The popular preacher was baptizing new Christians with famous Pastor John Cao when the police raided the gathering on October 15.
by Li Xiaosi
“Bitter Winter” has devoted several articles to Yunnan preacher Chang Hao, the “Christian anti-COVID mask man” who became popular by distributing masks inscribed with Bible verses, an initiative that mightily disturbed the authorities.
In April 2023, police raided Brother Chang Hao’s small rural church in Zhenxiong County, Zhaotong City, Yunnan Province. They confiscated Bibles, Christian books, and the famous anti-COVID masks with the Bible verses.
On November 7, 2023, the prosecutor brought the case against Brother Chang Hao to the Zhenxiong County People’s Court. According to Chinese law and procedure, a verdict was typically expected within two months, and no later than within three months. This period ended in February. Despite a document stating Chang Hao would be detained only until February 10 if no verdict was issued, he remained in jail without a verdict even after that date.
However, he was finally sent to trial and sentenced to one year and one month in jail for “picking quarrels and provoking trouble,” a catch-all charge against religionists who operate independently of the CCP-controlled religious bodies.
Counted from when he was first detained, the term of one year and one month expired on May 14, 2024, and Chang Hao was released on that date. However, he was kept under surveillance.
On October 15, 2024, Chang Hao gathered local believers in in Zhenxiong County to celebrate the baptism of fifteen new Christians, some of them coming from Hunan with Pastor John Cao (Cao Sanqiang), another well-known and persecuted figure in the house church movement.
The police raided the event. Pastor Cao and Brother Chang with dozens of Christians were taken to the police station. All were eventually released except Brother Chang, who was notified he will remain in administrative detention for twelve days. What will happen next remains unclear.
Source: BITTER WINTER
