“We love because he first loved us.”
Chen Wen-seong, a Christian street evangelist from Hengyang, Hunan Province, China, was released from prison on April 2 after serving a one-year and seven-month sentence for “organizing and funding illegal gatherings.” On the same day, shortly after being escorted from Deosan Prison to a hotel in downtown Hengyang, he resumed street evangelism with his wife.
According to the Christian human rights group ChinaAid, Chen had attempted to travel to Jeju Island, South Korea, on August 29, 2023, to share the gospel, but was stopped by authorities at Shanghai Airport. He was then sent back to Hengyang and placed under 15 days of administrative detention.
Later, the local public security bureau detained him again, and on October 25, 2023, he was officially arrested under Article 290 of China’s criminal law, which bans organizing and funding illegal gatherings.
His trial was held on April 18, 2024, at the local district court. On that day, police and security personnel restricted access to the courthouse, and most of the courtroom seats were filled with unidentified individuals. Only his wife, son, brother, and sister-in-law were allowed to attend. His 86-year-old mother was kept in isolation at home. Chen was sentenced to one year and seven months in prison.
Prosecutors claimed that Chen had disrupted public order by repeatedly evangelizing in markets, intersections, shops, and ethnic minority areas. Prior to his arrest, he had already received nine separate administrative detentions totaling 130 days for his public evangelism efforts.
On April 5, three days after his release, Chen posted a message on Chinese social media: “Hallelujah! Praise the Lord Jesus! Yesterday, I safely moved from Deosan Prison to the Hengyang Hotel. Today, my wife and I are back on the streets sharing the gospel. Please keep praying for us.”
He quoted Philippians 1:12-14, saying that his time in prison became an opportunity to spread the gospel. Even while imprisoned, Chen continued to witness, praying with over 300 fellow inmates. According to reports, three of them were baptized.
Quoting Romans 1:14-16, he affirmed his calling: “I am a debtor to the gospel. I will preach it with all my strength. I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God.” (Source: Gospel Prayer Newspaper Edited).
There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. We love because he first loved us. (1 John 4:18-19)
God, thank You for being with Brother Chen, who continues to run with bold faith in his mission to spread the gospel, even after facing repeated detentions in China where Christianity is openly persecuted. Let the song of truth—that You loved us while we were still sinners—be proclaimed through Your people in this dark land. May many hear the message of Your perfect love and receive the blessing of eternal life. Through bold witnesses who preach the gospel of life, whether in prison or on the streets, may the persecuted Church in China be strengthened in Your love and stand firm as a victorious Church.
Prayer 24·365
prayer@prayer24365.org
