This Is What Can Happen When We Remember the Persecuted

This is the kind of thing that makes my day!  I received this e-mail today and wanted to share it as a testimony to show how God moved through the prayer and actions of believers around the globe who prayed and acted on behalf of a well known persecuted family in China.  This is a reminder to us that we can do something through God who strengthens us and hears our cries.  I am also very moved by the devotion this family has to God and to the work He is doing in China.  I hope you will be encouraged to begin or continue to pray and act on behalf of the persecuted Christians in the world.

PSB Pay Compensation for Zhang Jian’s Attack

“Maybe this is the only way to awaken the conscience of the world and for the Chinese to open their eyes that this is the religious freedom in China. I would like … if my life could be used as a wake-up call and could help Chinese brothers and sisters gain more freedom to worship the Lord freely.” – Zhang Jian

When Public Security Bureau (PSB) officers violently beat Zhang Jian for 25 minutes with iron bars in October, bones in his face were broken and doctors feared he would not regain sight in his right eye. PSB officers continued to harass Zhang Jian at the hospital. His parents were kidnapped by the police, and Zhang Jian’s wife and children, as well as his brother’s family, were also forced from their homes. As many of you responded to this family’s cry for help by praying, speaking out and sending support on their behalf, the situation of this family changed dramatically.

Authorities became fearful of the publicity and released Zhang Jian’s parents. In an unprecedented move, on January 5, Director of the Public Security Bureau branch office of Chaoyang district, Beijing, paid his father, Pastor “Bike” Zhang Mingxuan, 17,000 yuan to cover Zhang Jian’s medical bills, as well as the cost of the fine incurred for the early termination of the family’s apartment rental agreement.

This payment of 17,000 yuan was an indirect admission of guilt that the PSB were in the wrong in the attack against Pastor Bike’s family. When Pastor Bike was given the funds, PSB officers blamed him and his family for causing “extremely bad publicity” for them.

Thank you to all who caused this “extremely bad publicity” for the PSB! Currently, Zhang Jian is still dealing with the consequences of the attack. He has a purple scar around his eye and broken bones in his nose, however he has regained vision in his right eye. In a conversation with ChinaAid, Zhang Jian exulted, “I am very grateful for the care and love from our brothers and sisters. We have won more than victories by Christ Jesus. I am getting better because He has been healing me. May the grace and love of Jesus Christ always be with you.” Though Zhang Jian and his family continue to suffer persecution, they are encouraged and emboldened that others around the world are standing with them.

Let Zhang Jian know you are standing with him. Write an encouraging letter:

Mr. Zhang Jian
Apt. 601, 2nd Unite, 2nd Building,
Zaolin Kangtai –xiaoqu, Baihe-nan
Nanyang city, Henan province
CHINA 473400