CHINA

Chinese Pastor Put on Trial in Beijing Court Room
The Voice of the Martyrs

Pastor Cai Zhuohua, the leader of six Beijing-area house churches, was put on trial Thursday morning in a Beijing courtroom for alleged "illegal business practices".

The trial lasted about four-and-a-half hours, longer than expected according to Chinese VOM sources. The verdict was not announced.

Cai was on trial along with his wife, Xiao Yunfei; her brother, Xiao Gaowen; and his wife, Hu Jinyun.

Nine lawyers had volunteered to represent the accused Christians, but the judge allowed only five of them into the courtroom.

Pastor Cai's mother was also not allowed to be in the room for the trial. The family had been told that they would be allowed 10 seats for family members in the room. When they arrived at the court, though, they were told they would have only five seats. But then guards allowed only three family members inside, and Cai's mother was prohibited from entering. Two members of the church were allowed to enter, as was Xiao Yunfei's father. Even though there weren't enough seats for family members, the judge invited more than 20 law school students as his guests to observe the trial.

The U.S. Embassy sent an observer to be present at the trial, which had been announced for hearing room #3 at the People's Court of Haidian District in Beijing City. However, when he arrived at that room, the embassy staffer was told that the hearing had been moved to hearing room #6, then forced to leave the premises.

Once the hearing began, Pastor Cai revoked his written testimony, which was composed from the interrogation records of the police. He said he was not aware what the interrogator had written down on the interrogation record, and that he was forced to sign the record of the interview under torture. He denied that he had anything to do with the record.

All three of the other accused Christians also revoked their testimony, saying they had been forced under threat of torture to sign.

The lawyers tried to present evidence that the case had to do with Cai's unregistered church activities, but the judge would not allow any arguments about religious issues. "This has nothing to do with religion. This is an economic crime", presiding Judge You Tao said from the bench.

Police witnesses read their prosecution/accusation papers, as well as records from the interrogation. Only one witness for the defense was allowed to testify: an old Christian lady that said she had received Christian literature from Pastor Cai without being asked to pay anything.

This witness led into the defense's core argument: that because the Christian literature was being given away, it was not a for-profit activity and therefore could not have been "illegal business practice".

Cai was arrested last September 11, 2004 at a bus stop, where he was dragged into a van by state security officers. The prosecution of his case was reportedly arranged directly by the Department of State Security. Authorities had been shocked to find more than 200,000 pieces of printed Christian literature in a storage room managed by Cai.

The pastor has registered a business with the Chinese government, but the business does not have license to print religious material. Only one printer is legally able to print Bibles in China, and those Bibles can only be sold through registered churches.

The verdict in the case will be announced later. VOM sources say it could be a week, or it could be a year. It is believed that the Chinese government will try to find a time when political fallout from the decision will be less. One of Cai's lawyers told Agency France Presse that, “It is impossible for them to be found innocent, but I have confidence to strive for lighter sentences.”

"This is a clear violation of the religious freedom for this pastor and his family members", said Todd Nettleton, News Services Director for The Voice of the Martyrs. "This case is not about economics at all; it is simply another case of the Chinese government persecuting people of faith. We urge Christians around the world to pray and protest on behalf of these faithful Christians".

Letters of protest can be sent to the Chinese Embassy in Washington DC at the following address:

Ambassador Yang Jiechi
Embassy of the People’s Republic of China
2300 Connecticut Ave NW
Washington DC 20008
Tel:(202) 328-2500 Fax:(202) 588-0032
Director of Religious Affairs: (202) 328-2512

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"The conversion of the entire population to Islam and the extinction of every form of dissent is the ideal of the Muslim State - This is Islamic Peace"

A moderate Moslem is one who sends others blow themselves up.

Massive, coordinated crackdown on Chinese Christians
June 9, 2005


The Voice of the Martyrs

On May 22, during Sunday worship time, police and Public Security Bureau (PSB) officers simultaneously raided approximately 60 house churches in Changchun, the capital city of Jilin province in northeastern China. In the days following, an additional 40 churches in the area were also raided.

More than 600 house church believers and leaders were taken into custody. Most were released after 24 to 48 hours of interrogation, but approximately 100 leaders are still being held in different detention centers.

"This is clearly a major assault on unregistered house churches in Jilin province", said Todd Nettleton, Director of News Services for The Voice of the Martyrs. "The amount of man-power, coordination and planning involved in raiding 60 church meetings simultaneously shows this effort came from high levels of the Chinese government".

