The Gospel, Advancing Toward Jail: A Letter from One Preparing for Prison

gospel advancing jail.jpg

Editor’s note: This pastor spent several weeks in jail at the beginning of this year. Since his release, he has written about his experiences in prison, as well as a fervent defense of the goodness of Christian belief in a state where such faith is maligned as destructive.

Here, he shares his personal relationships with several other imprisoned Chinese pastors. He closes by admonishing those closest to him that he must choose to follow the way of the cross, seeking obedience to Christ above staying out of trouble.

Just like you would be, I am also surprised to find myself in my forties, with several of my closest friends in prison. Pastor Wang Yi and Elder Qin Defu are typical representatives of this group. They were convicted of “inciting subversion of state power” and “illegal business operations,” respectively. My friend, Elder Zhou Dongyu [a pseudonym], has recently been charged with “criminal fraud.” If you are reading this article, you will inevitably be on the alert to find out who I am. What type of person has a group of jailbird friends like this? There are already those who are distancing themselves from us. I completely understand their reasons, although I cannot help but feel sorry about this!

Let me tell you about my relationship with these men. Wang Yi was my pastor and mentor while I was in seminary. It goes without saying that I have been influenced by what he has seen, learned, and by how he has lived. How others interpret his influence on me, and the consequences to which his influence lead, have long ceased to remain personal matters. His influence has been elevated from an individual concern to one of principle, an issue for national and judicial judgment. Being under Wang Yi’s influence incurs the risk of criminal conviction, and leaves no room for defense. But so what? Am I to make myself an outcast, cutting myself off from the grace God has given in my life? Is the richness of God’s mighty work to be lightly erased from my memory? No. Never.

In this persistence, Elder Qin Defu was sentenced to four years in prison. This is the third year. His prison is a fortified camp, which has been conquered by the power of the gospel [implying Elder Qin has led other prisoners to Christ]. We are looking forward to glorious victory in Christ, which will be witnessed by many when he is released next year.


Never miss a story

Sign up to receive our weekly email with our original articles.

When I first met Elder Qin, he was not yet an elder, but a capable and experienced man, a petite, slender, super-dad. That day he was holding his son, a baby carrier tied around his waist. He brought his wife and his in-laws to Bible study with us. We were in the same small group in Pastor Wang Yi’s home, and he and I were both leaders for other small groups. Over the next two years, Brother Qin grew in grace and knowledge more quickly than I. His shrewdness, boldness, and quick pace of action demonstrated his gifts and revealed his calling. For this reason, he was first chosen as a deacon, and then as an elder.

It was not only the church’s appointment of him, but God’s mighty use of him that eventually made him into a warrior of faith. He is like steel, forged in the hardships of prison. Just before Elder Qin was imprisoned, his 70-year-old father—a country preacher who influenced his spiritual life since childhood—went home to be with the Lord, dying in a car accident on his way home from church. At that time, Brother Qin’s daughter had just turned one month old. The trials he endured during that short period might take others ten years to go through. Looking back, I regret that I was bashful, and didn’t dare to hug him harder.

When it comes to Elder Zhou Dongyu, the two of us share a heartfelt friendship. We were classmates at seminary, and shared the tacit understanding that we could talk about everything. Just three months ago, after I was released from detention, he called me as I was sitting with my critically ill father. I was physically and spiritually exhausted. His exhortations were the most powerful comfort to me. But just a few days later, he was also arrested. I had the deep feeling that he was suffering because he shared my suffering—as if our Lord Jesus Christ was with me in my suffering. But Elder Zhou’s suffering was heavier than mine. I was only detained for fifteen days; he has been in custody for several months. 

Last September, he came to my home to visit me and my family. He expressed his respect for the history and culture of my province. Even more than that, he also remembered the missionaries who came here a hundred years ago, and the blood of their martyrdom that was shed in this land. During the few days he was with us, I was surprised to find in him an elegance I had not noticed before. I saw in him a faithfulness and determination to follow Christ.

When I was at my poorest, Elder Zhou’s generosity left a deep impression on me. Now he has been charged with “criminal fraud,” and I cannot be ashamed for what they bring against me. If it is not fraud for a teacher to be paid a salary, how can it be fraud for a pastor to receive the free offerings of brothers and sisters, offered out of their godly consciences and reverence for God, in order to present God’s favor in grace? As Paul rhetorically askedhis interrogators, “Do we not have the right to eat and drink? Do we not have the right to take along a believing wife, as do the other apostles and the brothers of the Lord and Cephas?  Or is it only Barnabas and I who have no right to refrain from working for a living? Who serves as a soldier at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard without eating any of its fruit? Or who tends a flock without getting some of the milk?” 

If such a charge was levied against me, it might have been justified; I have always been down and out. But Elder Zhou was a former provincial official. He left all this behind, willingly taking up his cross to follow the Lord. His testimony either shows the honor of his Lord, Jesus the Son of God; or it shows that he (and all of us) are crazy, sick, and stupid. If Jesus is not more honorable, then we ought to be imprisoned, locked up in an insane asylum for being part of a madhouse operation!

