{"id":54928,"date":"2025-07-29T14:00:10","date_gmt":"2025-07-29T05:00:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vomkorea.com\/?p=54928"},"modified":"2025-07-29T15:09:00","modified_gmt":"2025-07-29T06:09:00","slug":"vomk-report-358","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vomkorea.com\/en\/2025\/07\/29\/vomk-report-358\/","title":{"rendered":"CHINA: IMPRISONED PASTOR SEEKS TO IMITATE PAUL BY PRAISING GOD LOUDLY AND BLESSING HIS PRISON GUARDS"},"content":{"rendered":"

[vc_section][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”54914″ img_size=”full” css=””][vc_custom_heading text=”A Chinese elder detained since 2021 wrote his family that the Apostle Paul is his model for behavior in prison and that like Paul, he seeks to praise God loudly and bless the prison guards assigned to watch him. ” font_container=”tag:p|font_size:1.2em|text_align:left|color:%23111111″ google_fonts=”font_family:Noto%20Sans%3Aregular%2Citalic%2C700%2C700italic|font_style:700%20bold%20regular%3A700%3Anormal” css=”” el_class=”headline”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=””]According to <\/span>Voice of the Martyrs Korea and its China <\/span>ministry <\/span>partner, US-based China Aid, <\/span>Elder <\/span>Zhang <\/span>Chunlei<\/span> of the Renai <\/span>Reformed <\/span>Church <\/span>in Guiyang, <\/span>Guizhou Province<\/span> sent <\/span>the <\/span>letter from prison to his family<\/span> last month<\/span>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=””]<\/p>\n

\u201cThe letter is filled with ordinary thoughts written right next to extraordinary insights into his situation from a Christian perspective,\u201d says Voice of the Martyrs Korea Representative <\/span>Dr. Hyun Sook <\/span>Foley. \u201cHe tells his family how much he misses them and that they <\/span>don\u2019t<\/span> need to worry about him because \u2018everything is fine in prison, the environment is good, and there are fruits and milk<\/span>\u2019.<\/span> And then right next to those ordinary thoughts he extraordinary insights that come from his time in prayer in prison.\u201d<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”54925″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center” css=””][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=””]According to Representative Foley, one of the insights he shares is how reflecting on Jesus\u2019 helplessness in the Garden of Gethsemane has helped him overcome the \u201c<\/span>uncontrollable sense of injustice\u201d <\/span>that he feels when he thinks about the reason for his imprisonment.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=””]<\/p>\n

\u201c<\/span>Elder<\/span> Zhang writes that he spends time in silent prayer reflecting on Jesus\u2019 suffering on the cross, and this causes him to see his own suffering as, in his words, \u2018<\/span>trivial<\/span>\u2019,<\/span> and this helps him feel \u2018<\/span>ashamed and healed<\/span>\u2019\u201d, says Representative Foley. \u201c<\/span>He quote<\/span>s<\/span> the Apostle Paul’s words<\/span> in 2 Corinthians 11:29<\/span>, <\/span>\u2018<\/span>Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is led astray, and I am not indignant?<\/span>\u2019<\/span>,<\/span> which cause<\/span>s<\/span> him to be amazed at how <\/span>God’s grace is made perfect in weakness<\/span>.\u201d<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=””]Elder <\/span>Zhang is the founder of the Renai Reformed Church in Guiyang. <\/span>Local authorities put him under close<\/span> surveillance in <\/span>2018<\/span> for signing <\/span>the <\/span><\/span>\u201cPastors’ Joint Statement: A Declaration for Christian Faith<\/span><\/span><\/a>\u201d <\/span>initiated<\/span> by Pastor Wang Yi of the <\/span>Early <\/span>Rain Covenant Church in Chengdu, Sichuan<\/span> Province<\/span>.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=””]In<\/span> September 2018, the Ethnic and Religious Affairs Bureau of <\/span>Nanming<\/span> District, Guiyang City, dissolved the Renai Reformed Church on the grounds of \u201cunauthorized establishment of a religious venue, organizing and conducting religious activities, and accepting religious donations.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”54922″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center” css=””][vc_custom_heading text=”Elder Zhang Chunlei (on the right) visits Pastor Huang Xiaoning (on the left)<\/p>\n

November 2020 (File photo: China Aid) ” font_container=”tag:p|font_size:13px|text_align:center|color:%230a0101|line_height:1.45em” css=””][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=””]In <\/span>March 2021, <\/span>authorities raided the <\/span>Renai Reformed Church <\/span>during a worship service. S<\/span>everal <\/span>church members were arrested <\/span>and their homes raided. <\/span>Elder<\/span> Zhang <\/span>went to the police station to inquire about the situation and was <\/span>immediately<\/span> detained<\/span> and later <\/span>subjected to administrative detention and criminal detention. He was later formally arrested on charges of \u201cfraud.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=””]On January 27, 2022, <\/span>Elder<\/span> Zhang <\/span>Chunlei<\/span> was indicted on charges<\/span> of <\/span>\u201cinciting subversion of state power\u201d and \u201cfraud<\/span>\u201d, two charges which Representative Foley says have often been used by Chinese authorities to prosecute and imprison pastors leading churches which are not registered with the Chinese government through the government\u2019s \u201cThree Self Patriotic Association\u201d.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=””]On November 29, 2022, <\/span>Elder <\/span>Zhang\u2019s trial was held<\/span> at the Intermediate People’s Court of Guiyang City.\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=””]<\/p>\n

