China (MNN) — According to Voice of the Martyrs USA and China Aid Association, Zhang Jian, son of Pastor "Bike" Zhang Mingxuan, is recovering from an unprovoked brutal beating by Chinese public officials six days ago.
Zhang Jian reported to China Aid that he was called to his mother's apartment when officers entered her home forcibly to evict the family and began throwing their belongings onto the street. Zhang Jian arrived to find his mother shoved to ground and his younger brother injured by the intruders. Zhang Jian was then beaten by 15 Public Security Bureau (PSB) officers with iron bars for 25 minutes, according to his mother, Xie Fenglan.
When the officers left, Xie Fenglan attempted to call an ambulance, but the receptionist told her that a government official had forbidden the dispatch of an ambulance to Pastor Bike's home.
Zhang Jian was taken to the hospital by a friend and regained consciousness the next day. His nose and eye bone were broken, and doctors are unsure whether he'll regain eye sight. Even though his physical condition is serious and more treatment is needed, Zhang Jian has left the
hospital because PSB officers were watching him there, and he feared for his safety.
All nearby hotels were prohibited from housing the Zhang family; they are now staying with friends.
The family has not been able to contact Pastor Bike, who was traveling
at the time of the attacks, and they fear authorities have detained
him.
Persecution is not new to this family. Pastor Bike has been arrested 26 times during his ministry, and his house church (which had received government approval) was recently boarded up and shut down.
These setbacks have not stopped the Christian movement in China, however. Pastor Bike has continued to ride from place to place, spreading the life-changing news of the Gospel, supported by hundreds of other Chinese believers.
Pray for Zhang Jian to make a full recovery and for his family to obtain the money to pay the hospital bills. Pray that the Lord would continue to move in China, and that His people would be strengthened and encouraged despite persecution for their faith.
In Matthew 10:22 we find Jesus' words to His followers, "All men will hate you because of Me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved."
