Editor’s note: This January and February, we are spending a few months praying for the persecuted church in China. A Chinese pastor shares how his family and church weathered the years he spent in prison, and how they have grown since he was released. He says that, although the church was unified and loving in the face of external persecution, when the storm passed, they had to deal with internal pressure and disunity. But God was faithful throughout, and his grace was sufficient.
“God’s Grace Was Sufficient”
Preacher Du: For my family, [my time in jail] was also refining and training. These two years were far harder for my wife than for me. After being inside about six months, I basically adapted. It wasn’t easy, but it became manageable.
But outside, my wife and family had to bear much heavier pressure: appealing to courts, facing the weakness of other believers and comforting and supporting them, and more. For my wife, it was both a trial and a training.
The support, love, and service we received from the larger church family helped our whole family experience what it means to “love one another”” in Christ. Even though we went through hardship and suffering, we also saw clearly that God’s grace outweighed all of it.
In the past, she depended on me in some areas. For example, before, I was basically her personal driver. But during that time she had no choice. Although her driving wasn’t great at first, after two years she improved a lot.
It was also a big training for our children. Our older child is already a father. When everything happened, he was already working. He realized he needed to step into the “father role” for the family. He knew he had to support his mother and take care of his younger sibling. Every time I think about this, I’m touched.
Over these two years, our family experienced God’s many graces and protections. Our elderly parents did not suffer any major physical crises. Although my mother worried constantly about my imprisonment, God’s grace was sufficient for our family.
God used brothers and sisters to visit our family, write them letters, and comfort and encourage them. Many sisters often prayed with my wife. The support, love, and service we received from the larger church family helped our whole family experience what it means to “love one another” in Christ. Even though we went through hardship and suffering, we also saw clearly that God’s grace outweighed all of it.
Satan wants to use persecution to divide, fragment, and split.
Persecution Without; Pressure Within
These two years of hardship led our church through a very thorough refining, form the outside, in. The external trial was the persecution itself: false charges, a typical example of religious persecution. But through facing this external persecution, our church family became more united and more loving. Over those two years, the church’s support and practical help of the families of the detained was truly sufficient. Inside, I often received letters from the many brothers and sisters who wrote me. I’m grateful for all that. When we faced external persecution, we had great unity and love.
But afterward, when I came home, the church began to go through an internal trial. The believers had naturally formed different ideas and perspectives. Spiritually, it was clear Satan wants to use persecution to divide, fragment, and split. Some brothers and sisters, including key leaders, left the church – maybe as much as a third of the church. We did not have unity.
Some was because of theological differences. Others were fearful, thinking, “This church is dangerous; will there be more persecution?” In China, once a house church is raided, there is a real risk of future raids. You can’t avoid it. Other people were dissatisfied, or had concerns about the personal lives of leaders, or had concerns about our ministry.
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So, first our church went through external pressure and persecution. Afterward, we have had internal refining and hardship. Things have stabilized now. We are through the rebuilding phase, and 2026 is a brand-new beginning. We pray and hope the church can experience a new revival — that God would bring renewal through this refining.
God’s Protection in Prison
China Partnership: Did you experience any physical mistreatment during your time in the detention center?
Preacher Du: No – none. I’m very thankful. I’ve come to understand that my province is relatively more “civilized,” and apparently my particular prison is even known as a “civilized detention center.” [1]
2026 is a brand-new beginning. We pray and hope the church can experience a new revival — that God would bring renewal through this refining.
Later I even served as a “cell manager” for half a year – kind of like how, in Scripture, the jailer trusted Joseph to help manage the other prisoners. Of course, in many places that role can turn someone into a bully. But I used the role to serve and others and to take care of people.
[1] “Civilized detention center” (文明看守所) is an official Chinese government designation for facilities meeting certain administrative and safety standards. It implies relatively better conditions compared to other facilities, though still strictly controlled.
Du Liang is a pseudonym for a house church pastor in southern China.
Pray for God to strengthen and encourage the families and churches of imprisoned Chinese Christians.
