Prominent House Church Leader Arrested; VOM, CSW Express Concern
One of the most prominent Protestant house church leaders in China was arrested on Wednesday, Dec. 1, in the midst of a serious crackdown on China’s house churches
One of the most prominent Protestant house church leaders in China was arrested on Wednesday, Dec. 1, in the midst of a serious crackdown on China’s house churches. According to reports released on Friday by persecution watchdog groups Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) and the Voice of the Martyrs (VOM), Pastor Zhang Rongliang, was arrested in a village in the city of Zhengzhou in the Henan Province and is believed to be held incommunicado in the Jinshui area in Zhengzhou.
“We are gravely concerned for Pastor Zhang, especially for his health,” said Stuart Windsor, CSW’s National Director. “In previous detentions the police have shown themselves ruthless in their torture of Pastor Zhang and we fear for his welfare if he is subjected to similar treatment in his current medical condition.”
VOM sources reported that a Volkswagen car allegedly belonging to the Ministry of State Security was seen parked near the apartment prior to the arrest of 53-year-old Zhang in the early afternoon of Dec. 1. Zhang’s wife and children were not at home during the time of the arrest, but sources say the apartment had been searched and all of Zhang’s Christian DVDs, materials and photos revealing relationships with foreigners and foreign agencies had been confiscated.
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On the evening of Dec. 1, reliable sources reported that authorities surrounded the village and searched every house. It is believed that Zhang’s wife and children-who are currently in hiding-were targets of the search.
Since then sources say at least three house churches at Fangcheng area were raided, including the house of the parents of Xiao Min-who has been sought by the authorities because of her prolific writing of Chinese worship songs known as “Canaan Hymns.” During the period after Zhang’s disappearance, Gao Shunping, who helped Zhang get an ID so that he could travel, was also reported missing.
VOM reports that there has been no communication with Zhang since his arrest, but it is believed that he is in custody in the Zheng Zhou area of Henan Province.
Zhang, well known by the international community as one of the house church patriarchs, is the leader of the Fangcheng Mother Church in Henan and the leader of the China for Christ Church-one of the largest house church networks in China, estimated to have more than 10 million members. Zhang is also co-author of the House Churches of China’s Confession of Faith and Declaration, which was published in 1999. He has been featured in a number of international articles and books, including “Jesus in Beijing” (2003) by former TIME journalist David Aikman, Newsweek (12th May 2004), TIME magazine, Charisma and Christianity Today.
Since his baptism in 1969, Zhang has already spent twelve years in prison for his faith over the course of five separate detentions. He experienced harsh torture, including electric shocks, during his prison terms.
CSW says there is particular concern for Zhang's welfare and safety, especially as he suffers from serious diabetes, which would affect his ability to withstand the cruelty that can be expected in detention. VOM expressed similar concern.
“We are very concerned for our Christian brother, Pastor Zhang, who has suffered from diabetes for five years,” said Todd Nettleton, VOM Director of News Services.
VOM sources fear that Zhang could be in for harsh treatment by police. “As the leader of a large house-church network, he could be classified as an evil cult leader,” VOM reported. “Police are also seeking Zhang’s two sons, and could put pressure on him to give information about them and about the activities of other church leaders.”
According to VOM, Zhang’s arrest comes in the midst of a serious crackdown on China’s house churches. In addition to a generally worsening situation and increased arrests, it is reported that there is now a “disinformation campaign”, similar to that used against the Falun Gong movement before the major crackdown against them.
“In recent weeks, the Chinese government has launched an international media propaganda campaign,” VOM reported. “It was reflected from articles both in an overseas pro-China website called DUOWEI news and the New York Times. The articles portrayed house churches as secret religious fanatics who even commit murder in the fight for new membership.”
VOM says it is believed that the Chinese government purposely provided misleading and untrue information to news outlets by linking the house church with a criminal group disguised as religion called Eastern Lightning.
Nettleton notes, however, that “Christians in China love their country; they pray for their government leaders.”
“They simply ask for the right to worship God as they see fit,” Nettleton added. “We urge Christians around the world to pray for Pastor Zhang and other Christians in China, and to protest to the Chinese government.”
CSW is also calling for international attention to be drawn to Zhang's case and for the Chinese authorities to disclose Zhang's exact whereabouts, provide medical care and release him as a matter of urgency.
“We call upon the international community to raise a strong cry for his protection and immediate release,” Windsor stated. “Pastor Zhang is being targeted solely for his religious activities and his arrest is part of the pattern of serious abuse of religious freedom by the governing authorities of the country. We call upon China to make good her assertions of religious freedom and release Pastor Zhang without delay - both on grounds of justice and in light of his medical condition.”
Letters of protest can be sent to the Chinese Embassy in Washington DC at the following address:
Ambassador Yang Jiechi
Embassy of the People’s Republic of China
2300 Connecticut Ave NW,
Washington DC 20008
Tel:(202) 328-2500 Fax:(202) 588-0032
Director of Religious Affairs: (202) 328-2512
