Source: www.ChinaAid.org
Date: December 13, 2023
Xunsiding Church in Xiamen is an absolutely incredible testimony to how the Gospel thrives and spreads amid persecution.
With a heritage of over a century, Xunsiding Church is Xiamen's largest house church.
Pastor Yang Xibo and his wife Wang Xiaofei have empowered members to plant other Gospel-centered churches, nurtured disciples for Jesus Christ, and helped establish Christian schools.
Sadly, Communist officials have tried their very best to crush Pastor Wang and his wife with oppressive persecution.
In essentially an unprecedented move that's a testimony to the Communist Party's cruelty - Pastor Yang and Wang owe a total of 450,000 Yuan in fines.
That's about $63,000 in fines just for being a Christian and for their work as faithful leaders of Xunsiding Church!
Years of appeals ever since both were fined for "organizing an illegal gathering" in July 2021 have gone nowhere. Courts even cruelly doubled the fine for these Christians earlier this year!
Unfortunately, Chinese officials often 'save' their worst persecution for the end of the year as they assume the Western Body of Christ and human rights defenders are distracted by the holidays.
And we just heard that Pastor Yang and Wang were summoned to court on December 6th for an inquiry. They're already being pressured to report their assets and pay the fine and have already had their travel abilities restricted.
As we wait for further news - your partnership with ChinaAid plays such a valuable role in standing with Pastor Yang and Wang with the flexibility to serve and support them during this uncertain time as we wait for more news that will guide their next decision.
Please join me in interceding for Pastor Yang and Wang as they've endured many years of persecution. May the Lord's grace and mercy bring breakthrough and a miracle for their case. May the hearts of their persecutors be touched by Jesus Christ!
Thank you for your partnership with Pastor Yang & Wang as they face fines of more than $63,000.
Serving the persecuted with you,
Bob Fu, ChinaAid President