(Anhui – July 19, 2025) On July 17, 2025, at the Hefei Shushan District People’s Court in Anhui, the trial of Elder Ding Zhongfu and Pastor Zhou Songlin of Ganquan Church, accused of “fraud,” continued. The judge unjustly rejected motions for jurisdictional transfer and recusal, forcefully pushing the trial forward with complete disregard for procedural justice. However, the testimonies of Ding Zhongfu, Zhou Songlin, and two alleged victims illuminated the courtroom.
Systemic Violations in Hefei City: The Case Should Be Moved Outside the Jurisdiction of Hefei
The Kingdom Prayer Bulletin reported: At the beginning of the hearing, Judge Wu Xiaoshui dismissed all recusal motions filed by the lawyer at the close of the previous day, claiming it does not comply with Articles 29 and 30 of the Criminal Procedure Law. Lawyer Ge Xianyang challenged: “Your basis for dismissal is the same as the grounds we cited for recusal. There is no reasonable explanation, nor does this align with recusal procedures. Please provide a detailed explanation.” The judge ignored this, stating only that complaints could be filed after the trial had concluded.
Lawyer Zhang Kai presented new grounds for recusal and jurisdictional objections, arguing that the presiding judge and even court leadership might be implicated in crimes such as leaking state secrets and impairing testimony, rendering Hefei City unfit to hear the case and requiring transfer to another jurisdiction.
Lawyer Zhao Qingshan added: “During the investigation stage, Hefei Public Security officer Wang Jun threatened Ding Zhongfu to dismiss his lawyer. This case has been interfered with by higher authorities from the start, leaving the Shushan District Court unable to act impartially due to pressure from the higher authorities.”
The judge ignored both counsel’s new recusal and jurisdictional objections, citing prior rulings on the recusal issue.
The Defendants’ Testimonies
Elder Ding Zhongfu stated:
“When I got out of the car today, the bailiff said, ‘Take it slow.’ I was extremely moved; it shows there is still love here. I am not guilty; this is a fabricated case of injustice. I miss my family, but I do not hate those who persecute me. God teaches me to overcome evil with good. I know the prosecutors and judges face their own pressures, but what has happened must now be addressed. I hope the court will be fair and just, punishing evil and upholding good. I have not committed a crime, harmed anyone, or defrauded a single cent. I thank my defense lawyers for their tireless help. Every day, I pray for everyone present, asking God to grant you peace. If I had committed a crime, I would confess, but I am innocent. I hope this court will be a place of justice and love. The strength of a nation lies in whether, after disputes, it chooses revenge or to hug. Though I am a nobody, I believe a nation’s strength begins with such small matters.”
He spoke on his faith: Christianity can be summed up in one word: love. To describe it in one sentence, it would be that God’s Son, Jesus Christ, died on the cross for our sins to redeem us. I was once the exclusive distributor for Skyworth TV in Hefei and sponsored Anhui’s first soccer team. Later, I became unemployed, my marriage was in crisis, and I felt depressed. A psychologist advised me to attend a church gathering. Through the Bible, I learned to love and began to believe in God.
When speaking about church finances, he said:“All financial expenditures are made by the leadership team through biblical deliberation. If even one person deems something unbiblical, it is vetoed. Major decisions must be approved by at least 60% of the congregation.”
His role in church was only to relay financial information. My primary work was marital and family counseling. In the detention center, he even helped reconcile a suspect and their partner.
He declared that ‘believing in God is the greatest and most wonderful thing in my life.’ God taught me how to love my wife, my children, and those around me. Without God, I would not know how to love. Faith is the most important thing to me in my life; it defines my worldview, life view, and values. I will never renounce it, and I will follow my God all my life. Even if Wang Jun says he will shoot me in the head, I will say, ‘Hurry up and pull the trigger.’
Pastor Zhou Songlin delivered his statement:
“Honorable Presiding Judge, ladies and gentlemen, first, I must firmly state: I am not guilty of fraud. What is happening to us is a fabricated, ongoing political persecution. I was chosen by God and ordained by the church, and I am a pastor of an Orthodox church. According to the rights granted by the Constitution and government-related religious policies, I preach, teach, and care for lives. Our congregants give voluntary offerings as instructed by Scripture and church tradition. I have never accepted personal gifts, nor have I ever misused offering funds. I have not decided on the use of church offerings alone.”
