Pastor "Bike" Zhang Mingxuan Photo from ChinaAid

At approximately 6:00 a.m. on March 21, police arrested Pastor "Bike" Zhang Mingxuan, leader of the Chinese House Church Alliance, in Yanjiao town, Hebei province, according to an April 7 report from ChinaAid. Pastor Zhang was staying at the home of a local Christian man after baptizing a believer when more than a dozen police officers arrived. The authorities took Pastor Zhang to the local police station where he was searched, interrogated and threatened with death. Bank cards and three cell phones were confiscated. Three hours later, Pastor Zhang was handed over to Public Security Bureau officials who questioned him about his recent travels. Pastor Zhang's belongings were eventually returned, except the debit card for an account containing 150,000 yuan ($27,123 CAD). He was released at approximately 5:00 p.m.

Pray for strength and protection for Pastor Zhang. Pray that he and other believers facing trials for their faith will find comfort in the fact that God commends those who suffer for doing good
(1 Peter 2:20-21).

For more on the persecution of Christians in China, click here.