Nationwide and Global Christian Support Brings Comfort

The letter of thanks states that since May 17, when Zion’s Light Church and its pastors and co-workers were criminally detained under allegedly unlawful charges, they have received comfort and care from Christians across the country and around the world. The voices of our brothers and sisters speaking up for us in the face of injustice have deeply moved and encouraged us, the letter reads. 

“As the pastor’s wife, I would like to thank everyone, grateful to everyone that because of your love for God, you also care for His humble servants. The Lord Jesus once said: “‘A slave is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will persecute you as well.”

Pastor Gao Quanfu told a lawyer visiting him that going to prison is a required course for being a pastor. Pang Yu acknowledged that as a pastor’s wife, she is a person who is usually quiet and not well-versed in speech or knowledge.

However, she firmly believes that no matter what charges the world lays upon the co-workers of Zion’s Light, the church has always and will continue to follow the path of Christ’s truth, striving to be devout, disciplined, law-abiding citizens on this earth. “For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. ”

Details of Arrests and Legal Suppression

Zion’s Light Church is a mega house church with a history of forty years. By the mid-2000s, it had grown to several hundred members. In November 2023, its former name “Mount Zion Church” was banned, after which it was renamed “Zion’s Light.” The church’s leaders, including Pastor Gao Quanfu and other co-workers, adhere to the orthodox Christian faith.

Around 10 p.m. on May 16, 2025, the now 68-year-old Pastor Gao Quanfu was taken from his home by multiple officers from Xingqing Road Police Station in Beilin District, Xi’an. Four days later, his wife finally received a detention notice stating that Pastor Gao had been criminally detained on suspicion of “using superstition to undermine the implementation of the law” and was being held at the Beilin District Detention Center.

Starting on May 17, other church leaders, including Pastors Jiao Yong and Tang Bingyi, Elder Wang Yibo, Preacher Guo Ru, and church coworkers Li Qing and Du Juan were also summoned. By May 21, their families received criminal detention notices, all citing the same charge of on suspicion of “using superstition to undermine the implementation of the law.” On the night of May 19, Preacher Liu Ce of Zion’s Light Church was also summoned, and his family later received notice that Preacher Liu Ce had been given ten days of administrative detention.

On May 21, 2025, the Beilin District National Security Brigade of the Xi’an Public Security Bureau issued an internal “situation report” to the Beilin Detention Center, instructing the facility to deny lawyers access to the seven detained individuals from Zion’s Light Church including Pastor Gao Quanfu. It also advised the Beilin Detention Center to be mindful of its methods and to refuse the lawyer’s request to meet with him on the grounds that he was being arraigned..

Church’s Enduring Mission and Prayer for China

In her letter of thanks, Pang Yu, the Pastor’wife wrote:

“Thanks be to God who has added the glory of the cross to Zion’s Light Church, deemed worthy to suffer shame for His name! Thank you to all the believers for your support and prayers, it is you all’s love that has added to our strength and strengthened our faith. The Lord Jesus said: “When we are cursed, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it.”

According to Pang Yu, the Pastor’wife, the members of their church have been faithfully praying for China, for the city of Xi’an, and for their local community for forty years, in obedience to Jesus’ teachings. Their charitable work for neighbors and families has never ceased, their cries for God’s righteousness and social justice will not stop, and their prayers for love, reconciliation, and repentance will continue.

At the end of her letter of thanks, she wrote:

“We know well that the road ahead may be full of thorns. May we, as people in Christ, walk hand in hand, encouraging one another, choosing love, forgiveness, faith, and kindness in this crooked and depraved generation, for our reward and crown are in the hands of our Heavenly Father! May all thanks, praise, and glory be to Him, now and forever!”

(Reported by Special Correspondent Ningmeng for ChinaAid)