One church pastor, Zhao Dianru, 58, was arrested May 22 and released Monday, June 6, after 15 days of "administrative detention". Zhao's arrest document accused him of "using other means to instigate and disturb social stability", but did not mention religion or church activities. According to reliable contacts in that area, at least 20 boxes of Christian books were confiscated during the police raids.

VOM sources say that university students, professors and other young intellectuals make up a large portion of the raided house church groups. It's believed this is a coordinated campaign to eliminate house church influence in the university areas. At least three of the arrested church leaders work as professors at Changchun University. The three were also released after 15 days of detention, but are being watched by PSB officers.

China's new law on religion, the Provisions on Religious Affairs, took effect March 1. Some believed the new law would lead to less restriction on unregistered churches, but these large-scale raids and arrests seem to show otherwise.

The raided house churches are not all part of the same group, and are not affiliated with any of China's major house church networks. They are independent house churches with thousands of believers who choose not to register their Christian activities with the Communist government.

One church leader who was held for 15 days and then released told VOM contacts that he and the churches he leads had been asked three times in recent months to join the government-sanctioned Three Self Patriotic Movement (TSPM), but had refused. The TSPM is the state-approved Protestant organization. TSPM churches must meet in a government-approved location, have a government-approved church leader, and are prohibited from allowing children under 18 to attend church meetings.

"We urge Christians around the world to protest these illegal detentions", said Nettleton. "These Christians are NOT a threat to the Chinese government and they have NOT committed a crime. It's time for China to live up to the commitments and treaties it has signed on religious freedom".

Letters of protest can be sent to the Chinese Embassy in Washington DC at the following address:
Ambassador Yang Jiechi
Embassy of the People's Republic of China
2300 Connecticut Ave NW
Washington DC 20008
Tel:(202) 328-2500 Fax:(202) 588-0032
Director of Religious Affairs: (202) 328-2512


Those wishing to write letters of encouragement to imprisoned Chinese Christians can do so at www.prisoneralert.com.

_________________
"The conversion of the entire population to Islam and the extinction of every form of dissent is the ideal of the Muslim State - This is Islamic Peace"

A moderate Moslem is one who sends others blow themselves up.

CAA Leader Asked to Leave During UNCHR General Assembly
April 11, 2005


China Aid Association Leader Asked to Leave During UNCHR General Assembly on Religious Intolerance

CAA (Geneva, United Nations)

On April 5, 2005, Bob Fu, president of China Aid Association as well as a China Analyst for VOM and a professor in the Persecuted Church Ministry Program at Oklahoma Wesleyan University appeared before the UN general assembly.

During his speech, with previous agreement from both the Commission secretary office and the UN security guards, Fu displayed and demonstrated an electric-shock baton recently smuggled out of China. The baton was made in China and used by the Chinese police and interrogators to torture victims of religious victims. However, the Chinese delegate immediately registered a complaint to UNCHR that the electric baton made them "feel threatened".

Fu's UN badge and the electric baton were taken away by the UN security officials without giving any explanation. Fu was then ordered to leave the UN complex immediately.

Meanwhile, according to sources present at the meeting, Chinese delegates used the plenary floor attacking the meeting's sponsor, UN human rights consultant, A Woman's Voice International and threatening to shut up all the non-governmental organizations (NGOs).

China is now demanding an apology from AWVI and Bob Fu.

CAA is imploring the UN security officials concerning the impolite treatment of Fu and is demanding the immediate return of Fu's legal UN badge and his personal property-the electric baton.

For the first time in the history of the United Nations, the oppressed Chinese house church leader speaks to the general assembly of the UNCHR in the UN headquarters in Geneva. Fu made the intervention speech at the plenary floor by highlighting three major cases of religious intolerance and torture in China:

Pastor Cai Zhuohua from Beijing, was arrested September 11, 2004, by National Security operatives, for printing "illegal religious literature". Cai's wife, Xiao Yunfei was also arrested November 27, 2004. According to a recently released fellow inmate, Pastor Cai was repeatedly tortured by electric shocks and was forced to falsely confess, which could lead to a ten to fifteen year prison sentence under the current criminal code. The Chinese government has repeatedly threatened his attorney not to defend him.

