7/2/2025 China (International Christian Concern) — A trial for three members of a long-standing, unregistered house church in China began on June 24 at the Baqiao District Court.  

Pastor Lian Changnian, his son Pastor Lian Xulian, and Sister Fu Juan of The Church of the Abundance (Fengsheng) in Xi’an, Shaanxi, were detained in 2022, following allegations of financial fraud. Communist authorities also accused the church of being a cult, despite its orthodox Christian teachings. Eventually, authorities forced the church to close after 30 years of ministry.   

Communist officials often lob such allegations against unregistered house churches. In their charges of fraud, they frequently claim that the collection of tithes and offerings is fraudulent because the churches are not registered with the Three-Self Patriotic Movement, a government-controlled church.  

While in custody, Pastor Changnian’s mental and physical health deteriorated. The three Christians were released on bail on April 12, 2025, after committing to a trial.

During the trial, church members requested to speak and declare on the record that no fraud had occurred within the church or by the three detained members. The court denied their request, leading the church to make a public statement of its innocence. 

Pastor Xuliang also reported that their lawyers were barred from attending the trial — another tactic Communist officials and courts deploy to pressure lawyers and delay trials. 

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