We received a letter from one of our missionaries on the field asking for urgent prayer. Pastor Franklin from Zion Church in Shanghai was traveling to Shenzhen on October 9th when he was stopped and arrested by the authorities.
It is not clear what reason was given for the arrest and Pastor Franklin’s family have not been given any details of the situation. The police are not even disclosing his location to his family – this means they have no means of contact or knowing if he is okay.
The Chinese authorities have been known to take believers like Pastor Franklin to ‘black prisons’ which are buildings that do not resemble a prison and have no signage indicating its location. People can be taken to these locations and are not heard from for weeks or even months. This will surely be a very real fear for Pastor Franklin’s family.
As of today, Pastor Franklin remains in custody and no details of his situation have been disclosed. We pray for his strength and boldness, and for peace to surround his family.
Below is the full letter:
Jesus Jesus Jesus overshadow this stalwart family with Your amazing Love, Power , Mery & Grace … give them all Your favor and give favor to them with whomever they meet. Use them and others to advance Your Kingdom throughout China & BTJ
Blessings
“I will thank you, Lord, among all the people. I will sing your praises among the nations. For your unfailing love is as high as the heavens. Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds. “ Psalm 57:9–10
Firm Resolve brothers & sisters FIRM RESOLVE ️
Father thank you that you see and know all, and there is no place hidden from Your presence. Even darkness is as light to you, and if we settle on the far side of the sea your right hand holds us fast ( Psalm 139) Thank you that Pastor Franklin and all the other Pastors and leaders are engraved in the palm of your hand, and their cause is not disregarded by you( Is. 40). Please strengthen them and their families as they wait upon You and share in the sufferings of Christ. Bless them, fortify them by your Spirit in their inner man as they are persecuted for righteousness sake. ( Matt. 5) Comfort and encourage them by your word and an Angel even as you encouraged Paul and gave him boldness and courage in the mist of opposition. Oh Holy Father deliver your children we pray and use them as salt and light to their captors. Lord we ask for their lives and deliverance from sinful and evil men. May they feel the comfort of your presence and joy in the midst of suffering. Appoint grace for grace Lord Jesus for your glory.
Amen