Pastor Gong Shengliang was sentenced to life in prison October 10, 2002, by the Court Hubei Province. He is now being held at Section Four, Te Yi Hao, Miaoshan Development Zone, Jiangxia District, Wuhan City, Hubei Province. This case involved the arrest and sentencing of many women of Pastor Gong's church who were tortured into falsely accusing Gong of rape.

According to eyewitness reports, Gong's mental and physical health has suffered due to the harsh treatment in prison.

Mr. Chen Jingmao, age 74, of Chongqing City, was sentenced October 10, 2002, to four years in prison for sending his granddaughter to a Bible class training school. Chen is now being held in Sanxia Prison, Chongqing City. He is reported to be in very poor health and will die in prison if he is not released soon.

CAA states that though China has amended its constitution to protect human rights, these three cases exemplify both the arbitrary nature of what passes for justice in the People's Republic of China and the sad state of religious freedom there.

CAA calls upon all Members of this Commission to urge China to release Gong Shengliang, Cai Zhuohua and Chen Jingmao without delay.

Bob Fu further asked the Commission to hold China accountable for upholding the freedoms of thought, conscience, religion and belief for all its citizens.

Finally, CAA president Bob Fu called upon the Commission to use all the tools at its disposal to convince China to cooperate with UN mechanisms and to desist from persecuting religious minorities.

"It's unbelievable that the torturers demands apology from the representative of the tortured religious minority", said Bob Fu, "I urge UNCHR not to bow down to the pressure from a bullying China delegation".
_________________
"The conversion of the entire population to Islam and the extinction of every form of dissent is the ideal of the Muslim State - This is Islamic Peace"

A moderate Moslem is one who sends others blow themselves up.

China Aid Association (CAA) reports that more than 210 Chinese house-church pastors and believers have been arrested in Hubei, Hebei and Henan provinces since July 2005. It also states that two tourists were mistreated when arrested in Hubei province. On August 2nd, while two American theological students were preparing to have Christian fellowship with 41 Chinese house-church pastors and believers at their host family's home in Hubei province, approximately 30 Chinese plain-clothed police officers rushed into the house. One student sustained injuries to his wrists after being handcuffed because he wanted to put his shoes on before he was forced into an unmarked police car. They were neither permitted to contact the U.S. Embassy nor permitted to show their U.S. passports and other identification cards. They were released at 5:00 p.m. following a seven-hour interrogation. Some of their belongings, including their personal Bibles, notebooks and books on Westminster Confession of Faith were confiscated. The same day 41 Chinese pastors and believers from the evangelical South China Church were taken to prison. At the time of this report, 30 had been released. The remaining 11, including 38-year-old Ms. Wang Hua and 32-year-old Ms. Wang Xiao, as well as the hostess, Ms. Ren Daoyun, are still in prison. According to eyewitness reports, many of them were tortured. Sixty-year-old Ms. Ren has been repeatedly beaten by Mr. Lei Youxin, the director of the prison. He kicked her, punched her face, and beat her head against the wall with a prison chair. (Click here)

Pray God will continue to bless the people of China with a hunger for His Word. Pray they will know His presence as they are bold in sharing their faith. Pray publicity concerning the two American students will expose the reality of religious persecution in China.

_________________
"The conversion of the entire population to Islam and the extinction of every form of dissent is the ideal of the Muslim State - This is Islamic Peace"

A moderate Moslem is one who sends others blow themselves up.

On August 16th, beloved house-church pastor Allen Yuan was whisked from his earthly life into eternal life with Christ. In 1946, with the help of a Norwegian pastor, Allen Yuan started a church in a rented hall and every year saw some 20 to 50 people come to Christ and be baptized. In 1950, after Mao Tse-Tung came to power and began the communist regime, a number of church leaders met with Premier Zhou En Lai, and the Three-Self Patriotic Movement (TSPM) was born. It continues today as a government instrument that seeks to control religious life and inhibit evangelism. Allen Yuan was among 11 preachers who refused to join the TSPM; and in 1955, they were all put in prison. Allen Yuan, who was 46 at the time, was given a life sentence. He was sent to a labor camp near the Russian border, where it was very cold, the food was bad, and the work was hard; but during his 22-year sentence, he was never sick. In prison he had no Bible, and there were no other Protestant Christians. His wife suffered untold hardships in bringing up their children. After his release in 1979, he continued to be encouraged by Psalm 27 as he went through all kinds of difficulties and threats created by government officials and the police. (Click here)

Give thanks to God for the example of this faithful servant who is now in the presence of his Savior. Pray his life story will continue to inspire and encourage Christians all over the world. Pray the witness of Christians like Allen Yuan will draw authorities in China into a relationship with Christ.

