Source: www.ChinaAid.org
Date: May 27, 2022
 |
| Early Rain couple Zhang Qiang and Xiao Yue finally married despite police harassment (Photo: ChinaAid source) |
(Chengdu, Sichuan province—May 27, 2022) Zhang Qiang and Xiao Yue, congregants of Early Rain Covenant Church, finally got married even after several sabotage attempts from local authorities.
The couple had to pick another venue for their wedding after Chengdu Municipal police canceled their wedding twice. They moved their wedding to May 24, 7:30 PM, but the owner of the wedding venue had to cancel their reservation because of pressure from the police. Christians of the church helped Zhang Qiang and Xiao Yue find a wedding venue in Wenjiang, so they tentatively rescheduled their wedding to the afternoon of May 24. Minister Dai Zhichao, who was supposed to officiate the wedding, could not make it because he was surveilled by national security officers. Elder Li Yingqiang could not attend for the same reason, so he and Dai Zhichao joined online. Dai Zhichao officiated, and Elder Li Yingqiang opened the ceremony with prayer. Police threatened Zhang Qiang and Xiao Yue not to let the church host their wedding, but the newlyweds said that they were determined.
The couple went to multiple cities including Bidu, Dayi, Wuhou, and Wenjiang in the past few days. Dai Zhichao said that God was chasing the couple:
They may be certain that it is God who has been chasing them for 10 or 20 years. They will realize that their past is like living in a concentration camp filled with death, lies, and malice. However, they now witness the real, authentic love God has for each of them.
Many people were amazed by the couple’s faith.
Dai Zhichao shared other remarks for the newlyweds:
Marriage is set by God for the sake of humans’ happiness and God’s glory. It is holy and demonstrates the relationship between our Lord and his wife—Church. Therefore, Brother Zhang Qiang and Sister Xiao Yue should attend to the teaching from the Bible. Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her. Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord.
 |
| Dai Zhichao officiated online due to police surveillance (Photo: ChinaAid source) |
Zhang Qiang and Xiao Yue made their vows in front of God and the church that they would be loyal to each other and love each other, for better for worse, for richer or for poor, in sickness and in health. Then they exchanged rings. Deacon Ge Yingfeng and his wife—Li Bing— signed their marriage certificate as their witness. The church gave Zhang Qiang and Xiao Yue their marriage certificate, announcing that the couple made their covenant before God and are now husband and wife.
 |
| Ge Yingfeng and Li Bing blessed the newlyweds (Photo: ChinaAid source) |
Few congregants of Early Rain Covenant Church could attend the wedding in person due to police obstruction, but the entire wedding was filled with God’s presence and grace.
~Yu Bing, ChinaAid Special Reporter
ChinaAid exposes abuses in order to stand in solidarity with the persecuted and promote religious freedom, human rights, and the rule of law. If you wish to partner with us in helping those persecuted by the Chinese government, please click the button below to make a charitable donation.
