NEWS ALERT: Chinese Pastor And Wife Sentenced To One Year Labor Camp
Wednesday, July 1, 2009 (2:03 pm)
By Worthy News Asia Service
BEIJING, CHINA (Worthy News) -- The pastor of a major Chinese evangelical church and his wife have been sentenced to one year "re-education through labor" for "engaging in illegal religious activities," trial observers confirmed Wednesday, July 1.
Advocacy group China Aid Association (CAA) told Worthy News that Pastor Dou Shaowen and his wife Feng Lu of Rock (Panshi) Church in Zhengzhou city of Henan province were sentenced to a labor camp.
However his wife has meanwhile been released to serve her sentence at home to care for her 12-year-old daughter, CAA added. “She is required to report to the Public Security Bureau regularly, and could be sent to labor camp again if she is found 'engaging in illegal religious activities',” the group explained.
The couple plans to appeal the verdict. “Attorney Li Dunyong has traveled to Zhengzhou city to represent Pastor Dou and Feng Lu for the Administrative Review and Appeal,” the group said.
CHURCH RAID
Pastor Dou Shaowen and his wife Feng Lu were detained June 14, when several dozen security officials from broke into the church’s Sunday worship service, Christians said. Officials allegedly forcibly photographed and videotaped the more than 100 Christians present, cut off the electricity and forced the Christians to leave.
"Finally, the authorities posted sealing tape from the Bureau of Religion, sealing off all the worship areas of Rock Church," CAA said.
Five other Christians,identified as Li Zhemin, Wei Jianhua, Zhang Julin, Ma Jianbo and Li Cuiying were arrested with Pastor Dou and Feng Lu and sentenced to 15 days of administrative detention. They were reportedly also forced to pay fines of up to 900 Yuan each ($132).
The case comes amid a reported crackdown on unauthorized worship services in several parts of China, a Communist-run nation where authorities say Christians are free to gather within state-backed denominations.
CAA said it had urged its supporters to contact authorities and demand the release of the Christians. It said Zhengzhou's Mayor could be reached via phone: +86-371-12345, or e-mail: mayor@zhengzhou.gov.cn Zhengzhou Municipal Public Security Bureau could be reached via +86-371-66228710, the group said.
The Rock Church has been closed. Via CAA
BEIJING, CHINA (Worthy News) -- The pastor of a major Chinese evangelical church and his wife have been sentenced to one year "re-education through labor" for "engaging in illegal religious activities," trial observers confirmed Wednesday, July 1.
Advocacy group China Aid Association (CAA) told Worthy News that Pastor Dou Shaowen and his wife Feng Lu of Rock (Panshi) Church in Zhengzhou city of Henan province were sentenced to a labor camp.
However his wife has meanwhile been released to serve her sentence at home to care for her 12-year-old daughter, CAA added. “She is required to report to the Public Security Bureau regularly, and could be sent to labor camp again if she is found 'engaging in illegal religious activities',” the group explained.
The couple plans to appeal the verdict. “Attorney Li Dunyong has traveled to Zhengzhou city to represent Pastor Dou and Feng Lu for the Administrative Review and Appeal,” the group said.
CHURCH RAID
Pastor Dou Shaowen and his wife Feng Lu were detained June 14, when several dozen security officials from broke into the church’s Sunday worship service, Christians said. Officials allegedly forcibly photographed and videotaped the more than 100 Christians present, cut off the electricity and forced the Christians to leave.
"Finally, the authorities posted sealing tape from the Bureau of Religion, sealing off all the worship areas of Rock Church," CAA said.
Five other Christians,identified as Li Zhemin, Wei Jianhua, Zhang Julin, Ma Jianbo and Li Cuiying were arrested with Pastor Dou and Feng Lu and sentenced to 15 days of administrative detention. They were reportedly also forced to pay fines of up to 900 Yuan each ($132).
The case comes amid a reported crackdown on unauthorized worship services in several parts of China, a Communist-run nation where authorities say Christians are free to gather within state-backed denominations.
CAA said it had urged its supporters to contact authorities and demand the release of the Christians. It said Zhengzhou's Mayor could be reached via phone: +86-371-12345, or e-mail: mayor@zhengzhou.gov.cn Zhengzhou Municipal Public Security Bureau could be reached via +86-371-66228710, the group said.
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Increase
Decrease
In our city, the largest in this US state, there are no other Christians like us, we are of Jewish ancestry. So, because we have to worship at home, each family by itself, I do not understand why 100 Believers would come together in one place in a country that outlaws it. Why do they set up their leaders in such ways? Are they masochists? We only get to glory in persecutions for righteousness sake, not for being foolish. Why am I not hearing of small families being persecuted for worshipping privately at home? This would be the last straw. Not the right for 100 people to join together to break countries laws. This makes no sense.
{{{… sent to labor camp again if she is found ‘engaging in illegal religious activities’ …}}}
Praying!
“Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.”
2 Timothy 3:12
That The Lights
“Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.”
“Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.”
“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”
Matthew 5:14-16
Never Go Out Until PEACE Returns
“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee.”
Psalms 122:6
Hallelujah!
“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
Oh LORD
Bless Your Beloved In China
Turn The Hearts Of The Fathers Toward The Children And Save Now! Hosanna To The LORD!
In The Holy Name Of Jesus
Love, Joe