• Disclosure
  • Privacy Policy
  • DMCA Policy
  • CCPA
  • Medical Disclaimer
  • Contact
  • About
Friday, July 1, 2022
Maryland Digital News
  • Home
  • US
  • Business
  • World
  • Baltimore
  • Columbia
  • Germantown
  • Waldorf
  • Silver Spring
  • Frederick
  • Press Releases
  • Videos
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • US
  • Business
  • World
  • Baltimore
  • Columbia
  • Germantown
  • Waldorf
  • Silver Spring
  • Frederick
  • Press Releases
  • Videos
No Result
View All Result
No Result
View All Result
Home Silver Spring

Seven Golden Lampstand Church Leaders | Persecution

by NewsReporter
February 14, 2022
in Silver Spring
Reading Time: 4 mins read
seven-golden-lampstand-church-leaders-|-persecution
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

The demolition of Golden Lampstand Church in 2018. 

02/14/2022 Washington, D.C.—The sight of a megachurch crumbling down in Shanxi province caught the attention of global media in 2018.  Using heavy machinery and dynamite, local authorities demolished the Golden Lampstand Church, where more than 50,000 Christians once worshipped. 

Since 2009, the Golden Lampstand Church, located in Linfen city, has faced persecution from the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). The church is part of a network of house churches with more than 50,000 members called Sola Fide. Sola Fide is Latin for by faith only and these churches refuse to affiliate with the CCP-sanctioned Protestant church denomination. 

On Sept. 13, 2009, 400 local police, government officials, and hired thugs descended upon the network’s Fushan campus, demolished its new building, and clashed with hundreds of members of the Linfen church network who rushed to defend their church. Dozens were severely beaten, and more than 30 were hospitalized with critical injuries. 

Ten days later, the Golden Lampstand Church was surrounded by armed police. On Sept. 25, Preacher Yang Rongli and six other leaders were hijacked on their way to Taiyuan to petition their plea. The authorities offered 10 million RMB to purchase the property of Golden Lampstand Church, to which Yang rejected.  

“They offered me 10 million and asked me to sign. They said the church is illegal and asked us to demolish the church. […] The 10 million plus fund was money collected from brothers and sisters in Christ (for the construction of the church), I did not contribute. I asked them to negotiate with those members. If they agree, you pass the fund to them; if not, don’t even negotiate with me, I don’t have the authority to do so,” she said at the time. 

On Oct. 8, Pastor Wang Xiaoguang, the husband of Yang, had his house raided. On Oct. 11, nine coworkers of the church, including Yang, were criminally detained.  

On Nov. 25, Linfen City court found Linfen’s church leaders culpable of “illegally occupying agricultural land” and “assembling crowds to disrupt traffic.” These leaders were sentenced to prison for the following terms: Yang Rongli, seven years; Wang Xiaoguang, three years; Yang Xuan, three-and-a-half years; Cui Jiaxing, five-and-a-half years; Zhang Huamei, four years. Five others were sentenced to “reeducation through labor.” 

As if the punishment of the church was not sufficient, in January 2018, the church building, which cost an estimated $2.6 million USD to construct, was destroyed by dynamite by the CCP for the local authorities were eyeing for the property’s commercial value. Since then, the church congregation has continued to meet outdoors or in private homes and is facing ongoing persecution. 

On Aug. 7, 2021, nine leaders from the church were arrested in a well-prepared and coordinated Public Security operation. Among those detained were Pastor Wang Xiaoguang and his wife Yang Rongli, who had both previously been incarcerated in 2009. Members of other house churches associated with the Golden Lampstand network were also arrested and taken to police stations for interrogation. 

On September 27, the husband-and-wife leaders, along with Li Shuangping, Dong Yongyong, Zhao Guoai, Huo Zhuangping, and Wu Linge were formally arrested. They were accused of “fraud” on December 27 and awaiting trial. 

“Me and my family, along with Christians, we are willing to withstand suffering, for God, for this country, for all the leaders in my city, and for all the Christians out there. I am also willing to sacrifice my life. In sum, whether I live or die, I am always the child of God.” 

Preacher Yang Rongli, in her 2009 appeal to Linfen City 

For interviews, please contact: [email protected]

This story is part of ICC’s series Shackled to the Podium, a series where we remember those who have suffered or are currently suffering persecution by the Chinese Communist Party on account of their faith. This series will populate daily for the duration of the 2022 Beijing Olympics. Click here to read more about the project. 

# # #

Since 1995, ICC has served the global persecuted church through a three-pronged approach of advocacy, awareness, and assistance. ICC exists to bandage the wounds of persecuted Christians and to build the church in the toughest parts of the world. 

Read More Here

Related Posts

5-things-to-know-today,-april-14,-in-montgomery-county

5 Things To Know Today, April 14, In Montgomery County

by NewsReporter
April 14, 2022
0

It’s Thursday, April 14 and here are five things to know in Montgomery County. 1. State of the County: Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich will deliver his 2022 “State of the County” address at noon at the Silver Spring Civic Building. This will be County Executive Elrich’s first in-person State...

senator-demands-answers-from-fda

Senator Demands Answers From FDA

by NewsReporter
April 13, 2022
0

U.S. Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA), Chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, sent a letter to Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Robert M. Califf urging answers and immediate action following a Politico report that lays bare a culture of delay and inaction in the agency’s...

what-le-pen-would-(and-wouldn’t)-do-if-she-beats-macron

What Le Pen Would (And Wouldn’t) Do If She Beats Macron

by NewsReporter
April 12, 2022
0

FRENCH TWIST — If Marine Le Pen becomes the next president of France, the European Union won’t collapse. Neither will the euro. There isn’t going to be a Frexit.But the far-right politician is a genuine threat to the liberal Western order. Here’s why you should worry she could win France’s...

ville-valo,-ex-him-lead-singer-announces-2023-us-tour

Ville Valo, Ex-HIM Lead Singer Announces 2023 US Tour

by NewsReporter
April 11, 2022
0

(CelebrityAccess) – Former HIM frontman Ville Valo (VV) has announced a 2023 tour of the United States supporting his album Neon Noir. The Finnish singer/songwriter has confirmed his next album will be released in early 2023. In addition to the announced US dates, VV will also be hitting Europe and...

Maryland Digital News

© 2021 Maryland Digital News

Navigate Site

  • Disclosure
  • Privacy Policy
  • DMCA Policy
  • CCPA
  • Medical Disclaimer
  • Contact
  • About

Follow Us

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • About
  • DMCA Policy
  • Medical Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclosure
  • CCPA
  • Terms of Use

© 2021 Maryland Digital News

We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept All”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent.
Cookie SettingsAccept All
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
SAVE & ACCEPT