The latest update for the former Three-Self minister was in 2021 when a CCP Court denied his appeal.

House church in Henan

Yuayang County Central House Church (also known as Zhongxin Church) separated itself from the government-sanctioned Three-Self Church in 2013. Pastor Li Juncai led his congregation away from Chinese Communist Party (CCP) regulations and restrictions. Typically, 700 to 800 believers attended services His church became one of the largest churches in the area with several buildings. 

CCP demands

Li Juncai posted a slogan for the church that said “Love God and people.” However, when officials discovered this they asked him to change it to “Love the country and religion.” They added more demands, such as removing the cross from his church building.

Sentencing and charges

Li refused both of their requests, and police arrested him in February 2019. The Yuanyang County Court sentenced Pastor Li Juncai to five and a half years in December 2020 and fined him 50,000 yuan (~$7,100). He was charged with embezzlement, obstructing government administration, and destroying accounting records.

Church demolished

After Pastor Li was detained, authorities disputed Yuanyang church’s land. They considered the church’s land illegal, but congregants reported they filed all the necessary paperwork for the building with government officials. Even so, the CCP forcibly demolished the building and flew China’s national flag in the cross’ place.