1/29/2025 China (International Christian Concern) — The drawn-out saga between the People’s Court of Shunde District in Foshan, Guandong, and the Shengjia House Church seems to be ending. 

On Jan. 17, the People’s Court sentenced Preacher Deng Yanxiang to two years in prison. He is scheduled to be released in May because he has already served more than 18 months.  

Preacher Deng Yanxiang joins four other members of his house church who have been imprisoned for alleged illegal business operations. The charges were tied to the church’s publications, including Daily Bible Readings and Interpretations, which were sold and distributed to locals.  

These five Shengjia Christians were arrested in August 2023 for their Christian literature and materials. Local Christians have said that charges by local Communist officials for fraud and “illegal business operations” are frequently used against unregistered house churches throughout China.  

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