China releases Christian leaders after years in prison as pressure on churches continues

Stephen J. By Bose, Chief International Correspondent of Worthy News

Beijing (meaningful news) – China has freed the last two church leaders detained for nearly four years following a controversial police raid on a Christian congregation, amid ongoing concerns over religious persecution.

He was one of the believers released when more than 100 police officers raided an outdoor camp containing about 70 members of the independent Linfen Covenant House Church in the city of Linfen in August 2022, according to rights activists.

Worthy News learned that those detained included pastors Li Jie, Han Xiaodong and Wang Qiang. All three faced charges related to “fraud”, a charge commonly used against domestic churches that refuse to join the state-controlled Three-Self Patriotic Movement (TSPM).

Advocacy group Voice of the Martyrs Canada (VOMC) said, “Since Wang is scheduled to be released in September 2024 after serving a two-year prison sentence, he was present on April 19 to welcome the release of Pastors Li and Han after their sentences were completed.”

Church raid and release details

“The release process for each of these believers proceeded relatively smoothly, and they were not required to sign any documents that compromised their faith principles,” VOMC told Worthy News.

Christiansen described Judicial Bureau staff as “friendly” and even volunteered to assist with commemorative photographs.

In comments shared with Worthy News, family members said that although their loved ones were “physically imprisoned, their spirits remained free through their strong faith in Christ.”

Yet, “despite this encouraging news, persecution of Christians in China continues,” VOMC warned.

Constant pressure on Christians

“Believers are facing pressure to conform to the requirements of the Chinese Communist Party, placing significant pressure on their ability to freely live out their faith,” the group said.

China ranks 17th on the annual Open Doors World Watch list of the 50 countries where Christians face the most persecution.

Investigators say the ruling Chinese Communist Party (CCP) views Christianity as a potential threat to its atheist ideology and seeks to tightly control churches and public expressions of faith.

“Although there are registered churches in China – those falling under the Three-Self Patriotic Movement (TSPM) or the Catholic Patriotic Association (CPA) – these are closely monitored by the state, which monitors what is preached and who is present. People under the age of 18 are not allowed to attend,” Open Doors noted.

State control and religious boundaries

“The purpose of these restrictions is to ensure the ‘sinicization’ of churches – linking religious doctrine with communist ideology,” the group said.

Despite these challenges, according to conservative estimates, there are an estimated 100 million Christians in China’s population of more than 1.4 billion people. Some Communist officials and others had previously suggested that the real number might be 130 million or higher.

In a message to supporters, VOMC said it was “important to pray for Pastor Li, Han, Wang, and their families as they adjust to life beyond incarceration, asking God to restore their strength, provide them with healing, and guide their next steps through the restoration process.”

The group also urged prayer for other “Christian brothers and sisters across China whose lives and religious freedom are under constant threat because of their commitment to Christ,” including those who are still imprisoned because of their faith.

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