Midland Reporter-Telegram: China Aid continues fight for human rights, religious freedom

Midland Reporter-Telegram
By Simone Jasper
Published 12:06 am, Friday, April 27, 2018

After Gloria Chen fled China in the wake of pressure from that country’s government, a Midland-based organization played a role in bringing her to the United States. She expressed her gratitude on Thursday for people who support the work of China Aid.

“I feel great support and (God’s) love through China Aid to me, to my family,” Chen told the Reporter-Telegram before her speech at Midland Country Club. “When we arrived here, we (had) no friends.”

Chen had left China with her daughters after her husband, Xie Yang, was imprisoned for his work as a human rights lawyer. He was tortured while in custody and has been released, Chen said. But she said he is still prohibited from traveling freely.

Bob Fu, Presdient of ChinaAid, speaks during the
ChinaAid banquet April 26, 2018, at Midland
Country Club. James Durbin/Reporter-Telegram
“I will insist on the legal right of my husband to go to the United States to come unite with us,” said Chen, who came to Midland last spring.

Bob Fu, founder and president of China Aid, addressed torture and other forms of oppression in his speech during Thursday’s program, called Empowering the Persecuted.

Last year in China, more than 223,000 Christians were persecuted, and 3,700 of them were detained and arrested, according to China Aid numbers. Fu also cited projections that Christianity in China will continue to grow.

“The Chinese communist party always thought they would win this battle by their own legal restrictions or regulations on religious affairs,” said Fu, a pastor who fled China in 1997. “But we all know who already won the battle for us — our living God.”

During his speech, Fu outlined three “wars” the Chinese government has launched: those against the cross, the rule of law and children’s access to God’s word. He described how the country recently revised its Religious Affairs Regulations, which he said prohibit individual houses of worship and regulate government-sanctioned churches.

Fu recently met with leaders in the United States and Europe and said he is hopeful that more countries are speaking up to the Chinese regime.

“Everybody’s concerned — it’s almost a consensus — that this is the worst time in China’s human rights since the Cultural Revolution,” he said. “So, we’ve taken steps to speak up as a voice for these voiceless.”

Fu said China Aid has hired lawyers for people who have been imprisoned and sent counselors to people affected by torture. He also spoke about efforts to train religious leaders and deliver biblical materials.

As his organization’s work continues, Fu said it couldn’t be done without support from the Permian Basin.

“I think this community is so unique — it’s a strong faith community, but also it’s a unique community that has a history of dedication to support justice causes, religious freedom and human rights around the world,” Fu told the Reporter-Telegram.

Chen, who didn’t have any money when she came to Midland, said China Aid helped to pay for her family’s food and clothes. She also shared with banquet attendees examples of people who stepped in to help her family adjust.

“So much help coming from unknown families, from you,” Chen said. “I need to celebrate. I celebrate how God arranged for all of us to meet in Midland.”


ChinaAid Media Team
Cell: +1 (432) 553-1080 | Office: +1 (432) 689-6985 | Other: +1 (888) 889-7757
Email: [email protected]
For more information, click here
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Fight for religious freedom in China

Midland Reporter-Telegram: China Aid continues fight for human rights, religious freedom

Midland Reporter-Telegram
By Simone Jasper
Published 12:06 am, Friday, April 27, 2018

After Gloria Chen fled China in the wake of pressure from that country’s government, a Midland-based organization played a role in bringing her to the United States. She expressed her gratitude on Thursday for people who support the work of China Aid.

“I feel great support and (God’s) love through China Aid to me, to my family,” Chen told the Reporter-Telegram before her speech at Midland Country Club. “When we arrived here, we (had) no friends.”

Chen had left China with her daughters after her husband, Xie Yang, was imprisoned for his work as a human rights lawyer. He was tortured while in custody and has been released, Chen said. But she said he is still prohibited from traveling freely.

Bob Fu, Presdient of ChinaAid, speaks during the
ChinaAid banquet April 26, 2018, at Midland
Country Club. James Durbin/Reporter-Telegram
“I will insist on the legal right of my husband to go to the United States to come unite with us,” said Chen, who came to Midland last spring.

Bob Fu, founder and president of China Aid, addressed torture and other forms of oppression in his speech during Thursday’s program, called Empowering the Persecuted.

Last year in China, more than 223,000 Christians were persecuted, and 3,700 of them were detained and arrested, according to China Aid numbers. Fu also cited projections that Christianity in China will continue to grow.

“The Chinese communist party always thought they would win this battle by their own legal restrictions or regulations on religious affairs,” said Fu, a pastor who fled China in 1997. “But we all know who already won the battle for us — our living God.”

During his speech, Fu outlined three “wars” the Chinese government has launched: those against the cross, the rule of law and children’s access to God’s word. He described how the country recently revised its Religious Affairs Regulations, which he said prohibit individual houses of worship and regulate government-sanctioned churches.

Fu recently met with leaders in the United States and Europe and said he is hopeful that more countries are speaking up to the Chinese regime.

“Everybody’s concerned — it’s almost a consensus — that this is the worst time in China’s human rights since the Cultural Revolution,” he said. “So, we’ve taken steps to speak up as a voice for these voiceless.”

Fu said China Aid has hired lawyers for people who have been imprisoned and sent counselors to people affected by torture. He also spoke about efforts to train religious leaders and deliver biblical materials.

As his organization’s work continues, Fu said it couldn’t be done without support from the Permian Basin.

“I think this community is so unique — it’s a strong faith community, but also it’s a unique community that has a history of dedication to support justice causes, religious freedom and human rights around the world,” Fu told the Reporter-Telegram.

Chen, who didn’t have any money when she came to Midland, said China Aid helped to pay for her family’s food and clothes. She also shared with banquet attendees examples of people who stepped in to help her family adjust.

“So much help coming from unknown families, from you,” Chen said. “I need to celebrate. I celebrate how God arranged for all of us to meet in Midland.”


ChinaAid Media Team
Cell: +1 (432) 553-1080 | Office: +1 (432) 689-6985 | Other: +1 (888) 889-7757
Email: [email protected]
For more information, click here
News
Read more ChinaAid stories
Click Here
Write
Send encouraging letters to prisoners
Click Here
Previous slide
Next slide

Send your support

Fight for religious freedom in China

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