China: Pastor risks imprisonment to preach the Gospel
by Karen Faulkner, Worthy News Correspondent
(Worthy News) – The pastor of a house church in China has said he will continue to preach the Gospel despite the risk that he could be imprisoned by the authorities for doing so, Christian Headlines (CH) reports.
Known only as Gianni for security purposes, the pastor leads a church in Chengdu that the Chinese government deems to be illegal, CH reports. Protestant churches in China have to be members of the government-approved Three-Self Patriotic Movement or they are considered illegal. The Three-Self movement is designed to ensure Christians are loyal to the ruling Chinese Communist Party and imposes restrictions on what church leaders can preach.
Refusing to join his church to the Three-Self movement, Gianni has suffered repeated intimidation tactics, including being detained several times, and having his water and electricity shut off by police.
Nevertheless, Gianni said he will keep sharing the hope of Jesus Christ.”Our faith is ‘declare with your mouth and believe in your heart,’ publicly testifying for Him in the name of Jesus Christ,” he told International Christian Concern.
“It is neither the Church’s responsibility nor does it have the capacity to counter the investigation. We are a fellowship formed by God’s children, not a spy agency. [Our purpose] is so that the souls live in truth, freedom, and joy, not to make our flesh more secure.”
“Since I have not lost faith, I will try to keep living my life to do the following: share the gospel with people in freedom and joy, receive new brothers and sisters and disciple them, send preachers to plant churches,” Gianni said.
“If I shall be incarcerated, then so be it. Nothing will separate us from the love of Christ.”
China ranks 17th on the US Open Doors Watch List 2022 of the top 50 countries where Christians are persecuted.
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