_________________
"The conversion of the entire population to Islam and the extinction of every form of dissent is the ideal of the Muslim State - This is Islamic Peace"

A moderate Moslem is one who sends others blow themselves up.

Two recent news releases from China Aid Association (CAA) document a shocking escalation of persecution in China. There seems to be a direct correlation between increasing Russian-Chinese-Central Asian solidarity and growing persecution of unsanctioned Protestant Christians in those states. China is systematically strengthening its assault on "cults" (which includes house churches.) On July 7th, Pastor Cai Zhuohua faced court in Beijing charged with "illegal business operations" for printing more than 200,000 Bibles and other Christian books. (As they were given away and not sold, there was no "business.") He is in prison awaiting sentence. Two women, Ms. Gu Junging (38) and Ms. Ren Daoyun (60) are still in prison following the detention and interrogation of two American students and 43 Chinese believers whom Ms. Ren Daoyun had hosted in her home. Mr. Song Jun, Mr. He Jiangwei and Ms. Liang Fanglan are still held incommunicado following a house-church raid in Xinjiang province on August 7th. On August 15th, five American church leaders were arrested in Jiangxi province along with 27 house-church pastors. The group had simply been enjoying Christian fellowship together. Where they are being detained is not known, but God knows, therefore, we will confidently and dependently approach his "throne of grace" (Hebrews 4:16).

Give thanks to God for these courageous Christians who know God is in control and will work all to His glory. Pray the Lord will grant them mercy and grace in their time of great need. Pray the supernatural grace of China's persecuted believers will convict their persecutors and the Holy Spirit will bring sweeping revival to all of China

_________________
"The conversion of the entire population to Islam and the extinction of every form of dissent is the ideal of the Muslim State - This is Islamic Peace"

A moderate Moslem is one who sends others blow themselves up.

On September 25th, Chinese Christian Zhang Yi-nan was released from the Ping Ding Shan City Bailou Labor Camp in Henan province, China. Zhang's wife, Ding Guizhen, and their son, Zhang Kairi, were waiting for him at the steel gate of the prison camp but were not immediately allowed to welcome him home. Zhang had completed two years of laojiao-"re-education through labor"-before being escorted out of the camp by 10 policemen. Instead of being taken immediately home, he was first taken to the Lushan County Police Station where he was "instructed" about what he should not tell or do following his release. Police reportedly told him that he was "very defiant," because he wouldn't admit his "mistakes"-choosing to be a Christian and to be a part of an unregistered house church. He was finally allowed to go home with his wife and son in the early afternoon. When he arrived home, one of his first activities was to watch the video documentary, The Cross: Jesus in China. (Click here)

Give joyful thanks to God for the release of our brother in Christ. Thank Him for Zhang's faithful, persevering witness to his Savior. Pray God will protect him and his family from officials who don't realize they are battling a Power much greater than they.

_________________
"The conversion of the entire population to Islam and the extinction of every form of dissent is the ideal of the Muslim State - This is Islamic Peace"

A moderate Moslem is one who sends others blow themselves up.

State security agents threatened Christian businessman, Tong Qimiao, while he was being hospitalized for a broken chest bone, caused by brutal torture. The agents showed Mr. Tong China Aid Association's news release on his case and forced him to write a statement that he was never beaten during interrogation. The officials of the Bureau of Industry and Commerce also showed up at the emergency room and threatened him that his license would be revoked unless he cooperated with the state security agents. Mr. Tong Qimiao was so seriously beaten by the state security agents on September 30th that his chest bone was broken. Reliable sources told CAA that Mr. Tong and his family would not give in and they would file a lawsuit against the agents. "We are shocked by what happened to Mr. Tong, and it is even more inhumane and barbarian that this happened in the hospital," said Bob Fu, President of China Aid Association. "This kind of case happens as the Chinese government is ambitiously developing the Western region. We urge the Chinese government to take exact steps to protect people's freedom of religion, which is enshrined in the Constitution of the People's Republic of China."

Pray God will work out His justice in this case. Pray the Lord will heal Mr. Tong quickly. Pray international publicity concerning Mr. Tong's treatment will bring an end to China's persecution of Christians.

