(Guangdong province) Believers of Shengjia Church are facing criminal charges for printing internal study materials. In the past month, there has been no news about those who were detained. The church issued a call for prayer on their behalf.
New incoming wave
Numerous cases in various regions indicate that the Chinese government has been frequently using the alleged crime of “illegal business operations” to suppress Christians in recent years. This trumped-up charge poses a threat to pastors and others serving in church ministries. New uses of “illegal business operations” signify a new round of religious freedom oppression. The focus of this wave is directed at the house church-operated schools.
Raid on the learning center
Shengjia Church operated an independently controlled education system known as the “Christian Education and Help Center” in Foshan City, Shunde District, Guangdong Province. On the morning of May 24th, 2023, dozens of police and state security violently raided the center. They searched the center and confiscated all educational resources. They forcibly opened all doors, inspected the personal belongings of those present, questioned the Christians individually, and took video footage of the entire process from different angles. The search continued until the afternoon, during which the police took away all computers, tables, chairs, picture books, and other teaching materials from the center. Authorities dispersed everyone present and put fire seals on the doors.
In this joint crackdown, local authorities took away four Christians, Deng Yanxiang, Zhu Longjiang, Wang Weicai, and Zhu Qiaoling. On June 28th, these four Christians were charged with “illegal business operations.”
Prayer for Shengjia Church
A recent prayer request letter from Shengjia Church asked the public to pray for its church pastor, Deng Yanxiang. According to the letter, there was a one to two-month investigation period, during which the church could only wait and pray for God’s protection. over their physical, mental, and spiritual well-being so that they may have peace and strength in the Lord.
So-called evidence
The investigation period is the time required for collecting “incriminating evidence” for fabricated charges. In other words, investigators will subpoena relevant and selectively edit materials according to their agenda. Their goal is to dismantle the education system of Shengjia Church.
According to sources, the police are conducting continuous cross-examinations and interviews with individuals associated with the church, and the situation does not look optimistic.
State-run schools
In China, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) exercises full control over officially state-run schools, such as designing the curriculum and the political spectrum of the educators. China imposes strict control over speech, text filters, and exceptionally tight control over all publications, including Christian faith books.
The alternative
Independent church education, separate from the government’s education system, attempts to establish educational programs to maintain the integrity of the Christian faith. Some churches may print in-house study materials, but these internally published learning materials are not at all profit-oriented.
Religious freedom
ChinaAid promotes religious freedom and the rule of law in China. We believe that religious freedom is the first freedom, serving as the foundation for all other human rights. Readers and supporters should pray for these four Christian brothers and sisters who have been arbitrarily detained.
~Gao Zhensai, Special Correspondent of ChinaAid
