China Aid Association
(Shanghai–March 30, 2013) A Reformed Church in Shanghai has been targeted by the local government for persecution, including ordering the church to shut down and putting the senior pastor under surveillance, ChinaAid has learned.
Senior Pastor Gao Baoluo (Paul) said that the situation has been increasingly tense since the beginning of March. He said, the government departments don’t even bother trying to have any direct contact; instead, they go behind our backs to threaten the landlord and not allow us to continue worshipping here. Then they go to the work units of the individual church members and give them orders, telling them they do not have permission to come to our church anymore, otherwise, they must resign from their jobs or they will be fired.
The senior pastor said, “Last weekend, even my 70-year-old elderly mother was summoned by the neighborhood committee and forced to answer questions about my situation, which gave the old lady a great fright.”
Pastor Gao’s personal freedom is currently under threat: every time he leaves his home, he is tailed by plainclothes police.
ChinaAid expresses its surprise and dismay over this case happening in Shanghai and will continue to closely monitor developments.
China Aid Contacts
Rachel Ritchie, English Media Director
Cell: (432) 553-1080 | Office: 1+ (888) 889-7757 | Other: (432) 689-6985
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.chinaaid.org
