[Today’s Prayer] Three Leaders of Linfen Covenant Home Church in Shanxi Province, China, Sentenced to Prison

Three leaders of the Linfen Covenant Home Church, a house church located in Linfen, Shanxi Province, China, were recently sentenced to prison under unjust fraud charges. Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW), an international human rights organization, strongly condemned the ruling, calling it “persecution based on baseless accusations.”

Those sentenced include Pastor Li Jie, Elder Han Xiaodong, and Elder Wang Chang. Pastor Li and Elder Han were each sentenced to 3 years and 8 months, while Elder Wang received 1 year and 11 months. However, as Elder Wang has already been in custody for a significant period, he is expected to be released following this ruling.

The three were arrested in 2022 and charged with “illegally obtaining profits.” However, both the church and human rights groups argue that the authorities falsely criminalized the church’s handling of offerings. It has also been alleged that Elder Wang was arrested for refusing to give false testimony against Pastor Li and Elder Han.

The trial was held behind closed doors in May 2025, and the church stated that family members and congregants were subjected to threats and harassment by the authorities prior to the proceedings. It was also reported that the defense attorneys were subtly promised lighter sentences if they attended court without electronic devices—yet this was not honored.

(Omitted)

In a statement, Linfen Covenant Home Church declared,

“We cannot accept this unjust ruling. Our brothers did not commit fraud, and church offerings are not fraudulent acts. We continue to recognize Christ as the sole head of the church and remain a house church upholding the separation of church and state.”

They continued,

“Brothers Li Jie, Han Xiaodong, and Wang Chang are suffering for righteousness’ sake. We are ready to carry the cross with the Lord. We regard this ruling as having come from the Lord, and we receive it with gratitude and obedience.”

CSW condemned the ruling as “a clear act of persecution against Christian leaders”, urging the Chinese government to respect religious freedom. Many house churches in China operate independently of the state-sanctioned Three-Self Patriotic Movement. As such, Chinese authorities often suppress them through legal or economic means.

CSW also pointed out during the July 2024 UN Universal Periodic Review (UPR) that the Chinese government distorted its report, stating that “thousands of religious believers are being arrested, surveilled, tortured, and detained. In particular, the charges against Pastors Li Jie and Han Xiaodong in Linfen are completely unfounded.”

(Omitted)

Source: Christian Today “And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.” (Matthew 16:18)

Heavenly Father, we have heard the heartbreaking news that three leaders of a house church in Shanxi Province, China, have been sentenced to prison under false fraud charges.

Lord, at this time we lift up Pastor Li Jie, Elder Han Xiaodong, and Elder Wang Chang, along with the Chinese church, in prayer. May the church leaders be more united than ever, and may true comfort be poured out on their community. Help them remember Jesus Christ, who suffered and was then glorified, and pour out Your Spirit upon their confession of bearing the cross so that they may boldly press on.

Countless house churches across China are suffering severe persecution and hardship simply for worshiping and praising You. We believe that in all this difficulty and suffering, You alone are the refuge of the Chinese church.

Lord, establish the Chinese church upon the holy rock, so that no matter how hard the government tries to tear it down or attack it, it will not be shaken, and they will see the glory of victory with our resurrected Jesus Christ.

Lord, be with the Chinese church. May they accept persecution and suffering with greater gratitude, and carry forward the gospel westward with firm faith.

With faith that overcomes death, raise up the Chinese church amid tribulation so that it may boldly proclaim the gospel to all ethnic minority regions in China and to the nations.

We long for the day when, through the Chinese church, Tibetans, Uyghurs, Hui people, and all marginalized minorities in China will come before You and run together toward the nations.

Lord! May every ethnic group in China become part of the glorious work of grace, reaching all the nations! May the Chinese church, the Tibetan church, the Uyghur church, and the Hui church all rise up to fulfill the vision of the 1 million-strong army of China!