China (MNN) — China's Public Security Bureau evidently
compensated Pastor "Bike" Zhang Mingxuan 17,000 yuan for their
agents' harassment of his family.
According to a report from China Aid, the payment is an
indirect admission of guilt. The
government also covered the medical bills of the youngest son, who was badly beaten
by PSB officials. They also covered the
fine for breaking the family's lease on their apartment.
Pastor Bike is the head of the Chinese House Church Alliance
and has been targeted before with arrests and threats for sharing the Gospel.
As recently as December 21, 2008, China Aid reports that
Pastor "Bike" Zhang Mingxuan was detained in Wulanhaote city, Inner
Mongolia. Authorities caught up with
him while he was waiting for local believers
to transport him to preach and visit persecuted believers.
Weeks prior, on December 9,
police broke into the house of Hua Huiqi, a Christian of Beijing House
Church and forcibly escorted Pastor Zhang Mingxuan out of Beijing.
In late November, the
Ministry of Civil Affairs called for the elimination of the Chinese House
Church Alliance, so it appears unlikely the harassment will stop.
Pray that the Ministry of Civil Affairs will withdraw their
statement. Ask God to protect Pastor Zhang. Pray that his passion for Christ
will be the light that draws others to God.
