CHINA - Children Arrested for Attending Bible Study

On February 28, 11 children and two adults were detained by Public Security Bureau (PSB) officials while attending a house church Bible study in Qingshihe township, Xinjiang province. According to China Aid Association (CAA), "PSB officials disrupted the gathering and detained the minors along with Ms. Fu Jun, 41, owner of the house and Ms. Lu Lanxiang, 42. The children, ages 16 - 17, were brought to the Qingshihe Township PSB office in freezing weather and were not allowed to bring adequate clothing." The report added, CAA had confirmed PSB officials had imprisoned the believers under the charge of "illegal religious gathering," their wellbeing was unknown and their families had been denied visitation.

Christians in China remain faithful despite the Chinese Communist government's increased persecution in recent months leading up to the Olympics later this summer. The Voice of the Martyrs supports believers in China with their medical costs, Christmas Care packs for Sunday school children and literature to strengthen believers spiritually. Pray for the courageous children and adults as their faith is tested. Ask God to encourage and protect them. Pray He gives them grace to forgive their persecutors and for the Holy Spirit to draw them into fellowship with Him.