(Foshan, Guangdong Province, China – April 7, 2025) According to reports, five leaders and co-workers from Guangdong Foshan Shunde’s Shengjia Church – Zhu Longfei, Deng Yanxiang, Zhu Longjiang, Wang Weicai, and Zhu Qiaoling – were convicted of “illegal business operations” on January 16, 2025, when they received their verdict documents.
All five Christians were found guilty. They disagreed with the verdict and immediately appointed lawyers to appeal. Recently, the Foshan Intermediate Court has accepted their appeal. On the morning of April 5, Elder Zhu Longfei, Brother Wang Weicai, Brother Zhu Longjiang, and Sister Zhu Qiaoling went to the Foshan Intermediate Court to inquire about their case.
Background of the Shengjia Church
Shengjia Church was established in 2006 by Elder Zhu Longfei and other believers. Previously, Elder Zhu Longfei attended services at an officially registered Three-Self church. Later, after discovering various problems within the Three-Self church, he reported these issues to the religious affairs departments. As a result, he was expelled from the Three-Self church by a joint effort of the religious affairs bureau and the Three-Self church pastor.
Subsequently, Zhu Longfei and other believers began holding services at home with relatives and friends, and also developed marriage and education ministries. Because of their diligent service, many believers’ lives were edified, and co-workers continued to emerge.
The Church-printed Bible study materials
To guard against heresy and to meet the needs of nurturing believers and church pastoral care, the church began printing auxiliary Bible reading materials internally in 2019, after discussion among elders and deacons. These included “Daily Bible Readings and Interpretations” (CHINESE DAILY BREAD) compiled by the Hong Kong Bible Reading Association, as well as internal publications like the “Shengjia Church Member Handbook.” However, the printing of these materials was not for profit but to help believers develop a daily habit of reading the Bible and spiritual devotion, establish a good relationship with God, and experience life renewal and transformation.
The Police Raid against the church
On May 24, 2023, the church was raided by multiple departments including Shunde police, religious affairs bureau, department of education, and department of business administration.
- Pastor Deng Yanxiang, Deacon Zhu Longjiang, Deacon Wang Weicai, and Zhu Qiaoling were arrested by Shunde police on suspicion of “illegal business operations”.
- On August 9, 2023, Elder Zhu Longfei was arrested on charges of “illegal business operations.”
- On August 31, the church was banned by the Shunde District Civil Affairs Bureau. During their detention, the mother of Zhu Longfei, Zhu Longjiang, and Zhu Qiaoling was sent to a nursing home and passed away.
On December 1, 2023, the Shunde District Prosecutor’s Office filed charges against the five Christians, seeking sentences of more than five years.
The church promptly hired Christian lawyers, and many churches extended their help. The trial process was very lengthy. Sister Liang Dandan referred to them as “Pizza Hut” (a wordplay on “must win”). During this time, the court showed goodwill by arranging family meetings and releasing Zhu Longjiang and Zhu Qiaoling on bail.
On January 16, 2025, the Shunde District People’s Court sentenced:
- Deng Yanxiang to two years in prison,
- Wang Weicai to one year and five months,
- Zhu Longjiang to one year and three months,
- Zhu Qiaoling to one year and three months, and
- Zhu Longfei to one year and two months.
With the exception of Deng Yanxiang, the others were released during or shortly after the trial. Deng Yanxiang, identified as the “principal offender,” remains in custody, and barring any special circumstances, his sentence will end on May 23, 2025. The five Christians believe the verdict was unfair and have filed an appeal to demonstrate their faith stance.
(Reported by Special Correspondent Ningmeng of ChinaAid)