Published on: 9 November 2023
BACKGROUND SUMMARY
Chang Hao is a rural house church leader from Zhaotong, Yunnan province. He has been very active in social justice issues in his local community, organizing prayer meetings and supporting persecuted churches.
Local authorities have summoned Pastor Chang on multiple occasions to question him about his activities. This year he was arrested on charges of “picking quarrels and provoking trouble” which is often used by police as a catch-all accusation to detain innocent people indefinitely.
Since his arrest, Chang has been denied visits by family and his legal counsel. This is in clear violation of China’s own laws on procedure and regulations governing detention centers.
Chang suffers from physical disability and diabetes. He is presently being held in a detention center in Zhenxiong County.
TIMELINE
April 14, 2023: Arrested on charges of “picking quarrels and provoking trouble.” All Bibles, Christian books, telephones, laptop, and face masks imprinted with gospel messages were confiscated from his home.
April 20, 2023: According to an officer at the Zhenxiong Bureau of Public Security, Chang’s “administrative” detainment was extended to eight days. However, police officers in charge of the case informed his lawyer that Chang is being detained on “criminal” charges.
April 30, 2023: Family did not receive any official detention notice from the authorities.
May 6, 2023: Chang’s lawyer denied access to his client at the Zhenxiong County detention center.
July 25, 2023: Lawyer denied access to his client’s case files.
November 22, 2023: Family informed human rights organizations that the prosecutor’s office plans to prosecute Chang on charges of “publishing and forwarding false information on the Internet, inappropriate speeches, causing serious chaos in public order, and having a bad social impact.”
April 12, 2024: One day hearing for sentencing with the prosecutor recommending a one year or less detention. Since Hao was arrested on April 14, 2023, his lawyers expected him to be released on April 14, 2024. This has not happened and currently Pastor Hao remains in prison without a clear release date.
PRAYER NEEDS
Pray that God will give Pastor Chang a strong faith to face these difficult days of persecution in prison. Especially pray for Chang’s health issues – that the Lord would comfort him and provide him with the diet and medication he requires.
Ask the Lord to assist Chang to be steadfast in faith as he faces an indefinite detainment. May the Lord find a way to release Chang from his chains!
Pray for Chang’s wife, Enlin, and daughter, Chang Zhiling. May God strengthen their faith to endure this time of separation from their husband/father and may God provide for their needs.
TAKE ACTION – Advocate on behalf of the prisoner
We have a strong advocate in the US Commission on International Religious Freedom in Washington D.C. Write to the USCIRF today and encourage their diplomatic efforts on behalf of Chinese Pastor Chang Hao and others like him who have been imprisoned in China for the sake of their faith in Jesus Christ.
Send your letter to: (view Sample Letters here)
The US Commission on International Religious Freedom
Att: Chair Rabbi Abraham Cooper
732 N. Capitol Street, N.W., Suite A714, Washington, D.C. 20401
