ChinaAid
October 28, 2010
Linfen Church Chronicle
On September 13, the world-shaking “913 Fushan Incident” occurred.
At 4:00 a.m. on September 13, 2009, nearly 400 local policemen and government officials broke into Linfen Church’s meeting place, “The Good News Shoe Factory.” They attacked believers and destroyed the church property, including several church buildings. There were dozens of Christians injured that night, but the local government did not allow them to receive medical treatment.
On September 25, Yang Rongli and six other church members were kidnapped by the police on their way to petition about the incident.
At the same time, almost all the church members were monitored 24/7, or put under house arrest by police — the situation was deteriorating.
On October 11, nine church members, including Yang Rongli, were put under criminal detention.
On October 29, Chinese human rights attorneys testified on the state of religious freedom in China, including the case of Linfen Church.
On November 25, 2009, Linfen Raodu People’s Court opened session.
The session lasted from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. and had 2 breaks. In all, the defendants’ families were only given 4 attendance tickets.
At 10 p.m., Yang Rongli, Wang Xiaoguang, Zhang Huamei, Yang Xuan, and Cui Jiaxing were sentenced to 3 – 7 years of imprisonment by the court.
Soon after that, Linfen Church members started 120 days of fasting and prayer.
In December 2009, all the church services began to resume.
In 2010, all the church services were back in order.
Up to mid-October of 2010, Linfen Church has successfully held three conferences. In June there were 265 Christians attending the conference, in August 300, and in September 330.
In June 2010, the “Love in the City of David” campus fellowship in Shangxi Normal College successfully held their graduation ceremony.
In the summer break of 2010, Linfen Church successfully held college and high school student summer camps.
In August 2010, a college student Bible study team was established. The goal of the team is to train the college students to be future church leaders.
Up to August 4, 333 people have been baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.
On September 13, 2010, around 100 people joined the “913 Incident” fasting and prayer meeting.
In September 2010, the Linfen Church Hymn Ensemble returned to the service.
On National Day 2010, the church successfully held a student retreat.
Up to mid-October 2010, 15 church members have become full-time clergy, and four members are in preparation.
Up to now, the youth fellowship conducts their own Sunday meeting, prayer meeting, morning devotional meeting, library and choir. Everything is coming along well.
Please visit HelpLinfen.com to learn more and help the persecuted church.
China Aid Contacts
Rachel Ritchie, English Media Director
Cell: (432) 553-1080 | Office: 1+ (888) 889-7757 | Other: (432) 689-6985
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Website: www.chinaaid.org