Pastor Zhou continued: Over the years, leaders of various government departments have had many interactions with us. We have complied with and cooperated with every request they have made: when told to relocate, we relocated; when we were not allowed to hold large gatherings, we dispersed; when we were not allowed to use the name ‘Ganquan,’ we abandoned it. In fact, relevant government departments have a responsibility to assist with venues for religious activities, as this group of individuals are taxpayers contributing to the city’s development. The government ought to meet the normal needs of our faith community. Instead, what we have faced is baseless persecution by the local government against us. Such persecution is unprecedented, not only in China but worldwide.
Lastly, Pastor Zhou expressed: Our great Hefei is truly formidable. This incident blatantly violates the spirit of the Constitution and the important relevant policies of the Party and the government. It tarnishes the positive image established by the Party and the government. It leaves the Chinese government vulnerable to accusations of lacking religious freedom and human rights. The negative impact of this incident continues to ferment. Finally, I strongly urge an immediate end to this horrific persecution against us so that we can return home as soon as possible!
Testimonies of the Alleged Victims
Tang Chengliang stated:
The indictment claims that the name of Christianity was used under false pretenses, but I believe the two pastors preach true doctrine and were not acting under false pretenses. I voluntarily gave offerings; no one forced or deceived me. I do not accept the label of ‘victim.’ I do not believe I was defrauded. Both pastors live simple and modest lives; they are loving people who often take the initiative to help those in need. Our church is a loving church, and I do not believe pastors of such a church are fraudsters.
He recounted being threatened before the trial and forced to resign: I was a teacher. Before the hearing, the court asked if I intended to testify. I said no, I had hired a lawyer. Two hours later, my supervisor informed me that they had received orders from the Hefei Public Security Bureau and the Hefei United Front Department, forbidding me from appearing in court. If I insisted on attending, I would lose my job. They told me not to hire a lawyer and that I could not testify in court. When I insisted on participating, they then forced me to submit resignation paperwork.
He shared his testimony of faith: I came to believe in God in middle school. I was initially an atheist. When I was in middle school, my mother fell ill and had severe rheumatoid arthritis, and my father suffered from gallbladder and bile duct stones. Both were very serious; hospitals could not cure them. Later, someone shared the Gospel with them. After they came to faith, they were healed within about a month. I was deeply shocked. As I came to understand Christianity more, I truly came to believe.
Jiang Yongjun said:
I do not agree with the accusation that the name of Christianity was used under false pretenses. They preach true doctrine and shepherd the flock. Before my wife and I married, they gave us free premarital counseling, which greatly benefited our marriage. According to biblical teaching, I gave offerings voluntarily. My mother taught me from childhood to tithe, and offerings are given to God, not individuals. Whether the church is registered or whether the pastors hold credentials does not affect my offering.
He shared his testimony of faith: I have believed since childhood alongside my mother; my family has been Christian for three generations. I joined Ganquan Church while in college because I believe this church upholds biblical truth, so I willingly joined Ganquan Church. Although I have never seen God, but I can feel His presence through my life experiences. For example, when I was lost and discouraged, I prayed to God, and He answered my prayers. I am certain these answered prayers were not coincidences but genuine responses from God.
He added: I believe my offerings are to God, but God is a formless existence, the church is God’s appointed institution on earth to shepherd us, and it is God who entrusts them to manage our offerings. I believe offerings should be used for church facilities, daily expenses, pastors’ salaries, and charitable work. I believe Ganquan Church’s use of funds aligns with Christian tradition. My offerings are entirely voluntary; I was never deceived.
A Call for Justice: The Light of Faith
At the July 17 trial, the injustice of the proceedings was heartbreaking. Recusal motions were negligently denied, lawyers’ objections went unanswered, and prosecutors responded with silence. Elder Ding Zhongfu, Pastor Zhou Songlin, and the two alleged victims stood firm in truth through faith. Their sincere and heartfelt words were moving. Under pressure, they overcame evil with love and overcame the battle with faith, like springs of water in a desert, illuminating the darkness. May God reign, may justice roll on like a river, and may truth break forth like the dawn! Just as it says in Psalms 37:6,
“He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, your vindication like the noonday sun.”
(China Aid Association)