China Frees Christian Leaders After Years In Prison As Pressure On Churches Continues
By Stefan J. Bos - Posted at Worthy News:
Published May 7, 2026
BEIJING (Worthy News) – China has freed the last two church leaders detained for nearly four years following a controversial police raid on a Christian gathering, amid ongoing concerns over religious persecution.The released believers were among those arrested when more than 100 police officers raided an outdoor camp attended by some 70 members of the independent Linfen Covenant House Church in Linfen City in August 2022, according to rights activists.
Among those detained were Pastor Li Jie, Han Xiaodong, and Wang Qiang, Worthy News learned. The three faced charges related to “fraud,” a commonly used accusation against house churches that refuse to join the state-controlled Three-Self Patriotic Movement (TSPM).
“Since Wang had been released in September 2024, after serving a two-year prison sentence, he was present on April 19 to welcome the release of Pastor Li and Han following the completion of their respective sentences,” advocacy group Voice of the Martyrs Canada (VOMC) said.
