Sometime we need to be reminded how fortunate we are to have been born in America.
The Persecuted Church
Massive Arrest of Chinese and American Christian Leaders
China Aid Association has learned though credible sources that on April 19, 2007 in Akesu city, Xinjiang province, about 30 major house church leaders were arrested when they met with four American Christians. The four Americans were also arrested. Included among the arrested Americans are a senior pastor and an associate pastor of an American church. Sources tell CAA that the four Americans arrived at Akesu airport on April 17 and fellowshipped with the house church leaders on April 18 at a local church family house.
At the time of this press release the four Americans are still being held for questioning in an undisclosed hotel. The translator for the Americans, Mr. Jinhong Li from Beijing, is also still being detained. On April 23, the PSB confiscated the luggage of the four Americans from the house of their host, a local church family.
Eight Chinese pastors were released on April 20 and at least 6 others have already received criminal detention papers for 30 days detention, accused as "suspects involved in evil cult activities." The names of the accused are Pastor Xinglan Zhao, Pastor Xiurong Huang, Pastor Tianlu Yang, 41, Pastor Chaoyi Wang, 41, Pastor Cuiling Li, 48, and Pastor Sijun He.
The Chinese government may sentence the six accused pastors to 1-3 years re-education through labor because they were previously detained a couple of years ago for one month for organizing house church activities. Eyewitnesses told CAA that at least two of the arrested were seen with bleeding noses and bruises on their faces from torture at the interrogation site. They are being held at A Ke Su City Detention Center.
CAA has learned the US Embassy is intervening for this case.
"We urge the Xinjiang authorities to abide by both the Chinese and international laws in respect of religious freedom." said Rev. Bob Fu, the president of CAA, "These Americans and Chinese Christians have done nothing wrong and the Police who are engaging in torture against theses Christians are to be held legally and morally responsible for what they have done."
(Issued by China Aid Association Inc. on April 24, 2007) |
• Wed 25 Apr 2007 - <i>Untitled Comment</i>
Is the reason why American churches are not 'truly' persecuted because they are really not doing the work of the Lord?
The Work of the Lord is to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ to all the nations...To baptize in the Name of The Father, The Son, and The Holy Ghost. The whole mission of man is to bring those to Christ, for Salvation.
Maybe it's the churches abroad, truly doing the Work of God, really bringing people to Salvation in Jesus Christ, and willing to die to do it.......maybe that is why they are persecuted?
And the lack of persecution of the American churches, is it because they are more worried about attendance and million dollar entertainment centers for the youth, then actually saving souls??
I wonder?
laura
Thought provoking post Laura. I am afraid the church in America is looking for a place of rest and pleasure in the Son rather than fighting the good fight to spread the word to a lost and dying world.
Grandma Rosie
Edited by GrandmaRosie on Wed 25 Apr 2007 at 10:37 PM