Olympic China arrests pastor

While you're enjoying the Olympics, remember that our Christian brothers and sisters in China are enduring harsh persecution as China strives to make everything look "great" for the world.

Two days before the opening ceremonies in Beijing, Chinese Public Security Bureau police picked up Pastor Zhang "Bike" Mingxuan, president of the Chinese House Church Alliance, who has pedaled his bike more than 10,000 miles, visiting 24 Chinese provinces to introduce nonbelievers to Jesus Christ.

Pastor Bike was the inspiration for the recent partnership between The Voice of the Martyrs and China Aid Association to create the Olympic Prayer Band. Learn More about the Olympic Prayer Band here

Pastor Asks for Prayer Band
Earlier this year, Pastor Bike pleaded with VOM ask Christians to pray for persecuted Christians in China during the Olympics. The pastor voluntarily preaches the gospel openly in China despite being persecuted. He has asked for his identity to be revealed to bring continued attention to the persecution of Christians in Communist China.

Thanks to Pastor Bike’s inspiration and the commitment of concerned Christians across the United States, more than 800,000 prayer bands have been circulated, including one to President Bush.

On Aug. 6, Pastor Bike was arrested while trying to deliver medicine to his ailing wife. His wife and another pastor were also arrested. VOM also learned this week that Chinese officials are opening a full investigation of the Olympic Prayer Bands that were distributed to house church members within China. Despite this increased pressure from Chinese authorities, Chinese Christians continue to ask for prayer and to make their plight known.

Source: Voice of the Martyrs