During the fifteen days during which I was incarcerated, I heard a crazy remark from an ordinary person who was also incarcerated. He said: “If a person was never put in prison in their life, wouldn’t they be missing something?” This was, of course, poor self-consolation, carried out in a joking manner. Perhaps he himself did not know how crazy he sounded. Prisoners are, after all, ordinary, mortal, corrupt people, fallen in sin. Their crazy words, at most, made them more mortal and corrupt—these words never make them spiritual.

But Christ, the pioneer of salvation, leads his troops to break into that mortal place from the heavenly place. From a supernatural place, he leads them into the place of insanity. Is this not the trumpet, blown in the last days, gathering an army to forge ahead into the prisons with the gospel? Is this not so that the power of the resurrection may launch an attack on the stronghold of the power of death?

Prisoners’ need for the gospel is often overlooked. We assume that being on the outside of prison is always better than being on the inside; that those on the outside are better than those inside. Not necessarily!This false assumption makes us abandon the people inside the prison, people who are like us. This assumption makes us fear our days inside prison. But once prison stops being a projection of hell, there is nothing in there to be afraid of. For this reason, those who have committed crimes repeatedly do not change. Because they know this, those who come out of prison become more emboldened to commit more crimes. Do evil-doing criminals have more courage than we, righteous children of God who do good?

In fact, many prison inmates really want to be free from sin. They were taken to prison and brought to the judgment seat. There they were compelled to think about the meaning of life, about the complex topics of sin, death, and salvation. How their hearts long to hear the gospel at that moment!

Prisoners are already mixed up with greasy dirt, wallowing in sludge and filthy sins. They have also seen through the hypocrisy of the world; they have had enough of moralistic preaching. There is a call for a group of prisoners in such a prison, a group of people whose lives have been truly refined by the gospel. These prisoners need people like themselves, those who know the depths of sin, suffering, and death. They also need people who are not like themselves, people who have experienced “the breadth and length and height and depth” of love and forgiveness, of grace that surpasses everything.

After Elder Zhou called me, my father passed away. After I had buried him, as I readied to departed and return to my hometown, my concerned family pleaded with me not to get myself arrested and imprisoned. I am very grateful to them; I thank them, from the bottom of my heart, for their care and love. I feel their heart-warming concern. My eyes were moist with tears as I received their care. 

But—I say to you, my beloved family—I am a servant of God, called by the Lord, and my life is given by the Lord Jesus Christ. I need to be ready to obey the almighty, glorious, majestic command of the trumpet of the Lord. I need to keep in step with the hosts of the Lord. I need to live worthy of the call of the kingdom of heaven, to run for the emblem and medals of the cross. I must get ready to receive the coming of the eternal weight of glory, a reward that is beyond all comparison.

FOR PRAYER AND REFLECTION

Here are a few ways to pray for China based on this brother’s reflection:

-Pray for God’s presence to be with Elder Zhou, with Elder Qin Defu, and with Pastor Wang Yi. All three are currently imprisoned.

-Pray for the gospel to be preached to those in jail.

-Pray for this pastor to have wisdom, discretion, and courage as he walks with God.

Our blog exists, not just to share information, but to resource the global church to share the joys and burdens of the Chinese church. Our hope is that everything you read here will lead you to intentional, knowledgeable prayer for the Chinese church.

Share This Story

Further Reading

winter-sun-Op0kemnmDYA-unsplash
The J-Curve: Suffering Because Of Sin
Read More
manoj-kumar-kasirajan-fAZEw6xPhz8-unsplash
Xi'an: Rich Cultural Heritage
Read More
hieu-do-quang-3A5qSh1KOM8-unsplash
The J-Curve: Suffering with Jesus
Read More

LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT IN CHINA

With rising pressure and persecution in China, there are two challenges imperative for church leaders. The first challenge is for current leaders to love Christ above all else, and not to stray into legalism or love of the world. The second challenge is to raise up the next generation of leaders, who will humbly model Jesus even if current leaders are arrested.

WILL YOU JOIN US IN PRAYING FOR LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT IN CHINA? PRAY FOR:

  1. Current leaders to grow in their daily walks with Christ
  2. Current leaders to shepherd and raise up new leaders
  3. New leaders who love Christ and will model him to the world
  4. New leaders to love and care for the church

Videos

ABOUT LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT

About Shenyang

Shenyang is a city located in northeastern China and is the capital of Liaoning Province. It is known for its rich history and cultural heritage, including the Shenyang Imperial Palace, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Shenyang is also a hub for China’s heavy industry, with companies such as the China First Automobile Group and the Shenyang Aircraft Corporation having their headquarters in the city.

Videos

Stories from Shenyang

About Qingdao

Qingdao is a city located in eastern China and is famous for its beaches, beer, and seafood. The city is home to several landmarks, including the Zhanqiao Pier and the Badaguan Scenic Area. Qingdao is also a major port and has a thriving economy, with industries such as electronics, petrochemicals, and machinery.

