(Mianning, Sichuan Province) Authorities criminally detained disabled pastor Bai Caiming on September 11. The Mianning County Public Security Bureau arrested him for “engaging in illegal Christian activities”.
“Illegal business operations”
According to the criminal detention notice, Bai was arrested for “illegal business operations”. The notice did not specify an end date, suggesting that the pastor may be prosecuted. Bai Caiming’s wife, Dong Shixia, was given a 10-day administrative detention for “non-cooperation” with public security. She returned home on September 19 after her detention. This news was published on September 21 by their daughter Meng’en.
Official notice
Meng’en received the detention notice from the Mianning County Public Security Bureau stating:
According to Article 82 of the Criminal Procedure Law of the People’s Republic of China, our bureau has criminally detained Bai Caiming on September 11, 2024, on suspicion of illegal business operations. He is currently held in the Mianning County Detention Center.
Bai Caiming
Bai Caiming accepted the Christian faith after his mother in 1989. Bai and his wife met at a church gathering. They have been preaching the gospel in the rural area of Ya’an.
In 1998, authorities sent Bai to a labor camp because believers gathered at his home. The “re-education” lasted two and a half years. Bai Caiming adheres to his faith based solely on the Bible, which is upheld by most Chinese house churches. He has no denominational stance and no contact with other churches.
An unnamed church
Due to his familiarity with the Bible, Bai influenced about ten elderly believers around him. They didn’t give this gathering a church name, and none of them could give a financial offering.
Hard times
Bai Caiming has been disabled in his right hand since childhood, which, although not affecting his ability to ride a motorcycle to preach the gospel, still limits his means of survival. He makes a living and supports Meng’en and her brother’s education by collecting waste materials.
Meng’en graduated not long ago and, facing China’s overall economic downturn, was already struggling to find work. Now, due to her father’s situation, she is also unemployed. Her brother is currently in college. Her father’s imprisonment has plunged this already struggling family into poverty. Meng’en expressed that although not wealthy, their family feels rich in Jesus Christ.
Prayer Requests
Meng’en issued three prayer requests:
- Pray for her detained father, Bai Caiming, asking God to watch over and protect him, and may he be strong and courageous to testify for the Lord and bring the gospel to the people in the detention center!
- Pray for the elderly believers in Ya’an, asking God to comfort and strengthen them, giving them faith and hope, not fear or panic.
- Pray for the needed expenses such as hiring a lawyer.
Answered prayers
Meng’en posted the prayer request on Weibo at 9:00 AM. Upon learning this news, Christians generously donated, and within just 8 hours, the lawyer’s fees were fully raised. At 5:00 PM, she posted again to thank everyone.
“In the Lord, we have become one family! I thank all the brothers and sisters for their concern and greetings. God has prepared all the funds, and God remembers your love and contribution!”
ChinaAid will continue to monitor this case and others like it. We urge the Communist Party to stop false imprisonments of Christian pastors like Bai Caiming.
~Ningmeng, Special Correspondent for China Aid
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