persecution over seas
 Chen Jingmao, a house church leader in China, was arrested during the Summer of 2001. He has now been imprisoned for over 1500 days. Read his story below from Voice of the Martyrs. Brother Chen Jingmao, who is 72 years old, was arrested July 9, 2001, for "illegal evangelistic activities." He had previously been arrested in 1999 and April 2001, on similar charges. This time he was sentenced to four years in prison on May 14, 2002, for the charge of "using an 'evil cult' to obstruct the law." These charges refer to his association with the South China Church. More than 100 leaders of this large house-church movement have been arrested, nine of whom were given prison sentences along with Mr. Chen. According to court documents, he was charged with "active recruitment of evil cult members," "organizing secret illegal religious gatherings numerous times," and "distributing the evil cult propaganda materials-'Salvation and China.'" One bit of evidence brought up at the hearing was that Mr. Chen had sent his granddaughter to be trained as a Sunday school teacher. Because he had led 50 prison inmates to Christ, the guards severely beat him in February of this year, breaking both of his legs. In addition, the beatings to his head seemed to have caused mental confusion. The guards implied that his actions had brought shame on the Communist Party. Pray for this godly church leader who continues to be faithful to Jesus’ command in Matthew 28 to make disciples. |
posted by Christie