(Zibo, Shandong, China) In the recent case regarding the staff of Beijing Lampstand Church, ChinaAid sources discovered the verdict. The Court sentenced Pastor Qin Sifeng to five and a half years for “illegal business operations.” Church co-worker Su Minjun was sentenced to three and a half years of probation. Authorities released Wu Ling’e, counting her 18-month sentence as time served.
Why they were arrested
Lampstand Church printed some hymnals and theological materials for internal use. This led to a harsh investigation by the police. Officers arrested Pastor Qin and Su Minjun in July 2022 as they preached the gospel in Yunan province. On August 5, 2022, Zibo police arrested them for illegal business operations and detained them at Zibo Detention Center.
Treated like criminals
Witnesses reported that the defendants appeared in the court handcuffed and manacled, like hardened criminals. The defending lawyer handed in the plead of innocence. Meanwhile, families reported that Zibo local authorities were forced to give a verdict approved by upper-level officials.
Preaching the Gospel
Pastor Qin Sifeng still feels upbeat, regarding imprisonment as an opportunity to spread the gospel. Many pastors and Christians use their prison sentences to share the gospel. Some report good results, while others are prevented from doing so.
Delayed verdict
Even though the trial was held this April, the Beijing Lampstand verdict recently became public. Courts in China try to prevent exposure to religious freedom by making the trials secret or releasing the verdict weeks later.
~Yu Bing, ChinaAid Contributing Reporter
