China Frees Christian Leaders After Years In Prison As Pressure On Churches Continues

by Stefan J. Bos, Worthy News Chief International Correspondent

BEIJING (Worthy News) – China has freed the last two church leaders detained for nearly four years following a controversial police raid on a Christian gathering, amid ongoing concerns over religious persecution.

The released believers were among those arrested when more than 100 police officers raided an outdoor camp attended by some 70 members of the independent Linfen Covenant House Church in Linfen City in August 2022, according to rights activists.

Among those detained were Pastor Li Jie, Han Xiaodong, and Wang Qiang, Worthy News learned. The three faced charges related to “fraud,” a commonly used accusation against house churches that refuse to join the state-controlled Three-Self Patriotic Movement (TSPM).

“Since Wang had been released in September 2024, after serving a two-year prison sentence, he was present on April 19 to welcome the release of Pastor Li and Han following the completion of their respective sentences,” advocacy group Voice of the Martyrs Canada (VOMC) said.

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.

Staff from the judicial bureau were described as “friendly” and even volunteered to assist with commemorative photographs, Christians said.

In remarks shared with Worthy News, family members added that although their loved ones “had been physically imprisoned, their spirits remained free through their steadfast faith in Christ.”

Yet, “despite this encouraging news, the persecution of Christians in China remains ongoing,” VOMC cautioned.

ONGOING PRESSURE ON CHRISTIANS

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

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

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

“While there are registered churches in China—falling under either the Three-Self Patriotic Movement (TSPM) or the Catholic Patriotic Association (CPA)—these are closely overseen by the state, which monitors what is preached and who is present. Under-18s are not permitted to attend,” Open Doors noted.

STATE CONTROL AND RELIGIOUS LIMITS

“These restrictions are intended to ensure the ‘sinicization’ of churches—aligning religious doctrine with Communist ideology,” the group added.

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

In a message to supporters, VOMC said it was crucial to pray “for Pastor Li, Han, Wang, and their families as they adjust to life beyond imprisonment, asking the Lord to restore their strength, grant them healing, and guide their next steps through the restorative process.”

The group also urged prayers for other “Christian brothers and sisters throughout China whose lives and religious freedoms are continually at risk because of their commitment to Christ,” including those still imprisoned for their faith.

Latest Worthy News