_________________
"The conversion of the entire population to Islam and the extinction of every form of dissent is the ideal of the Muslim State - This is Islamic Peace"

A moderate Moslem is one who sends others blow themselves up.

Although China allows "belief" in a religion, the Chinese constitution does not guarantee the right to practice that religion. Adults often face severe consequences for religious actions but generally are not required to deny their faith. However, officials attempt to weaken children's faith by encouraging them to deny Jesus altogether. According to Open Doors, Public Security Bureau officers recently burst into a Sunday school room and herded 30 children into a van. Despite the scary situation, one child started singing. The van soon was filled with song. Upon arrival at the police station, the children marched bravely into the interrogation room still singing to the Lord. Threatened with having to write "I do not believe in Jesus" 100 times before they would be released, the children instead wrote: "I believe in Jesus today. I will believe in Jesus tomorrow. I will believe in Jesus forever!" Exasperated, officials called the children's parents, some of whom denied Christ. When a widowed believer came to pick up her twin sons, she refused to deny Jesus. The officers threatened her: "If you do not deny Jesus, we will not release your sons!" The widow replied, "Well, I guess you will just have to keep them, because without Jesus, there would be no way for me to take care of them!" With no avenues left open to them, the officials said, "Take your sons and go!"

Give thanks and praise to God for the faithful witness of these children. Pray the light of their faith will brighten the spiritual darkness around them. Pray God will continue to strengthen them as they face the pressures of adulthood.

_________________
"The conversion of the entire population to Islam and the extinction of every form of dissent is the ideal of the Muslim State - This is Islamic Peace"

A moderate Moslem is one who sends others blow themselves up.

Pastor Cai Zhuohua and two other Christians found guilty of "illegal business practices" have dropped plans to appeal their conviction. According to a China Aid Association (CAA) report, a clerk from Haidian District People's Court visited Cai at the Qinghe detention center and warned him his sentence would be increased if he "annoyed" the judges with an appeal. This decision came as President Bush began an eight-day tour of Asia, including a visit to China November 19th to 21st. In a speech made in Japan, he urged China to open the door to more political and religious freedoms.

Pray God will thwart the plans of Chinese authorities to stop an appeal, using the time these men are imprisoned to bring many to salvation through faith in Jesus. Pray they will know His presence with them every moment. Pray the faith and witness of China's underground Christians will be like molten lava to rise up and cover the whole country.

_________________
"The conversion of the entire population to Islam and the extinction of every form of dissent is the ideal of the Muslim State - This is Islamic Peace"

A moderate Moslem is one who sends others blow themselves up.

When Chinese house-church historian Zhang Yinan applied for a passport, in order to attend a prayer breakfast in Washington this month, police immediately surrounded his house and followed his wife to the hospital where she works as a nurse. Zhang, 50, was arrested on September 26, 2003, and imprisoned for two years on charges of "attempting to subvert the national government." He was released last September, but the Lushan County Police Bureau has retained his personal documents, including his identity card, making it impossible for him to travel. Police in Henan used Zhang’s personal prayer journals as evidence to accuse him of trying to overthrow the government. Zhang recently demanded the return of these journals and other documents, but police officer Li Haitao, Zhang’s chief interrogator, refused. When asked for an explanation, Li said he had to continue studying the journals to find any other incriminating evidence against Zhang.

Pray Zhang will hold fast his faith and witness to the lordship of Jesus Christ. Pray God will give Zhang His mind-boggling spirit of love toward the officials who are harassing him. Pray Li Haitao will actually read Zhang’s journals and be drawn to the One who is calling him.

_________________
"The conversion of the entire population to Islam and the extinction of every form of dissent is the ideal of the Muslim State - This is Islamic Peace"

A moderate Moslem is one who sends others blow themselves up.

Thirty-six house-church leaders, school students and the students' teachers were taken into custody in a raid on Wednesday, March 1st. They were released the evening of that same day, shortly after CAA called for their release. However, the 10,000 copies of the unlawfully confiscated Christian literature were not returned. Instead, they were given to a government committee, which will rule whether or not they are illegal literature. The released students continued their classes the next day. CAA also learned that a top provincial Public Security Bureau (PSB) official who directs the crackdown campaign decided to grant the release after increased international pressure.

Give thanks to God that these innocent believers are free. Give praise to the Lord for the work of China Aid Association in responding quickly to the plight of our Christian brothers and sisters. Pray God will use the literature to bring the Chinese officials out of the desert land of unbelief into His glorious Kingdom.

