Three leaders of Maizhong Reformed Church — Pastor Zhang Sen, Pastor Chang Shun, and Elder Ma Tao — have been reportedly denied access to God’s Word while in prison in China.
The three men were arrested in June 2025 when the church was raided. Communist officials charged them with being part of a cult. Most commentators believe the “cult” accusations are false and the real reason for the men’s arrest is their refusal to join the Three-Self Patriotic Movement, the official, Communist-controlled church.
The three men have continued to request Bibles to continue their studies and build their faith while they face terrible conditions. One of the men’s wives filed a complaint against the prison, noting that its own regulations allow detainees to receive reading materials from relatives after inspection.
Since filing the complaint, the wives and family members of the imprisoned brothers in Christ have faced more intimidation.
“Please pray for these brothers, their families, and other underground, unregistered house churches across China,” an International Christian Concern (ICC) staffer said.
