Editor’s note: This is a recent, true story of how several Chinese believers from a house church in northern China were put in jail for two weeks — and how that persecution allowed them to rejoice together, share the gospel with police and cellmates, and gave them a bigger heart for their city and province.
We Rejoice in Our Suffering
Li Yingqiang: Lord, we thank you! Early this morning, 11 brothers and sisters returned from jail. Pastor, please share about your experience.
Tan Jian: On October 12, police raided our Sunday service. First, we were detained for 24 hours. Then, 11 brothers and sisters were held for 15 days.
I still feel reluctant for everyone to go through this, but I’m grateful that the brothers and sisters were joyful. The brother next to me said he was honored to share in suffering for the Lord.
When we arrived at the detention center, several brothers and sisters [who had not been arrested] were already there. This greatly encouraged us. One of those arrested was breastfeeding and needed to nurse her child; some of us needed to buy medicine [before being put in prison without access to medicine]. That became an opportunity to share the gospel. We rebuked the police for their sins, and debated about law, morality, and faith. They could not stand it….
I’m grateful that the brothers and sisters were joyful. The brother next to me said he was honored to share in suffering for the Lord.
I saw that the police were truly defeated. Although they were able to bind us, they could not stand on any other ground. In their hearts, the police actually agreed with us. The one escorting me even held my shoes for me while I put them on – you could see they were quietly expressing good will. They had probably never seen a scene like this.
Jail: A Spiritual Experiment
When we went in, they first put us in jail for 24 hours. We sat in “tiger chairs” and were not allowed to sleep. When we finally entered the detention center and sat on the small stools in the cell, it felt comfortable. After a whole day, we could rest.
Eventually, they moved me to the largest cell, which had 14 people. When I went in, I took the initiative to work – mopping the floor, cleaning the toilet. The other prisoners began to accept me.
I was in a cell with another brother. Once believers were together, our strength increased greatly. The biggest gain this time [in jail] was that we set the tone in the cell. Together, we led the cell, and translated our faith into the “ethos” of the cell.
Later, other prisoners started to call us, “Laoda.” [This means “leader.”] We said, “In this cell, the ‘leader’ is the servant. Whoever is the leader must serve everyone.” I led by cleaning the toilets; then I assigned shifts so everyone could experience the work. I took the dirtiest, most tiring jobs. The others only needed to participate so they understood. Later, a man with mental instability was brought in. The police chose me and the other Christian brother to “watch over” him.
Never miss a story
I started to call this experience “a spiritual laboratory.” When you put different chemical elements together, you get different reactions. This time, they put good and evil together – those who believe in God, and those who follow the devil. What would the reaction be? Previously, I felt [being imprisoned and classified with criminals] was the most unfair thing of all. But now, I see it as the most marvelous. God designed a special spiritual laboratory.
By the fourth or fifth day, the other brother and I sensed this theme. Before, we had only led a church, not unbelievers. In the past, it could be hard to lead. The worldview of unbelievers are strong. Their foolish talk can attract many, while our truth could not. But I’m so grateful: truth took the lead in our cell. Other value systems had no market.
Previously, I felt [being imprisoned and classified with criminals] was the most unfair thing of all. But now, I see it as the most marvelous. God designed a special spiritual laboratory.
The police also saw this. Some of the officers even told us, “You are so great.” I told him, “It’s not me – it’s the gospel that is great.” A new inmate came in, and was crying because he missed home. I hugged him, and cried alongside him. One inmate said, “You all are more effective than the officers. We don’t need officers, we need more of you.” I said, “You are right! If the government could see this, they would want to cooperate with the church.” The government didn’t see it – but God did. God sent us into prison to do this wonderful work.
I came to realize that our common ground with unbelievers lies in kindness. That is the most direct entry point. The ethos I set for the cell was, “Be both kind, and united.” Apart from the church, you can’t find a group like that. I told the inmates that kindness is a form of social capital. Bullying in prison cells exists because social capital is lacking; our cell became harmonious because the presence of Christians brought in the capital of kindness. The other prisoners thought deeply after hearing this.
Some prisoners wanted to contact us once they are released, and wrote down our numbers. One had just arrived in Taiyuan from another province when he was arrested for fighting. He was hoping to rent a place and find work. We told him, “We welcome you on behalf of Taiyuan. The city may not welcome us – but we welcome you on behalf of the city.”
That was our greatest gain.
The Gospel Revealed
Li Yingqiang: Thanks be to the Lord! I used to think the biggest difficulty was how few Christians there are inside the jail. They isolate you one by one, and you have no strength. But if no one fears confinement, if we view being detained as good and as an opportunity to serve – then, if many Christians are taken into prison, there will be too many believers to separate. This is a wonderful breakthrough.
Of course, it’s still hard if you are alone. But there are rumors that, starting in January, there will be a complete sweep of house churches. They have explicitly made all house churches are illegal, so they can arrest whomever they want.
I looked at the document that frightened so many people, and it basically threatens 15 days of detainment. What is there to fear? If Christians are not afraid of 15 days and long to witness for the Lord in this way, then prison ministry in China could truly open a new chapter.
Tan Jian: I also thought about that. I thought, “If this really becomes normal – if every so often we go to jail for 15 days – well, if that is what the Lord has sent, that is also very marvelous.”
Li Yingqiang: The prisoners also need the gospel.
Tan Jian: Yes, they really need the gospel.
Last year we prayed for our province, and this year we prayed for Taiyuan. Our vision has expanded, and we are more sensitive than before to the souls of the people around us. In fact, the prisoners inside the jail cared for us very much; they could sense our love for them.
The gospel is again and again manifested in persecution. No one listens using other methods. If you hand out tracts on the street, who pays attention? Only through repeated persecution will Shanxi look to the cross of Christ and will people see the real gospel.
Li Yingqiang: I believe the Lord wants to “give” you Shanxi Province. How do you receive Shanxi? Through the way of the cross, as the gospel is again and again manifested in persecution. No one listens using other methods. If you hand out tracts on the street, who pays attention? Only through repeated persecution will Shanxi look to the cross of Christ and will people see the real gospel.
First the police see it; then those in the cells; then society. Everyone will look – and what will they see? God, using suffering to display his grace and power. It is wonderful!
Tan Jian is a pseudonym for a house church pastor in northern China.
Li Yingqiang is an elder of Early Rain Covenant Church in Chengdu. He and his wife have two children.
Pray that, through persecution, the gospel will become clear to the people of China.
