Source: www.ChinaAid.org
Date: February 13, 2021
Chen Wensheng and his 84-year-old mother.
(Photo: ChinaAid Resource)
(Hengyang, Hunan Province—Feb. 12, 2021) Since January 1, Hengyang police have detained Brother Chen Wensheng, a Christian from Heyang, Hunan Province, twice for sharing the gospel in the street. For his first detention on January 1 (#0001 of 2021), as China’s first detained messenger of the gospel in 2021, Brother Chen spent 10 days in the detention center. When officers released him, however, Brother Chen started sharing the gospel in the street again—this time with his 84-year-old mother.
Brother Chen's mother gives gospel booklets to people on the street.
(Photo: ChinaAid Resource)
After transporting Brother Chen and his mother to the Hengyang police station, officials released Brother Chen's mother at 11 pm. Authorities detained him for 15 more days, making this the fourth time officers had detained him during the past four months. Brother Chen has repeatedly said that he wants to spread the gospel to the police and prison officials. Regarding his detention, he posted on his WeChat Moment: "Hallelujah! Thank You, Lord—for your grace and blessing.”
Chen Wensheng’s first detention notice in 2021.
(Photo: ChinaAid Resource)
Chen Wensheng’s second detention notice in 2021.
(Photo: ChinaAid Resource)
On January 29, two days after police released Brother Chen from detention, Chinese Communist Party (CCP) government officials from Hengyang's urban management department, community management office, public security department, national security agency, and united front work department, visited him at his home. During the visit which lasted until midnight, several CCP officials tried to persuade Brother Chen to stop spreading the gospel in the street. Instead of convincing him, however, Brother Chen seized the opportunity to share the gospel with the officials.
Government officials visit Chen Wensheng at his home.
(Photo: ChinaAid Resource)
One official collecting information unexpectedly, politely posed questions about the Bible to Brother Chen, including: “May I ask...?”
For more than 10 years prior to Brother Chen becoming a Christian, his drug addiction kept him imprisoned. Now, sometimes alone, at times with other Christians on the street as well as in the downtown area, he shares the gospel. Because Jesus died on the cross to give eternal life and free those who believe in Him from sin... because of the gospel, Brother Chen stresses, he became free from drugs.
Clothing Christian friend gave Brother Chen and his wife.
(Photo: ChinaAid Resource)
Recently, a Christian friend gave Brother Chen and his wife a "couple clothing suit" with the English verse embroidered on sleeves, “Moses built an altar and called it 'The Lord is my Banner'" (Exodus 17:15) which means, "I triumph with the help of Jesus." A barcode below the verse reveals the Chinese word "triumph." When scanned, the message appears, "He prayed: 'God, please help us triumph over the evil of the world.'"
As he typically holds a cross with statements proclaiming “Glorious Savior...” and “Repent... Trust... Saved...” on it, police have transported Brother Chen to the local station so often that most Hengyang police officers and detention center officials know him by name. Each time a police officer arrests him, Brother Chen smiles and reminds that person, "Jesus loves you. God bless you. I will go with you.” When released, he thanks and blesses those around him.
Regardless of warnings, threats, and detentions police deliver to try to stop him from sharing the gospel, Brother Chen does not plan to stop.
Even if imprisoned, Brother Chen said, "I have made up my mind to proclaim the gospel—even in prison.
Report by Yubing, ChinaAid Special Correspondent
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Preach the word!
Be ready in season and out of season.
Convince, rebuke, exhort,
with all longsuffering and teaching.
~ 2 Timothy 4:2 (NKJV)
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