Editor’s note: Guangzhou, in southern China not far from Hong Kong, is one of China’s most important trade centers. Although all of China has suffered from a lagging economy, the financial situation in Guangzhou doesn’t seem quite as serious as in other areas of China. Local pastors say the last years have brought increasing pressure and persecution, but many of them view these trials as a gift from God. Still, many from the port city — including pastors — have chosen to emigrate, which is difficult for those left behind.

China Partnership: How has your city changed over the last five years? How have things changed for your church?

Focused on Their Own Concerns

Wong Meijing: When Beijing ideology comes to Guangzhou, the ideology is weakened. Guangzhou’s economy is stable. There has been an impact, but it’s not as obvious as in the north.

At the grassroots level, we don’t care anymore about what the government says. No one watches CCTV. Civil servants may pay attention, but those who are not civil servants don’t care about the government’s movements.

It’s always been like this, from ancient times to now. People are more concerned about what they will eat, what soup they will make, where they will go on vacation. Cantonese people don’t care about grand matters. They value food!

It’s always been like this, from ancient times to now. People are more concerned about what they will eat, what soup they will make, where they will go on vacation.

My church was impacted more than five years ago. Our meeting place was very beautiful, but the government forced us out. We went from a large church to small groups – but being small groups is even better; our relationships are closer. We have continued to meet in person, even during the pandemic. During the pandemic, we met in small groups, then connected online with the large group. After, we would fellowship and pray. The prayer was powerful, and the fellowship was good.

That’s how our church is, but some churches are different. Some churches are gone. There are many churches in Guangzhou, but none are big, because the government doesn’t allow you to be big. Most churches are a few dozen people.

A Time for Testimony

Our churches need more prayer. We need to better understand the message of God’s kingdom to have a clearer view of the end times. If not, we have no way to face today. In a materially rich environment like Guangzhou, if you do not have a kingdom perspective, if you are not waiting for the Lord’s return, it is easy to get lost in the world. You may come to church, but this doesn’t mean your heart is toward the Lord.

I’m grateful. Now we pray more, pay more attention to the end times, and better understand God’s kingdom. You have to judge where you are in church history. If you can’t tell that, how can you inherit the past or face the future? You are not a Sunday churchgoer; you are a disciple of God! As a disciple, you await Christ’s return. Christians are soldiers, and must fight. Only when this sort of environment comes will you know what it means to fight. You have to hold fast to the faith, be faithful to death.

I am very much against those who run to America. The church we have in China today is the result of missions, the seeds of martyrs. Missions are the seeds of the church. If the faith in China is to be a testimony – how? To hold fast to the testimony, we must be in an environment where it is necessary to hold fast.

There is cultural persecution, and political persecution. If you go to enjoy American freedom and the peace you think you will have there, you no longer have a public witness in China. Things are very difficult for the church in China. This is a time for testimony.

Zu Jianyu: Over the past few years, due to political shifts, local leaders have been replaced with people who prioritize ideology. There have been severe crackdowns, with arrests in many different areas. The government has used various pretexts to suppress private businesses. The economy has suffered, and public morale has declined. The city has changed noticeably; there’s a sense of restlessness.

Our church has also been affected. The past five years have been marked by constant suppression. Before 2019, we experienced little interference. It seems they are particularly targeted Christian education and school. Our congregation is working-class, and many families struggle to educate their children. About a decade ago, I encouraged members to have larger families, so we have many children. Area churches with Christian education programs have been targeted, and church members have been arrested. When the cases go to court, the evidence presented in court focuses heavily on schooling.

Things are very difficult for the church in China. This is a time for testimony.

The past five years have been shaped by these political changes and their impact on church operations. Our church is grateful that our church governance also improved during this time. The pressure has highlighted the importance of structures based on covenants and mutual accountability, not individual authority. During a challenging period, this has been a source of unity and strength.

Blessed by Persecution

Jiang Aizhong: We can look to the past ten years, not just the last five. Policies in this time have led to a decline in Chinese civilization. Market confidence has eroded, with withdrawals of foreign investments and bankruptcies among private enterprise. There is more political authoritarianism, and the Party has greater cultural influence. In religion, united front efforts have intensified. Ordinary Chinese citizens see these trends.

