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Persecuted Early Rain Church Elder, Family Harassed and Threatened After Return to Chengdu
In December 2018, Elder Li Yingqiang of Early Rain Covenant Church was arrested with Pastor Wang Yi and other leaders and jailed for 8 months in Chengdu, China. Li was then released on probation for one year, during which time he was required to leave Chengdu and live in his hometown. Learn what happened next.
Declaration by Christians in Hong Kong in Support of Pastor Wang Yi of the Early Rain Church in Chengdu
We are a group of Christians based in Hong Kong who care about the well-being of churches in China. We are gravely concerned about the prosecution and sentencing of Pastor Wang Yi of the Early Rain Covenant Church for 9 years by the Intermediate People’s Court in Chengdu on 30 December 2019, under the charges of “inciting subversion of state power” and “unlawful business operation”. The following is our statement in this regard
Statement from Persecuted Early Rain Church Regarding Severe Sentence of their Pastor Wang Yi
Since December 9th, 2018, our church’s senior pastor Wang Yi has been imprisoned on charges of “inciting to subvert state power” and “illegal business operations.” On December 26th, 2019, he was secretly tried at the Chengdu Intermediate People’s Court.
On December 30th, the court announced that Pastor Wang Yi was sentenced to 9 years in prison and fined 50,000 RMB. Our church issues the following statement to clarify our position
China Sentences Prominent Pastor Wang Yi to Nine Years in Prison for Subversion
Wang Yi is one of China's most prominent protestant pastors, a respected intellectual, a legal scholar, a renowned human rights advocate, and a church movement leader. On Monday morning (Beijing time), December 30, 2019, the Chinese government sentenced pastor Wang Yi to nine years in prison on charges of inciting subversion of state power.
My Declaration of Faithful Disobedience – Pastor Wang Yi (English Translation)
Wang Yi is one of China's most prominent protestant pastors, a respected intellectual, a legal scholar, a renowned human rights advocate, and a church movement leader.
Pastor Wang Yi wrote the declaration below to be published by his church should he be detained for more than 48 hours. In it he explains the meaning and necessity of faithful disobedience, how it is distinct from political activism or civil disobedience, and how Christians should carry it out.
Join Worldwide Day of Prayer for Persecuted Church in China on December 9th
On December 9th, 2018, authorities arrested more than 100 members and leaders of Early Rain Covenant Church(秋雨圣约教会), including their pastor, Wang Yi, who along with his wife were charged with “inciting to subvert state power.” Pastor Wang Yi is still in jail awaiting trial. China Partnership is calling for a worldwide day of prayer for all churches in China on this day. Included is a helpful prayer guide.
Read Key Papers by Pastor Wang Yi and Persecuted Chinese Church Leaders in Several Languages
Read these primary source documents written in Chinese by the persecuted church leaders at Early Rain Covenant Church in Chengdu, China as well as important documents signed by groups of Chinese church leaders and translated into various languages.
Urgent Prayer Update 32 Directly From Persecuted Early Rain Church in China (English)
These urgent prayer updates (below) are directly from Early Rain Covenant Church seeking prayer and help from the watching world, especially followers of Christ. At the time of this post, there are 32 updates, ranging from December 9, 2018 to March 24, 2019.
秋雨圣约教会代祷信32号
These Chinese urgent prayer updates (below) are directly from Early Rain Covenant Church seeking prayer and help from the watching world, especially followers of Christ. At the time of this post, there are 32 updates, ranging from December 9, 2018 to March 24, 2019.
How Do I Forgive Someone Who Wronged Me? (Managing Conflict, Part 6)
Forgiveness is not merely a feeling. It is primarily a decision, an act of the will, that God calls you to make, often in spite of your feelings. Forgiveness is always costly, just like it cost God something great, in his Son, to forgive you. It will always cost you something great to forgive someone else. The person who has wronged you is in your debt until you decide to release that debt you've been holding on to. Forgiveness is a costly choice for you, but a choice that always pays the giver rich dividends.
How Do I Own Conflict as a “Chief Repenter”? (Managing Conflict, Part 5)
One of the most significant ways that church leaders can serve as examples to the flock is through their repentance. Only through the Gospel can we find the power to be criticized and then to humble ourselves and confess our sins to others no matter what their response might be to us.
How Do I Engage in Conflict with Wisdom? (Managing Conflict, Part 4)
We should always seek first to overlook the offenses of others. But sometimes it becomes necessary to talk with others about their failures.
How Do I Manage Conflict? (Managing Conflict, Part 3)
There is a big difference between constructive criticism and sinful antagonism. Some leaders become unnecessarily paranoid when others disagree with them.
How Do I Redeem Conflict? (Managing Conflict, Part 2)
When faced with conflict, the first question we should ask ourselves is “How can I best honor God and love this person?"
How Do I Understand Conflict? (Managing Conflict, Part 1)
Having personal conflict with others is an inevitable part of ministry. The question is not whether you will face conflict, it's simply when you will face it and how you will respond. In this session you’ll learn about key dynamics involved in conflict to help you answer the question, “How do I understand the danger and hope in my conflict?”.