China: Street evangelist released after 6th detention this year

by Karen Faulkner, Worthy News Correspondent

(Worthy News) – A street evangelist from China’s Hunan province has been released after being imprisoned by Chinese authorities for the sixth time this year, International Christian Concern (ICC) reports. Chen Wensheng of Hengyang City had been detained from September 26 to October 11 for sharing the Gospel on the street.

The church in China has continued to grow, despite efforts by the ruling Chinese Communist Party to suppress Christianity and persecute believers. “The Communist Party relies strongly on Chinese cultural identity to stay in power and limits whatever it perceives as a threat to its control on society,” rights organization Open Doors USA says on its website.

In his latest incident of detention, Qingshan police officers arrived at Wensheng’s home and took him to the police station, China Aid reported. Once in custody, Wensheng was told to stop preaching the Gospel – but he reportedly even shared the Word with the police before being incarcerated for two weeks.

Thanking God for his release in a social media post, Wensheng said: “Hallelujah! Thanks to God’s grace, the Lord’s presence, and prayers with love from my family. After being detained at Henyang Detention Center for 15 days for preaching the Gospel, this morning I was sent home by the police and a local leader of the United Front Department. They have now departed, which means I can go preach the Good News again.”

China ranks 17 on the US Open Doors Watch List 2021 of top 50 countries where Christians are persecuted.

Latest Worthy News