It’s been nearly a year since Early Rain Church in China last saw their pastor, Wang Yi. Arrested along with over 100 church members in December 2018, Pastor Wang has been in detention ever since. He was targeted for peacefully speaking up for churches and Christians who were being harassed by the government.
Despite experiencing an incredibly difficult year, Early Rain Church perseveres. And while several church members remain behind bars, others, including Pastor Wang’s wife Jiang Rong, have been released on bail. In a statement on Facebook in July, a member of the church wrote:
“We thank God for leading us through these trials and allowing us to share in this calling…We also thank God for giving [us] so many brothers and sisters with obedient and steadfast hearts. As many churches within God’s kingdom of grace suffer with us, he has shown them that ‘it is good…to share in our trouble.’ (Phil. 4:14) We have experienced God’s wonderful promises, faithfulness, and comfort… We do this for the faith.”
Messages of hope
While Early Rain Church is sending their message of endurance to the outside world, CSW supporters have been sending them messages of hope and support. Almost 400 cards have been sent to the CSW offices, both online and by post, so that we can pass them on. If you’ve written to Pastor Wang Yi and his church, thank you so much. Your support is a huge encouragement to them.
My Declaration of Faithful Disobedience
Foreseeing the targeting of his church and his own arrest, Pastor Wang Yi wrote a declaration to be published by his church should he be detained for more than 48 hours. We reproduce an extract of his letter below, with thanks to China Partnership and their team of translators who have given their time to make Pastor Wang’s words public.
“Separate me from my wife and children, ruin my reputation, destroy my life and my family – the authorities are capable of doing all of these things. However, no one in this world can force me to renounce my faith. Regardless of what crime the government charges me with, whatever filth they fling at me, as long as this charge is related to my faith, my writings, my comments, and my teachings, it is merely a lie and temptation of demons. I categorically deny it. I will serve my sentence, but I will not serve the law. I will be executed, but I will not plead guilty. Regardless of which regime I live under now or in the future, as long as the secular government continues to persecute the church, violating human consciences that belong to God alone, I will continue my faithful disobedience. Jesus is the Christ, son of the eternal, living God. He died for sinners and rose to life for us. He is my king and the king of the whole earth yesterday, today, and forever. I am his servant, and I am imprisoned because of this.”
With thanks to China Partnership. Statement taken from chinapartnership.org/blog/2018/12/my-declaration-of-faithful-disobedience, translated by Amy, Brent
Anima
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