Source: www.ChinaAid.org
Date: November 23, 2021
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| Early Rain Qingcaodi Church's former deacon Hao Ming (Photo: ChinaAid source) |
(Deyang, Sichuan Province— November 23, 2021) On November 19, officers of Denyang criminally detained Early Rain Qingcaodi Church’s Elder Wu Jiannan and former deacon, Hao Ming, under suspected “fraud” charges.
They were arrested two days prior with their wives and co-workers— Liu Wuyi, Liu Yongbo, and Lan Enguang. Hao Ming retired as deacon from Early Rain Qingcaodi Church (Qingcaodi), an Early Rain Covenant Church plant in Deyang, and recently became actively involved with Early Rain Covenant Church in Chengdu. The next morning, officers arrested Hao Yan, Hao Ming’s sister. Police released Liu Wuyi, Hao Yan, and Han Ming’s wife later that same evening.
The arrest of deacon Hao Ming and Elder Wu Jiannan could be related to their close relationship with the heavily persecuted Early Rain Covenant Church in Chengdu. Hao Ming is likely the main target. After he retired from Qingcaodi, he devoted himself to serving Early Rain Covenant Church, signing onto Wang Yi’s “Joint Statement: A Declaration for the Sake of Christian Faith” in 2018. The statement led to heavy persecution of Early Rain in December of 2018. Authorities tracked, monitored, and expelled ministers and believers ever since.
Hao Ming was one of few people who openly supported and helped Elder Li Yingqiang of Early Rain Covenant Church after the crackdown. Another like him was Elder Zhang Chunlei of Guiyang Renai Reformed Church, arrested 3 months ago.
Hao Ming’s arrest shocked countless persecuted Christians of Early Rain, including Dai Zhichao.
Dai and his family have been persecuted constantly in the past six months. Twelve hours after deacon Hao Ming and his wife’s arrest, he posted the following message on his WeChat Moments:
“Our brother and sister in Christ, Mr. Hao Ming and his wife have gone missing for more than 12 hours. They always think of and care about us. I talked to them two days ago. They told us they pray for us every day. Now it is time for us to pray for them every day. No wonder yesterday they sent a person to stop us from leaving home. Looks like we are also in a terrible situation. We are like lambs waiting to be slaughtered. I pray God to fill us with His grace and power! Being a preacher is a high-risk job. If heaven were not true, then we are indeed performing ‘fraud’. But if heaven is true, then who is performing fraud? The devil has been performing fraud from the beginning!”
Sister Shu Qiong, recently expelled from her home by police, wrote:
“When my family was persecuted last time, brother Hao Ming and his wife came to visit us. They are like our parents. They listened to us talk and comforted us with love. They have been taking care of a dog for 10 years. The dog has diabetes. It needs an insulin injection every day. It must be waiting for them to go back home. When I heard the news of their arrest today, it felt like the moment when I heard the news of my pastor and brothers and sisters being arrested on December 9, 2018, during the massive crackdown. December 10, 2018, was my birthday. I fast the whole day to pray for them. I thank God for letting me walk the way of the cross firmly, and I thank the persecution for letting me be closer to God! I pray God to protect and take care of his servants in any circumstance.”
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| Elder Li Yingqiang of Early Rain Covenant Church in Chengdu (Photo: ChinaAid source) |
Elder Li Yingqiang’s wife Zhang Xinyue said:” I would rather the police take away my husband than take away elder Zhang Chunlei and deacon Hao Ming.” On the evening of November 19, Elder Li Yingqiang and his wife Zhang Xinyue attended the “Gospel During the Pandemic” online evangelical meeting. They both wore a newly purchased thick cotton winter jacket, prepared for their arrest at all times. Elder Li also told his children to follow Jesus Christ, even if they are sent to orphanages after their parents’ arrest.
~ Yu Bing, China Aid Special Reporter
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