Authorities in China’s Yunnan province have ordered a house church preacher to cease engaging in “illegal religious activities” online by teaching and holding prayer meetings.
The rights group ChinaAid reports that members of Zhenxiong County Ethnic and Religious Affairs Bureau and other officials personally served Chang Hao on June 3 with a Notice Ordering the Cessation of Illegal Activities. “Authorities accused him of using Zoom to teach Christian doctrine and organize prayer meetings in violation of China’s Regulations on Religious Affairs,” says ChinaAid.
Check out more stories on the persecuted church.
Chang said his WeChat account was also restricted.
Chang has been hosting a daily online meeting for Christians across China to pray for believers who have been detained or are imprisoned, ChinaAid said.
‘Provoking trouble’?
In 2023, Chang was detained for possession of religious material and for online comments about religious freedom. “He was later convicted of ‘picking quarrels and provoking trouble’ and sentenced to one year and two months in prison,” notes ChinaAid. “After completing his sentence and being released in June 2024, Chang resumed ministry through both online and in-person activities.”
World Watch
China is No. 17 on Open Doors’ 2026 World Watch List of the 50 places most difficult to be a Christian.
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