In this climate, the church faces religious persecution and suppression. There is no room for dissent. Yet the church remains resilient, and acts as an opposing force to any authoritarian regime – not through direct political action, but by upholding truth, the opposite of lies and tyranny.

After our church was founded, we had a few years of relative freedom. Since then, government persecution has been a catalyst for growth, strengthening our faith, love, and wisdom. When the new religious regulations went into effect in 2018, we lost our permanent meeting place. Since then, we have met in different locations each week. Our members regularly face questioning and interviews by local public security and religious affairs bureaus. Yet they respond with wisdom. Just tonight, a brother shared how, when security officers visited his home, he asked for their identification and the reason for their visit. They were flustered; they couldn’t deceive someone who knew his rights. These encounters are evidence of God’s blessing, refining our wisdom.

God’s grace does not always come through smooth sailing, but through what we see as hardship. We do not view ourselves as victims of persecution – but as beneficiaries.

We embrace persecution with joy, recognizing it is spiritual nourishment. Our love has also grown, leading us to do more charitable work, supporting persecuted Christians and providing hospice care. We demonstrate Christ’s love by caring for the vulnerable. Persecution has broadened our understanding of missions, including Christian education. We prioritize raising the next generation to fear God and trust in Christ. Even though the government has shut down our school, they cannot extinguish our commitment to education. Many parents switched to homeschooling, and our church equips parents with training and resources. We consider this a vital part of our mission, and aim to equip our children to serve as lights.

Persecution has also spurred on our church planting efforts, both at home and overseas. Because of our church’s size and resources, we were not prepared for overseas missions. But through persecution, God’s grace has opened doors for this.

We are so grateful for how much we have been transformed, especially since 2018. God’s grace is often seen through trials. His grace has strengthened our faith, expanded our ministry, and given us a deeper commitment to our vision and the truth. God’s grace does not always come through smooth sailing, but through what we see as hardship. We do not view ourselves as victims of persecution – but as beneficiaries.

God’s Goodness Among Increasing Difficulties

Ran Wuliang: I’m bi-vocational. After the pandemic, China and the West have clearly been decoupling. Especially in the past two years, church members have lost income. We need God’s help. A sense of pessimism about the economy hangs over the area.

As for church, my church has been able to consistently meet in one place. Our small groups, which had been scattered, have reunited, strengthening our fellowship. We are Reformed Presbyterians. Under this structure, we have a deeper sense of being connected as members of one body. Overall, I feel the church has been greatly built up and edified over these past five years.

Some think Reformed churches do not have evangelistic fervor, but I see passionate evangelism within our church. Our congregation is growing, and we thank God for daily adding those who are being saved. I’ve seen us grow and mature in these years, and I’m incredibly grateful.

Yang Qiangdong: Many pastors around us – good pastors – have emigrated, which is quite saddening. We used to share the gospel freely in parks, using speakers and banners. Now it’s nearly impossible. Authorities often question us, effectively preventing evangelism. This is a big change.

I’ve noticed more and more psychiatric hospitals in the area, and many businesspeople and friends struggle with depression. It’s a challenge to share the gospel with them – they’ll listen for hours,  and decide that faith is good, but it is difficult to commit to church. Many brothers and sisters have seen their income go down by as much as 50 percent, and constantly change jobs as businesses close.

Many pastors around us – good pastors – have emigrated, which is quite saddening.

Five years ago, our church did not have governance structures. Things like a confession of faith and church discipline seemed good, but I gradually realized it’s not just about structure. It’s about sharing and continually evangelizing. Empowered by the Holy Spirit, people in our church have begun to understand commitment and the gospel.

We used to evangelize in parks and on the streets, but now we focus on sharing with family and friends. We see the gospel’s power at work. Our church has more than tripled in size. Before, a lot of people in our church didn’t really understand the gospel. Now, after hearing it again, they are committed and are actively seeking ways to serve.

These five years have brought many changes. While many fellow pastors have emigrated, we remain thankful.

Wong Meijing, Ran Wuliang, Jiang Aizhong, and Yang Qiangdong are Guangzhou area house church pastors. Zu Jianyu is an elder in a local house church.

Pray for Guangzhou believers to see God’s gracious blessing through this season of persecution. Pray the Lord will use trials to strengthen and grow his people.