In August 2021, four house church leaders were arrested for allegedly carrying out “illegal business operations” in relation to their work at the Jordan River Learning Centre which is a house church affiliated with Mount Carmel Church in Wuhu, Anhui State. To find out more about this case, click on this link : https://gosheninternational.org/china-pray-for-christian-teachers/.
Two of the four leaders were subsequently released on bail in late February the following year, whilst the other two, Wang Minhai and Wan Hongxia remain in custody. Wang, a gastroenterologist who donated his time and money to assist the school, and Wan, principal of the learning centre, were later formally charged pending trial in November 2022. Both claim that they did not break the law and have rejected all charges against them.
According to a report from ChinaAid, both Wang and Wan were released from prison on 13th January 2023. According to fellow prisoners, both leaders were referred to as “great joyful witnesses of the Lord” while in prison.
We thank and praise God for their release and for their faithful witness for the Lord whilst in prison. We pray that their legal troubles will be fully resolved and they will be able to resume their ministry activities without further harassment from the authorities.
Pray for other believers who remain in prison because of their faith in Christ. Pray that God will strengthen and comfort them and their families. Pray that they will not lose hope but will remain firm in their faith.
