(Xi’an, Shaanxi Province – August 21, 2024) August 16, 2024 marks the second anniversary of the Xi’an Church of Abundance case. The church reveals that lawyers and family members have been repeatedly denied requests to meet with the judge, and the court has neither held a trial nor released the detainees. Pastor Lian Xuliang’s wife, Zhang Jun, said: “It’s been two years. We find joy in sorrow, look up in helplessness, and hope in patience. May the Lord’s days and will be fulfilled!”
Xi’an Church of Abundance is one of the largest churches under the “Chinese Gospel Fellowship” in China’s house church network. On August 17, 2022, the church was raided. The Shilipu Police Station in Xi’an detained Pastor Lian Changnian, his son Pastor Lian Xuliang, and co-worker Fu Juan on suspicion of “fraud,” placing them under residential surveillance at a designated location. The three were secretly held in a government-designated place. During this time, they reportedly endured torture including starvation, beatings, forced administration of unknown drugs, and long periods without access to toilets.
Meanwhile, police summoned Christians from the church, using both soft and hard tactics to pressure them to betray and frame their pastors, attempting to sow discord between the pastors and believers. They portrayed the Christians’ regular donations to the church as fraud by the pastors and instigated Christians to accuse the pastors of fraud. They also spread rumors of corruption within the church. However, many of those identified by the police as “victims” stated that their money was donated to God and they were not defrauded by the pastors. One Christian named Qin Wen even hired a lawyer to prove she was not a victim.
Yesterday’s prayer request letter stated that Xi’an Church of Abundance has been established for over 30 years and is now facing persecution, with pastors and preachers detained for two years. They are viewed as fraudsters by Xi’an’s public security, procuratorate, and court. The legitimacy of Chinese house churches needs no further elaboration. How many two-year periods are there in a person’s life? Especially for elderly Pastor Lian Changnian in his twilight years, and Pastor Lian Xuliang and Preacher Fu Juan in the prime of their lives. Their lives have been put on pause: wrongfully imprisoned, one unable to peacefully spend his later years, two delayed in their most productive years.
The prayer request letter also revealed new details about the mistreatment of Pastor Lian Changnian, Pastor Lian Xuliang, and co-worker Fu Juan during the residential surveillance at a designated location. For instance, the designated hotel was transformed into several narrow rooms, with a long bench against the wall serving as their living and sleeping area. The three were held separately in such conditions for six months. On February 15, 2023, they were transferred to Xi’an Baqiao Detention Center. On March 22, they were formally arrested, after which they entered a series of procedures involving the procuratorate, repeated returns for further investigation, court, and supplementary materials. Lawyers have repeatedly requested meetings with the judge, but the clerk has consistently informed them that the judge is either in court or in training and unable to meet.
On April 28, 2024, the defense lawyer met with 70-year-old Pastor Lian Changnian at the detention center. They found that his hair had turned completely white from its previous salt-and-pepper state. His face was deeply wrinkled, he appeared depressed and highly tense, with unusual expressions and behaviors. He would alternately support his head with his hand or lower it, speaking very softly, answering only one out of ten questions, and unable to express himself clearly. During the meeting, Pastor Lian stood up suddenly several times, appearing extremely fearful and uneasy. Because of this, family members have repeatedly tried to meet with the judge but have been unsuccessful.
As of now, they have been detained for exactly two years, with the court neither holding a trial nor releasing them. Xi’an Church of Abundance requests prayers, hoping that God’s justice will be revealed in this case.
The post Two years later: Xi’an Church of Abundance case update appeared first on ChinaAid.