(Xi’an — September 17, 2026) Authorities in northwestern China are moving toward trial in a “fraud” case against house church Pastor Tang Bingyi, part of a broader prosecution of Light of Zion Church leaders that supporters say treats voluntary church offerings as criminal fraud.
Tang, 40, serves at Light of Zion Church in Xi’an, the capital of Shaanxi Province. His family released a public prayer letter Sept. 13 ahead of a Sept. 15 pretrial conference, outlining recent case developments, his ministry background and the family’s modest financial circumstances.
As previously reported by ChinaAid News, Tang is one of three church leaders facing “fraud” charges, along with church founder Pastor Gao Quanfu and Gao’s wife, Pang Yu.
According to the family’s letter, Tang spent his 40th birthday in detention on Sept. 8. Born into a Christian family, he graduated from high school in 2006, attended college for a year and then entered the workforce.
After an introduction from Gao, Tang moved to Xi’an and completed three years of theological studies. He began serving in ministry in 2010 and later received additional training at Beijing Zion Church before returning to Light of Zion Church.
The family said Tang initially received 350 yuan a month for his pastoral work, about $50. His pay was adjusted modestly every three years and had reached 3,800 yuan, about $560, per month before his arrest.
Tang’s wife, Liu Junli, previously worked for a public transportation company but was laid off amid the company’s operational difficulties. She is not currently employed and cares for their 7-year-old daughter.
The family has rented housing in Xi’an for years and since 2017 has lived in a 40-square-meter public rental apartment, about 430 square feet. Their primary daily transportation is an electric bicycle.
The family said authorities initially detained Tang on suspicion of “using superstition to undermine the implementation of the law.” The alleged offense was later changed to “fraud” as the case moved into the prosecution stage.
In recent years, ChinaAid has reported multiple cases in which house church pastors and other Christian leaders have faced fraud allegations tied to tithes, offerings or other church funds. Religious freedom advocates contend the prosecutions criminalize ordinary religious activity.
Tang’s defense lawyers, Zeng Yue and Luo Tao, plan to seek his acquittal. In the prayer letter, the family called for the case to be handled fairly and according to law and asked Christians to pray for their needs throughout the legal process.
Light of Zion Church has a history spanning more than 40 years. Gao and Pang were previously arrested and remain detained as their own cases move forward.
Gao Zhensai is a special correspondent for ChinaAid News. Founded in 2002, ChinaAid is an international Christian human rights organization committed to promoting religious freedom and the rule of law in China through advocacy, legal support, and international awareness campaigns.