(Linfen, Shanxi Province – April 17, 2025) On April 17, 2025, just before Good Friday, Pastor Wang Xiaoguang and his wife Preacher Yang Rongli of the Jin Deng Tang underground church (editor: aka Golden Lampstand Church) in Linfen, Shanxi, were once again nailed to the cross of authoritarian “justice.” On this day, the Yaodu District Court held a separate trial under the charge of “fraud”—but the entire process laid bare the Chinese Communist Party’s manipulation of the judicial system and its deep-seated hostility toward Christian faith.
Lawlessness exhibited by the Chinese authorities inside and outside of the courtroom
Defense lawyer Zhang Kai and his legal team were forcibly banned from bringing mobile phones or laptops into the courtroom and denied access to any legal basis for the claim that the case was “non-public.” Without proper procedures or justifiable reasons, the court expelled the lawyers entirely. When they tried to speak out publicly and livestream their defense outside the courthouse, they were ambushed by SWAT police—surrounded by dozens of officers and plainclothes agents, their taxi was intercepted on a highway overpass. It was a terrifying moment, filled with tension and danger—an act of raw political intimidation. This was not justice; it was retribution. Not rule of law, but lawlessness—a blatant assault on faith and righteousness.
Background of the Golden Lampstand Church (Jin Deng Tang Church)
Jin Deng Tang Church is a typical underground church. Since 1998, under the leadership of Pastor Wang and his wife Yang, it has grown from a few dozen believers to a congregation of over 50,000. Precisely because they refused to compromise with the authorities and rejected the CCP-controlled “Three-Self Patriotic Church,” they have endured years of suppression—losing pensions, medical coverage, and now facing imprisonment under absurd allegations of fraud. Their only “crime” is loyalty to Christ and a refusal to bow to a lying system. In a regime that allows no freedom of belief, a true church is inevitably branded as an “enemy force.” Yet that is precisely the proof of their authentic faith—their light exposes the darkness.
As Scripture says:
“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven.”(Matthew 5:11–12, NIV)
The court, which ought to uphold justice, has become a weapon against believers. Judges, instead of administering the law with integrity, now serve as puppets of political power. Every “legal” verdict they pronounce is a disgrace to God and a betrayal of conscience. What we are witnessing is not just the collapse of law, but a regime’s hatred of truth and fear of light.
The Church of Christ will stand
Yet the Church of Christ does not stand on human approval—it stands on the Rock. Jesus said:
“On this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.”(Matthew 16:18, NIV)
The CCP may build walls around churches and chain pastors in prison, but it can never imprison the truth or shackle the Gospel. Today, Jin Deng Tang suffers; tomorrow, their glory will shine all the brighter.
We pray for Pastor Wang Xiaoguang, Preacher Yang Rongli, and all the pastors who are being persecuted. May the Lord strengthen their faith and execute justice on their behalf. Let righteousness roll on like a river, and may the One enthroned in heaven bring judgment with His mighty hand.
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.(Matthew 5:10)
(Reported by ChinaAid Reader Tony Tang)
Video 1: Church members ambushed by SWAT team and authorities outside the courtroom.
Video 2: Chinese authorities demolished the Golden Lampstand Church building.