\u201cThe trial was closed to the public, and <\/span>no witnesses<\/span> were permitted to appear,\u201d says Representative Foley. \u201c<\/span>Elder<\/span> Zhang <\/span>told the court <\/span>that while he had differ<\/span>ent <\/span>opinions <\/span>than the government <\/span>on certain religious policies, he had no motive to incite subversion of state power. <\/span>Regarding<\/span> the charge of <\/span>\u2018<\/span>fraud<\/span>,\u2019<\/span> he pointed out that in this case, none of the so-called \u2018victims\u2019 reported the incident to the police or appeared in court, and no one requested the return of offerings from the church or himself. <\/span>So<\/span> this shows that the fraud charge was inappropriate.\u201d<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=””]On July 24, 2024<\/span>,<\/span> the court sentenced <\/span>Elder<\/span> Zhang to five years in prison, to be served until March 16, 2026.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”54921″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center” css=””][vc_custom_heading text=”Guiyang Renai Reformed Church gathering raided by police (File photo: China Aid)” font_container=”tag:p|font_size:13px|text_align:center|color:%230a0101|line_height:1.45em” css=””][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=””]Representative Foley says that even though <\/span>Elder<\/span> Zhang <\/span>has <\/span>had to endure unfair circumstances in his trial and imprisonment<\/span>, he writes in his letter about wanting to contribute more to his country.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=””]<\/p>\n

\u201c<\/span>Elder<\/span> Zhang <\/span>writes in his <\/span>letter <\/span>about how Christians in China have helped the nation in <\/span>education, healthcare, culture, and charity<\/span>,\u201d says Representative Foley<\/span>. He <\/span>writes that during his time <\/span>in prison, he ha<\/span>s<\/span> been thinking about <\/span>\u2018<\/span>how to do more after being released<\/span>,\u2019<\/span> and <\/span>he asked his family to pray about this, while emphasizing that <\/span>the church <\/span>will always remain his <\/span>foc<\/span>us<\/span>.<\/span>\u201d<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=””]Representative Foley says the letter details the three key words <\/span>Elder<\/span> Zhang has been <\/span>reflecting on in<\/span> prison.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=””]<\/p>\n

\u201cHe writes, \u2018T<\/span>he cross is the focus, the golden lampstand<\/span>\u2019\u2014the church<\/span>\u2014\u2018<\/span>is <\/span>the priority, and the Messiah is everything.<\/span>\u2019<\/span>\u201d<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=””]Individuals interested in learning about or supporting Voice of the Martyrs Korea\u2019s work in partnership with persecuted Christians in China can visit www.vomkorea.com\/en\/china<\/a> or give via electronic transfer to:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

KB Bank: 463501-01-243303<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Account Holder: (<\/span>\uc0ac<\/span>)<\/span>\uc21c\uad50\uc790\uc758\uc18c\ub9ac<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Please note \u201cChina\u201d on the transfer.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/2″][vc_single_image image=”54920″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center” css=””][vc_custom_heading text=”Elder Zhang Chunlei’s letter from prison (page 1) ” font_container=”tag:p|font_size:13px|text_align:center|color:%230a0101|line_height:1.45em” css=””][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/2″][vc_single_image image=”54919″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center” css=””][vc_custom_heading text=”Elder Zhang Chunlei’s letter from prison (page 2) ” font_container=”tag:p|font_size:13px|text_align:center|color:%230a0101|line_height:1.45em” css=””][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][\/vc_section]<\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"[vc_section][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”54914″ img_size=”full” css=””][vc_custom_heading text=”A Chinese elder detained since 2021 wrote his family that the Apostle Paul is his model for behavior in prison and that like Paul, he seeks …","protected":false},"author":659,"featured_media":54913,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"give_campaign_id":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[235,869,140],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-54928","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-special-column","category-china-special","category-vomk-report"],"translation":{"provider":"WPGlobus","version":"3.0.2","language":"en","enabled_languages":["ko","en","zh","ru"],"languages":{"ko":{"title":true,"content":true,"excerpt":false},"en":{"title":true,"content":true,"excerpt":false},"zh":{"title":true,"content":true,"excerpt":false},"ru":{"title":false,"content":false,"excerpt":false}}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/vomkorea.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/54928","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/vomkorea.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/vomkorea.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vomkorea.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/659"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vomkorea.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=54928"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/vomkorea.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/54928\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":54934,"href":"https:\/\/vomkorea.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/54928\/revisions\/54934"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vomkorea.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/54913"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/vomkorea.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=54928"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vomkorea.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=54928"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vomkorea.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=54928"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}