you are not alone; you have millions of Brothers and Sisters on your side. They know what you’ve been through and they are praying for you. They will make every possible way to assist you in Christ!
Please keep this word in mind: “be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life” (Revelation 2:10). The Lord is with you always!
Your Brother in Christ,
Zhong Guang
Zhong’s words resonate deeply with members of Linfen Church, who have been shaken since the Shanxi government announced plans to destroy their home church building, (Jindengtai or “Golden Lampstand Church”) on March 4th. (See the CAA report). This most recent government threat is extremely serious, as the local government demolished one of the Linfen daughter churches in September, 2009, and has sentenced ten Linfen pastors to prison and Re-education through Labor. As a believer who has suffered greatly for the church, Zhong hopes his words will lift their spirits, and encourage Linfen members to continue assembling for worship, despite the ban and constant military police surveillance of the church.
Zhong also speaks to the ten Linfen prisoners, facing long sentences and uncertainty. On November 25, 2009, five pastors stood trial and were convicted and sentenced by the end of the day. In February this year, Yang Rongli, Wang Xiaoguang, Yang Xuan, Zhang Huamei, and Cui Jiaxing learned that their sentence appeals were rejected in a final court decision. With no further legal options, these five prisoners remain faithful in spite of their respective 3-7 year prison sentences and large fines. Yang Caizhen, Zhao Guoai, Gao Qin, Yang Hongzhen and her husband Li Shuanping have not yet heard a final decision on their appeals, which they filed in January against their 2-year Re-education through Labor sentences.
To send a letter of encouragement to these brave men and women, visit www.HelpLinfen.com, or click here to Send a Letter.
ChinaAid echoes the encouragement of Zhong Guang to the Linfen house church members. We pray for their perseverance and hope in the midst of persecution.

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