Bethel Church’s founder succumbed to years of police harassment and psychological torment.
A rare blurred image of Pastor Zhao and CCP officers inspecting the Cili County Detention Center where he was detained. From Weibo.
On September 5, 2025, Pastor Zhao Huaiguo—founder of the Bethel Church in Cili County, Hunan—died suddenly in his early fifties. His passing was not merely a personal tragedy, but the culmination of years of state-sanctioned harassment, intimidation, and psychological torment.
Zhao Huaiguo was no ordinary pastor. In 2007, he moved from Northeast China to the rural outskirts of Hunan, where he established the Bethel Church—a haven for elderly believers and those seeking spiritual refuge outside the confines of the CCP-controlled Three-Self Church. His refusal to submit to government oversight was not an act of defiance, but a principled stand for religious autonomy. For this, he paid dearly.
The campaign against Pastor Zhao was brutal and unrelenting. In March 2019, nearly fifty officials from various government departments stormed his church, vandalized property, tore down religious symbols, and confiscated sacred items including Bibles and hymnals. The church was forcibly shut down, and believers were pressured to relocate their worship to state-approved venues.
Then came the arrest. On March 14, 2020, Zhao was detained on the charge of “inciting subversion of state power”—a vague and politically loaded accusation. His crime? Accessing foreign media via VPN and sharing satirical poetry that criticized the government’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. He was sentenced to one year and six months in prison, a term he served under harsh conditions at the Cili County Detention Center.
Even after his release in September 2021, the harassment continued. Police surveillance, home raids, and administrative detentions became routine. In November 2024, Zhao and his wife were detained for ten days under the pretext of participating in “illegal online courses.” Authorities even interrogated church members about their financial contributions, attempting to sow fear and distrust within the congregation.
Pastor Zhao did not die of natural causes. He died under the weight of a system that sought to crush his spirit, isolate his community, and erase his legacy. The psychological and physical toll of constant surveillance, imprisonment, and public vilification cannot be overstated. His sudden death is not merely tragic—it is infuriating.
How many more must suffer before the world takes notice? How many voices must be silenced before we call this what it is: a systematic assault on religious freedom?
Pastor Zhao Huaiguo’s life was a testament to faith, courage, and unwavering conviction. His death must not be allowed to fade into obscurity. It should ignite outrage, demand accountability, and inspire solidarity among those who believe that freedom of belief is not a privilege—it is a right.
Let us mourn him, yes. But let us also speak his name, tell his story, and ensure that his sacrifice was not in vain.
Source: Bitter Winter
