(Shunde, Guangdong Province) Public security forces formally arrested four Shengjia Church members on suspicion of “illegal business operations.” Among them were Pastor Deng Yanxiang and three co-workers. Currently, they are detained in Foshan City Nanhai District Detention Center.
Photos: The official arrest notices for Pastor Deng Yanxiang, Wang Weicai, Zhu Qiaoling, and Zhu Longjiang (ChinaAid source)
Raid and arrest
On the morning of May 24, police raided Shengjia Church’s education center. Christians were getting ready for the school day. Suddenly, several dozen police, national security agents, staff of the religious affairs bureau, and the community management office rushed into the center. They searched the whole center and confiscated all the educational equipment. Officers arrested and detained Pastor Deng Yanxiang and three co-workers after the raid. Families received 30-day criminal detention notices the following day.
The Four Shengjia Church members
“Little Hu” is the wife of Zhu Longjiang, one of the arrested coworkers of Shengjia Church. She and the other families asked for prayer during this difficult time. “My husband, Zhu Longjiang, is a devout Christian,” she wrote. According to her post on social media, Zhu’s parents need constant care, and they miss their son. “We pray for justice, and hope that Guangdong Province Foshan City Shunde District Bureau of Public Security will release my husband soon so that he can serve his parents!”
Wang Weicai’s wife questioned the charges in her prayer request. “He is always devout and loves the Lord and actively helps brothers and sisters. How does he suddenly become a criminal?”
Zhu Qiaoling is one of the arrested female coworkers. She is known in the church for her hospitality. By utilizing the online church group, she distributes items to Christians in need.
Prayers from Shengjia Church
All four Christians were not released after the 30-day criminal detention. Shengjia Church posted “They are innocent. They are kind, loving, and honest people. They actively participate in public service. They are well respected among colleagues and neighbors. They have a very good reputation. Law enforcement imposed huge social harm by arresting people without discerning between good and bad.”
~Yu Bing, ChinaAid Special Reporter
