China (International Christian Concern) — After enduring years of persecution, Pastor Zhao Huaiguo, founder of Bethel Church in Cili County, Hunan, China, has died, leaving behind a legacy of faith and resilience.

In 2007, Pastor Zhao relocated to Hunan to establish Bethel Church, with a focus on serving elderly Christians and those who had previously avoided Communist Party-sanctioned Three-Self Patriotic Movement churches.

Since Bethel Church’s founding, Pastor Zhao and his wife have faced relentless attacks. In 2019, authorities raided Bethel Church, confiscated Bibles, destroyed property, and pressured members to join the Three-Self movement. In November 2024, Zhao and his wife were detained for 10 days for delivering unsanctioned online training. Pastor Zhao died in his early 50s.

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