CHINA: ‘MY CHAT IS BEING WATCHED’

Ling’s* church has to meet in secret. Even sending messages arranging to meet is dangerous. “My WeChat’s (The chinese version of WhatSAPP) being watched,” she says. “The village authorities don’t like us to connect with believers outside.”

Ling* lives in China, where following Jesus can be dangerous. Her church meets in secret, and even sending messages to other believers can bring attention from local authorities.

“My WeChat’s being watched,” she says. “The village authorities don’t like us to connect with believers outside.”

In China, many churches are closely monitored by the government. For Christians in rural areas, especially those from ethnic minority groups, gathering with other believers can be risky. House churches are often watched, and some Christians can lose government support if they openly follow Jesus.

But Ling’s challenges began long before government pressure.

Ling and her husband, Song*, grew up in a remote mountain village in southwest China. After moving away to find work, a friend invited them to church, where they heard about Jesus for the first time.

“That day in church, something stirred in my heart,” Ling recalls. “The message of hope, love and forgiveness spoke directly to our brokenness.”

As their faith grew, they felt called to return home and share the gospel with their community. They knew this would be difficult because most villagers followed traditional spiritual practices and ancestor worship.

“Let’s take the adventure,” said Song. “Only the gospel can set people free.”

Their fears proved true. When Ling stopped taking part in traditional rituals, some family members became angry. One of Song’s brothers even threatened her. When Song stood firm in his faith, the couple were rejected by relatives and village leaders. In a community where family ties are very important, they suddenly found themselves alone.

Then tragedy struck.

One day, their six-year-old son accidentally drank pesticide. Doctors said there was no hope and expected him to die. Even Song’s father, who was known in the village for practising shamanic healing rituals, could do nothing to help.

Ling and Song prayed constantly. After more than ten days between life and death, their son made a full recovery.

The miracle shocked both the doctors and their family. Song’s father gave his life to Jesus, removed the idols and items used in spiritual rituals from his home, and many relatives followed his example.

“Everything changed dramatically,” remembers Ling with joy. “Our son’s healing revealed the mighty power of God. Our whole family came to Christ!”

As more people joined the church, the group continued meeting secretly. Ling and Song also became involved in sharing the gospel with other ethnic minority communities.

This growth attracted the attention of local authorities. In recent years, church leaders in the region have been questioned, detained, and accused of organising illegal religious activities. Some house church meetings have even been raided by police.

Despite the risks, Ling and Song continue serving God. They receive support, encouragement, and discipleship training from Open Doors partners like Matian and Fuxi, who help them stay strong in their faith.

Over the past months, Open Doors partners have risked their lives to faithfully visit Ling’s family and the village church workers who were recently detained. With your prayers and support, they can travel to them and offer practical aid, comfort, prayers and renewed hope.

Please keep praying with our brothers and sisters of the underground church. You can help believers who have to worship in secrecy and danger to know they are not forgotten and never alone.

*Names changed for security reasons