Videos

Stories from Qingdao

About Xiamen

Xiamen is a city located in southeastern China and is a popular tourist destination known for its beautiful coastal scenery, including Gulangyu Island, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The city is also a hub for China’s high-tech industry, with companies such as Huawei and ZTE having research and development centers in Xiamen.

Videos

Stories from Xiamen

About Chongqing

Chongqing is a city located in southwestern China and is a major economic center in the region. The city is known for its spicy cuisine, especially its hot pot dishes, and is also famous for the Three Gorges Dam, the world’s largest hydroelectric dam. Chongqing is also home to several historic sites, including the Dazu Rock Carvings, which are UNESCO World Heritage sites.

Videos

Stories from Chongqing

About Nanjing

Nanjing is a city located in eastern China and is the capital of Jiangsu Province. It is one of China’s ancient capitals and has a rich cultural history, including the Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum, the Nanjing City Wall, and the Confucius Temple. Nanjing is also a modern city with a thriving economy and is home to several universities, including Nanjing University and Southeast University.

Videos

Stories from Nanjing

About Changchun

Changchun is a city located in northeastern China and is the capital of Jilin Province. It is known for its rich cultural heritage and is home to several historical landmarks such as the Puppet Emperor’s Palace and the Jingyuetan National Forest Park. Changchun is also a hub for China’s automotive industry, with several major automobile manufacturers having their headquarters in the city.

Videos

Stories from Changchun

About Guangzhou

Guangzhou, also known as Canton, is a city located in southern China and is the capital of Guangdong Province. It is one of the country’s largest and most prosperous cities, serving as a major transportation and trading hub for the region. Guangzhou is renowned for its modern architecture, including the Canton Tower and the Guangzhou Opera House, as well as its Cantonese cuisine, which is famous for its variety and bold flavors. The city also has a rich history, with landmarks such as the Chen Clan Ancestral Hall, the Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall, and the Temple of the Six Banyan Trees. Additionally, Guangzhou hosts the annual Canton Fair, the largest trade fair in China.

Videos

Stories from Guangzhou

About Kunming

Kunming is a city located in southwest China and is the capital of Yunnan Province. Known as the “City of Eternal Spring” for its mild climate, Kunming is a popular tourist destination due to its natural beauty and cultural diversity. The city is home to several scenic spots, including the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Stone Forest, Dian Lake, and the Western Hills. Kunming is also famous for its unique cuisine, which features a mix of Han, Yi, and Bai ethnic flavors. The city has a rich cultural history, with ancient temples and shrines like the Yuantong Temple and the Golden Temple, and it’s also a hub for Yunnan’s ethnic minority cultures, such as the Yi and Bai peoples.

Videos

Stories from Kunming

About Shenzhen

Shenzhen is a city located in southeastern China and is one of the country’s fastest-growing metropolises. The city is renowned for its thriving tech industry, with companies such as Huawei, Tencent, and DJI having their headquarters in Shenzhen. The city also has a vibrant cultural scene, with numerous museums, art galleries, and parks. Shenzhen is also known for its modern architecture, such as the Ping An Finance Center and the Shenzhen Bay Sports Center. Despite its modernization, Shenzhen also has a rich history and cultural heritage, with landmarks such as the Dapeng Fortress and the Chiwan Tin Hau Temple.

Videos

Stories from Shenzhen

About Chengdu

Chengdu is a city located in the southwestern region of China, and the capital of Sichuan province. It has a population of over 18 million people, and it is famous for its spicy Sichuan cuisine, laid-back lifestyle, and its cute and cuddly residents – the giant pandas. Chengdu is home to the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, where visitors can observe these adorable creatures in their natural habitat. The city also boasts a rich cultural heritage, with numerous temples, museums, and historical sites scattered throughout its boundaries. Chengdu is a city of contrasts, with ancient traditions coexisting alongside modern developments, making it an intriguing and fascinating destination for visitors to China. 

Videos

Stories from Chengdu

About Beijing

Beijing is the capital city of China and one of the most populous cities in the world, with a population of over 21 million people. The city has a rich history that spans over 3,000 years, and it has served as the capital of various dynasties throughout China’s history. Beijing is home to some of the most iconic landmarks in China, including the Great Wall, the Forbidden City, and the Temple of Heaven. The city is also a hub for political, cultural, and educational activities, with numerous universities and research institutions located within its boundaries. Beijing is renowned for its traditional architecture, rich cuisine, and vibrant cultural scene, making it a must-visit destination for travelers to China.

Videos

Stories from Beijing

About Shanghai

Shanghai is a vibrant and dynamic city located on the eastern coast of China. It is the largest city in China and one of the most populous cities in the world, with a population of over 24 million people. Shanghai is a global financial hub and a major center for international trade, with a rich history and culture that spans over 1,000 years. The city is famous for its iconic skyline, which features towering skyscrapers such as the Oriental Pearl Tower and the Shanghai Tower. Shanghai is also home to a diverse culinary scene, world-class museums and art galleries, and numerous shopping districts. It is a city that is constantly evolving and reinventing itself, making it a fascinating destination for visitors from around the world.

Videos

Stories from Shanghai

give

A short message about partnering with us.