_________________
"The conversion of the entire population to Islam and the extinction of every form of dissent is the ideal of the Muslim State - This is Islamic Peace"

A moderate Moslem is one who sends others blow themselves up.

The first trial of the 17 top leaders from a Chinese religious group ended March 3rd, after three-and-a-half days. Inhumane torture, including sexual abuse, was revealed by some defendants during the court trial. CAA learned from a government source that only one relative of each of the 17 defendants was allowed to attend the hearing. One defendant, Mr. Xu, immediately revoked his so-called "confession papers" as soon as the court finished reading the prosecutors interrogation records. He said the listed confessions were signed under enormous torture, when "I would rather die than live." He was hung in the air for five hours after sleep deprivation for five days and nights. Some self-claimed "torture experts" tied his fingers, toes and genitals with wire and then connected the wire to electricity. One defendant was hung in the air with a very thick blanket and then electrified after he got extremely wet. Mr. Xu's daughter, Ms. Xu Baiyin, described her father as "calm and peaceful." "In his final remark, he urged everyone in the court to believe in Jesus; otherwise, they will one day face eternal judgments in heaven. He also urged his children to continue to follow Christ without fear." Government sources have said Xu and at least three co-defendants will be sentenced to death.

Give thanks to God for these faithful followers of Jesus who are trusting in His power to sustain them. Pray that as Christians around the world petition the Chinese government and lift these believers in fervent prayer, God will have mercy on them, not only sparing their lives, but also releasing them from further prison time. Pray their witness of calm peace will move the hearts of all who watched them during this trial and authorities will come to know the One who is seeking them before it is too late.

_________________
"The conversion of the entire population to Islam and the extinction of every form of dissent is the ideal of the Muslim State - This is Islamic Peace"

A moderate Moslem is one who sends others blow themselves up.

CAA learned 24 house-church leaders are still missing following a police raid on a house-church leader's meeting in Henan province. According to an eyewitness report, at noon on March 13th, a number of public security officials raided a house-church meeting at Wen county, Henan province. Eighty Chinese house-church leaders from different counties of Henan province were attending a co-workers' meeting. All of the leaders were then taken into custody after the police searched their bodies and confiscated the cash on them. While 36 from Wen county were released within 24 hours, 24 of those from other counties are still missing. None of their whereabouts are known. Last week CAA also released a Defense Statement prepared by the defense lawyers of a controversial religious group leader, Xu Shuangfu. Xu Shuangfu stated he had sustained an extortion of confession by severe torture, including denial of sleep for long periods and pouring hot pepper, gasoline and ginger juice into his nostrils. He was hung for long periods with his armed stretched and bound, shocked with electricity applied to copper wires bound around his extremities and hit with clubs on a helmet worn on his head. After seven days and nights of severe torture, he finally confessed to the unsubstantiated charges of authorizing the killing of members of the Eastern Lightning sect.

Pray the 24 Christians still in custody will know the comfort of Jesus' presence. Pray they will be released soon. Pray Xu Shuangfu will remember the apostle Peter and know Jesus' love and forgiveness.

_________________
"The conversion of the entire population to Islam and the extinction of every form of dissent is the ideal of the Muslim State - This is Islamic Peace"

A moderate Moslem is one who sends others blow themselves up.

A major Chinese house-church leader was scheduled for a potentially decisive court hearing April 6th, after more than 16 months in police custody. Zhang Rongliang was arrested by Henan police without charges on December 1, 2004. Only months later was he charged with "attaining a passport through cheating" and with "illegal border crossing." Chinese authorities often deny passports to well-known house-church leaders. Health problems such as diabetes and high blood pressure have grown worse while he has been in custody. Previously, Zhang had been detained five times and spent a total of 12 years in prison for his religious activities. "This will be his third hearing," said a co-worker who asked to remain anonymous. "This time I hope the court can make an independent decision based on truth and justice." Although VOM has no further news of the outcome of this trial, we are concerned for Zhang's welfare.

Pray God will soften the hearts of the authorities to release this innocent man with serious health problems. Pray Zhang's faith will continue to inspire the millions of members of the house churches he led. Pray those who attend the trial will seek the One who has given Zhang so much peace in the midst of suffering.

_________________
"The conversion of the entire population to Islam and the extinction of every form of dissent is the ideal of the Muslim State - This is Islamic Peace"

A moderate Moslem is one who sends others blow themselves up.