Worthy Christian News » China House Church Pastor Detained Despite "Insufficient Evidence"

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By Worthy News Asia Service with Worthy News' Stefan J. Bos

BEIJING, CHINA (Worthy News) — A well-known house church pastor in China's Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region remained behind bars Monday, March 9, despite a court ruling saying there was "insufficient evidence" to hold him, Christians said.

The case of Pastor Lou Yuanqi was sent back by the prosecutor to the Public Security Bureau (PSB), China's main law enforcement agency, added advocacy group China Aid Association (CAA), which closely monitored the trial.

Pastor Lou reportedly stood trial on December 15, last year on charges of  "utilizing superstition to undermine the law." Local Christians said the real reason for the charge was Lou’s house church activities and an attempt to halt meetings in his home.

A local court apparently agreed. "The facts used in the case are not clear, the evidence is insufficient," a statement said. During Lou’s trial, the presiding judge "acknowledged the persecution in Xinjiang," Chinese Christians said.

"If the Christians have more religious freedom in areas outside Xinjiang, they should consider leaving Xinjiang because Xinjiang is special," he was quoted as saying.

Yet, despite the ruling, Pastor Lou continues to be imprisoned, CAA told Worthy News.

DAUGHTER BEATEN

In addition Lou’s daughter Lou Tiantian, 18, was beaten by court police when she tried to speak with her father while being put into a police car, according to video footage released by CAA. Lou Tiantian was taken to the hospital where she received medical treatment, before being released the same night, Christians said.

The troubles began for Pastor Lou on May 17, 2008, when he was first detained on May 17 in Qingshuihe town of Huocheng county of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, witnesses said. The same day, Pastor Lou was transferred to Huocheng County Detention Center, adding to concerns over his health, according to CAA investigators. "Pastor Lou suffers from hepatitis B and the harsh prison conditions worsen his health," CAA added.

Despite difficulties, Pastor Lou’s wife, Wang Wenxiu, his children and church continue to meet. When said in a statement released by friends she was encouraged that "Christians around the world were praying" for her family. "This [imprisonment of Pastor Lou] is God's best will. It is His promise. It is the grace of the Lord. How could we be worthy of awakening so many brothers and sisters’ prayers for us?," she reportedly said.

"The Cross of Jesus encourages us to move forward. I am very joyful and full of gratitude for all of the prayer support.”

It comes at a time when rights groups say China's Communist government has stepped up a crackdown on house churches, amid concerns among party officials over the spread of Christianity outside the state controlled churches.  There are an estimated 130 million Christians in China, Chinese officials have said privately. The Chinese government has denied rights abuses.

CAA said it had asked its supporters to "write an encouraging letter to Pastor Lou Yuanqi in prison". The address was identified as Pastor Lou Yuanqi, Huocheng County Detention Center, Yili City, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, China.

Related News Stories:

  1. China: House Church Pastor Detained
  2. House Church Pastor and Evangelist Arrested in Henan, China
  3. China: House Church Raid & Update on Pastor Gong
  4. China Releases House Church Leader; Mother Remains Detained
  5. China Releases House Church Leaders Following International Pressure
  6. Ailing House Church Leader Remains Detained In China
  7. China "Detains" 40 House Church Leaders; Jails Pastor

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  • Pete in Texas (steadfastandfaithful.blogspot.com)

    Thank you for this important story. I'm going over to the China Aid web site (www.chinaaid.org), which is very informative, and I'm writing a note of encouragment to Pastor Lou.

  • FresnoJoe

    Praying!

    >>>>>()<<<<<

    A Love Note To The Derelict Folk At The Public Security Bureau Of China

    There Are Two Ways To Deal With The Little Children Entrusted To Your Care By The State And By God

    With Respect
    And With Love
    And With Nurturing Care

    "At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?
    And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them,
    And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.
    Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
    And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me."
    Matthew 18:1-5

    Or With Rage
    And With Hate Against The LORD
    And With Contempt For The State Who Entrusted These Dear Little Ones To You

    "But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.
    Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh!"
    Matthew 18:6-7

    And If You Find You Must Sin Again And Again Against The Humble People Of The State Of China
    And Against The Mighty God Of All There Is
    You Have But One Path
    You Must Take

    "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me."
    John 14:6

    To Cure The Sickness

    "A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh."
    Ezekiel 36:26

    In Order To Save The Patient

    "He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him."
    John 3:36

    You Must Believe In The Creator Of The Lands And The Healer Of Souls

    "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."
    John 3:16

    And The LORD Jesus Christ Will Cure The Sin Sickness And Save The Patient

    "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me."
    Revelation 3:20

    And Like The Humble Believers Left In Your Care You Hold For A Time

    "To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne."
    Revelation 3:21

    You Too Will Know God

    "And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him:
    And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads." Revelation 22:3-4

    And Rather Then Destroying

    "Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!
    Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!"
    Isaiah 5:20-21

    You Will Finally Be Set Free To Love

    "But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
    That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust." Matthew 5:44-45

    God's Grace To You
    With Love
    Joe

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