CHINA: CCP MOVES TO FULLY SUBJUGATE THE CHURCH
The Chinese Communist Party's (CCP's) new 'Administrative Measures for Religious Clergy' will come into force on 1 May. From then on, all clergy – i.e., those who 'engage in religious teaching activities' - must hold a clergy card as proof they are registered in the national database. To be registered, the religious worker must be identified by a registered CCP-approved church and be willing to 'support the CCP' and be supervised and managed by the CCP's Religious Affairs Department. One evangelist destined to fall foul of the law is Brother Chen Wensheng of Hunan Province. A former drug addict, transformed by Jesus, the irrepressible Brother Chen conducts street evangelism in Hengyang city. Despite the pressure, Chen says, 'I have made up my mind to proclaim the gospel - even in prison.'
MAY GOD OUR FATHER, WHOSE GRACE IS SUFFICIENT,
comfort and encourage all of China's faithful Christian leaders, teachers and evangelists; may the Holy Spirit guide each one personally, so each will know what the LORD and builder of the Church requires of them; may their faith be strengthened with unshakeable assurance that 'he who promised is faithful' (Hebrews 10:23).
PROMISE: 'I am with you always, to the end of the age' (Matthew 28:20).
'The words of the first and the last, who died and came to life. "I know your tribulation ... Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days [i.e. a limited time] you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life".' (From Revelation 2:8-11 ESV)
sustain and encourage Brother Chen Wensheng, a redeemed drug addict and humble evangelist who simply wants others to meet the Saviour who liberated and transformed him; may the self-defeating folly of removing such a man and silencing such a testimony be clear to all. We pray for awakening in Hengyang, a riverside city in need of Living Waters.
For this plus more detail, including images, maps, hyperlinks and archives, see:
Religious Liberty Prayer Bulletin (RLPB) 585. China: CCP moves to fully subjugate the Church (17 Feb 2021).
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UPDATE to RLPB 584 (10 Feb 2021) concerning Ebrahim Firouzi (an severely persecuted Iranian Christian convert whose plight CFF has repeated brought to the attention of the Australian government).
When exiled Christian convert Ebrahim Firouzi (34) presented himself to the prosecutor as requested, he was arrested. Now incarcerated in Chabahar prison, the long-persecuted, ever-faithful Firouzi has commenced a hunger strike. Before his arrest, he told his supporters that he was 'not afraid of being sent back to prison for telling the truth' about persecution and injustice. 'The power of Christ's love for us is such that no power can distract us from what we believe,' he said. 'They may be able to hurt us [physically], but they can't do damage to our souls.' This is brave speech from a man who knows exactly how much the regime can hurt him both physically and emotionally. The regime clearly wants to break him. Ebrahim Firouzi needs our prayers.
