(Changsha, Hunan — April 23, 2026) Pastor John Cao (曹三强), who has long been engaged in missionary and humanitarian work in Southeast Asia and along China’s border regions, was recently urgently admitted to Hunan Provincial People’s Hospital due to a worsening condition. According to visits by Christians and multiple sources, Pastor Cao has been diagnosed with late-stage prostate cancer, a spinal tumor, with cancer cells having spread to his bone marrow.
After completing his prison sentence and being released in 2024, Pastor Cao returned to Changsha to care for his nearly 90-year-old mother. Over the past three years, despite his advanced age and declining health, he continued to support local churches, contribute to gospel ministries, and care for youth. However, years of hardship and his previous seven-year imprisonment have severely impacted his health. Currently, tumor compression on his nerves has caused him intense pain while walking, sitting, or lying down.
Pastor Cao’s wife and children currently reside in the United States. It is reported that due to his passport being withheld by authorities, he has been unable to reunite with his family for more than a decade. Even during major life events such as his son’s marriage and the birth of a grandchild, he was unable to travel abroad due to restrictions. Recently, his 89-year-old mother visited relatives in the United States, leaving only his elderly sister at home to care for him. Facing heavy medical needs and significant expenses, the family is under extreme pressure.
As Pastor Cao does not have social medical insurance, his treatment costs are currently being covered entirely through donations from Christians. Various civil groups and church communities are closely monitoring his condition and are calling on relevant authorities, on humanitarian grounds, to return his passport so that he may travel to the United States to reunite with his family in this critical stage of his life and receive further treatment with their support.
“If one part suffers, every part suffers with it.” May the Lord hear the prayers of His people and grant grace to His suffering servant.
