Faith
Seven Christians Vanish After Raid in Chinese ‘Jerusalem’
Faith Facts
- Police in Wenzhou, China raided a house church and seized Pastor David Tang along with six fellow believers, all of whom have disappeared
- Wenzhou is known as ‘China’s Jerusalem’ due to its large Christian population and history of persecution
- The incident highlights escalating religious persecution under Communist Party rule targeting faithful Christians
In a disturbing reminder of the price Christians pay for their faith under communist rule, authorities in China’s Wenzhou city raided a house church and detained its founding pastor along with six fellow believers. All seven remain missing, their whereabouts unknown to family and church members.
Pastor David Tang, who founded the unregistered house church, was taken into custody during the police operation. Six other Christians were also seized in the raid. None have been seen or heard from since their detention.
Wenzhou has earned the designation ‘China’s Jerusalem’ because of its substantial Christian population and long history of vibrant faith communities. Yet this same prominence has made it a prime target for the Chinese Communist Party’s intensifying campaign against religious freedom.
House churches like Pastor Tang’s operate outside the government-controlled ‘Three-Self’ church system that requires registration and submission to state oversight. These independent congregations maintain their autonomy to preach the gospel freely, but face constant risk of persecution from authorities determined to control all religious expression.
The disappearance of these seven believers reflects a broader pattern across China, where President Xi Jinping has systematically tightened restrictions on Christianity and other faiths. Churches have been demolished, crosses removed from buildings, and countless pastors and lay leaders imprisoned or forced into hiding.
For decades, Wenzhou’s Christians courageously built a thriving faith community despite communist opposition. Their dedication transformed the coastal city into a beacon of Christianity in an officially atheist nation. Now that legacy faces an existential threat as authorities work to erase independent Christian witness.
The fate of Pastor Tang and his six colleagues remains unknown. Their families have received no information about charges, location, or condition. This deliberate silence is itself a form of psychological torture, designed to instill fear and break the spirit of the faithful.
American Christians must remember our brothers and sisters suffering for their faith in China and around the world. Their courage under persecution should inspire us to defend religious liberty here at home and to demand our leaders prioritize human rights in diplomatic relations with Beijing.
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Faith
How Candace Cameron Bure Guided Danica McKellar to Faith
Faith Facts
- Danica McKellar credits Candace Cameron Bure with leading her to Christ four years ago.
- McKellar now views her acting career through a faith-centered lens.
- She seeks roles that reflect her Christian values and convictions.
Actress Danica McKellar has opened up about the moment she found faith in Christ. She credits longtime friend and fellow former child star Candace Cameron Bure for guiding her on that journey four years ago.
McKellar shared that her new relationship with Jesus has transformed the way she sees her career and the projects she now chooses to pursue. Instead of simply chasing roles for fame or success, she is now more intentional about the stories she tells on screen.
“It’s been Jesus this whole time”
McKellar’s transformation reflects a deeper commitment to living out her faith both on and off the screen. She has expressed gratitude for the spiritual mentorship she received from Bure, whose own public witness as a believer has long been a steady presence in Hollywood.
The actress says her faith has redefined her purpose, helping her to focus on projects that align with her Christian convictions rather than simply accepting work based on popularity or financial gain.
Let us know what you think, please share your thoughts in the comments below.
Faith
When Tragedy Strikes the Sanctuary What Does It Reveal About Faith
Faith Facts
- A priest in Ecuador died during a church service when a large crucifix fell from the wall.
- Kenny Kinglesmith addresses unbelieving friends in an open letter about hope in Jesus amid suffering.
- Christian believers continue to place their trust in Christ even when tragedy strikes inside the sanctuary.
The sudden death of a priest while leading worship has shaken believers across Ecuador. Questions about suffering and divine purpose are rising again.
Kenny Kinglesmith has written an open letter to friends who do not believe. He explains why his hope in Jesus remains firm despite the pain.
“In the face of inexplicable suffering, I still choose to place my hope in Jesus.”
Many Christians are wrestling with how a loving God could allow such a loss inside His house. The event has prompted renewed reflection on the mystery of suffering.
Kinglesmith does not offer easy answers. Instead he points to the cross itself, where Christ endured the ultimate injustice yet brought redemption.
“I still choose to place my hope in Jesus.”
The tragedy has become a moment for believers to examine their own trust in God. It is also an opportunity to demonstrate compassion to those who question.
Kinglesmith urges Christians to live out their faith openly. He believes the witness of steadfast hope can speak louder than arguments.
“In the face of inexplicable suffering, I still choose to place my hope in Jesus.”
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Faith
Franklin Graham Shares How He Found His Own Calling Outside His Father’s Legendary Shadow
Faith Facts
- Franklin Graham was raised in the shadow of his father Billy Graham, one of the most influential Christian leaders of the twentieth century.
- He has publicly stated that he never tried to become Billy Graham and instead sought to follow the distinct path God set before him.
- The younger Graham has carried the Gospel message across the globe through Samaritan’s Purse and the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association while maintaining a clear Christian conservative witness.
Franklin Graham recently opened up about the challenges of growing up in the household of the twentieth century’s most renowned evangelist. He explained that being the son of Billy Graham carried both a tremendous blessing and a heavy weight of expectations.
Despite the public scrutiny and inevitable comparisons, Graham made a deliberate choice early in life. He decided he would not attempt to replicate his father’s ministry or persona in any way.
“I never try to be Billy Graham,”
he said. This statement reflects the conviction that God equips each believer for a unique assignment rather than a copy of someone else’s.
Graham’s own ministry has grown into a powerful force for the Gospel through both the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and the international relief work of Samaritan’s Purse. His approach has been marked by direct, unapologetic proclamation of biblical truth on issues ranging from religious liberty to the sanctity of life and traditional marriage.
“I never try to be Billy Graham,”
he reiterated, underscoring that his calling has always been to serve the Lord faithfully in the time and culture where God has placed him.
Today Franklin Graham continues to lead large-scale evangelistic events across the United States and around the world. He remains a steady voice for Christian values at a time when many pulpits have grown silent on cultural matters.
Let us know what you think, please share your thoughts in the comments below.
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