Counting The Cost

Random thoughts on walking with Jesus in this turvy-topsy world

Counting the Cost in China

As I'm sure you all know by now  , I am involved in learning about and praying for persecuted Christians around the world. This is not in any way because I am "super-spiritual" - in fact, it is just the opposite. Sometimes I feel as if my faith is so small and weak. When I feel that way, I look to my suffering brothers and sisters in Christ as encouragement because they have learned through the darkest times that Jesus will sustain His children. Another of my interests is writing, especially journalism, and that is why this news report from China caught my eye. It reminds me how fortunate I am to be able to declare my faith in Jesus openly, even on the job, and without fear of violence or imprisonment. Please pray for Brother Zan this week, and I hope that his testimony of faith will inspire you as much as it did me!

“I am born for God only. Christ is nearer to me than father, or mother, or sister - a near relation, a more affectionate Friend; and I rejoice to follow Him, and to love Him. Blessed Jesus! Thou art all I want - a forerunner to me in all I ever shall go through as a Christian, a minister, or a missionary. “

Henry Martyn
Biography

 China - Monday August 21, 2006

JOURNALIST RELEASED FROM CUSTODY, BUT LOSES JOB

Zan Aizong had reported demolition of church, beating of hundreds of Christians.

August 21 (Compass Direct News) – Chinese authorities last Thursday (August 17) released Zan Aizong, a journalist who reported the Hangzhou City police using force to demolish an unregistered church building and beating of hundreds of believers on July 29.

Zan, 37, the former China Ocean News Zhejiang Province bureau chief, was arrested on Aug. 11 for “spreading rumors and disturbing social order.”

Two days before his arrest, Zan received a notice from his employer that he was “no more suitable for the job.”

“As a journalist, my responsibility is to report the truth, even though it means losing my job,” Zan said in a phone interview on Sunday.

Authorities initially issued a warning to Zan on Aug. 1, immediately after he published an article on a Chinese Internet website demanding the government thoroughly investigate the July 29 incident.

On Aug. 4, as he was planning a field trip to visit the demolished church, he was summoned by the Hangzhou City Police Bureau Internet Monitoring Branch. On the same day, authorities searched his office and confiscated his computer.

On Aug. 8, Zan made a phone call to the chief of police of Hangzhou City, expressing his concern about police abuse of power.

On Aug. 11, Hangzhou police summoned Zan again and notified him that he would receive seven days “administrative punishment” in Hangzhou City custody.

A New Christian

After Zan’s arrest, Reporters without Borders launched an appeal for his release. His Chinese friends also showed solidarity with him by writing articles and calling for international attention.

One of them, Yu Jie, is a famous Chinese writer who became a Christian about three years ago. Yu and his wife are the founders of the Beijing Church of Ark, where quite a few high profile dissidents found their hope in Christ.

According to Yu, Zan also visited his church several times and was recently baptized in a house church in Hangzhou.

“As a one-month long baptized Christian,” Yu recently wrote, “Zan Aizong is practicing what [is] taught in the Bible, ‘Mourn with those who are mourning, to be chained with those who are being chained.’”

Yu believes Zan’s experience in jail will only make him identify more with the plight of believers’ in the Xiaoshan Church, several of whom are still in prison.

Zan agreed. “I had a sense of joy when I was in custody, because I knew it was for the glory of God,” he told Compass. “We shall overcome the evil with good.”

Zan is not the only newly converted Christian among influential Chinese giving voice to social concerns. According to a recent report by Newsweek (July 24), growing numbers of lawyers, journalists, and other civic activists in China are converting to Christianity, finding support for their causes as well as personal strength in the teachings of Jesus.

“As a journalist, I report the truth; as a Christian, I spread God’s love,” Zan said.

For more information on Christians in China and the persecution they face for their faith, please visit The Voice of the Martyr's page by clicking HERE.

posted by: Jrobbins at 13:15 | link | comments (6) |
counting the cost in china

Comments:

#1  02 September 2006 - 23:37

 

“As a journalist, my responsibility is to report the truth, even though it means losing my job,”

If only all journalists felt this way...

Conditions have been horrible for our Chinese brethren for a long time but seem to be slowly improving as more people in prominent positions are converting to the faith.

Anonymous

#2  02 September 2006 - 23:38

 

oops. i meant to identify myself above.

Anna V.

Anonymous

#3  03 September 2006 - 17:50

 

Thanks for this your post; I've blogged it
//Dag Selander
Sweden

http://www.bloglines.com/blog/MXp?id=209

Anonymous

#4  03 September 2006 - 17:52

 

MissionXp.webblogg.se
Thanks!
//Dag Selander

Anonymous

#5  04 September 2006 - 13:04

 

Thanks Anna and Dag for your encouragement! My favorite part of blogging is meeting other bloggers and reading their blogs.

Jrobbins

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