February 19, 2002
The Betrayal Begins in Earnest

Today, February 19, the four-day China Church Symposium begins in
Pasadena, California. The stated purpose of the event is to "explore
opportunities for East-West communications and partnerships." Discussions
will include "understanding religious liberty issues." The problem is
that the entire Chinese delegation which will be the benefactors of the
symposium are all either officials of the Chinese Communist state church
(the CCC and TSPM) or officials of the state Religious Affairs Bureau. In
spite of this, the sponsors of the symposium state in their promotional
literature that these individuals "will give us a comprehensive view of
the state of the church in China."

Last week, WCU put out a press release to alert Christian Americans to
this betrayal of the true Body of Christ in China. We also asked
Christians on our e-mail network to speak up for their suffering brothers
and sisters in China by contacting several sponsors of the Pasadena
symposium, including Prison Fellowship International. According to PFI,
they have received many contacts from our network.

Yesterday, Pastor Ralph Ovadal spoke with Ron Nikkel, the President of
PFI. Mr. Nikkel staunchly defended his decision to host a gathering of
Chinese Communist puppets and officials masquerading as Christians. He
insisted the situation in China is "complex" and called Pastor Ovadal's
press release "stupid." Mr. Nikkel also would not agree to at least give
members of the underground church in China a chance to speak at this
year's or even next year's symposium.

"There is nothing complex about China and the Church of Jesus Christ.
There are two churches. One is a puppet church which dances to the
Communists' tune and features Party members in positions of authority.
The other is the true Church which is being hounded and persecuted for
being true to the gospel and its Author. Does Ron Nikkel and the other
Americans hosting this symposium realize that it is unlawful for pastors
in the TSPM church to preach the true gospel of Christ? Do they realize
that it it unlawful for them to preach that Jesus Christ is Lord of lords
and King of kings? Will those Americans ask their Chinese comrades why
Pastor Gong is facing death based on allegation of rape forced out of
several teenage girls through brutal torture? Will they speak up for the
millions of Christian Chinese who face sanctions ranging up to and
including death simply because they love the Lord their God with all
their heart, mind, soul, and strength? From all indications, they will
not do so; and thus they will compound their betrayal of the suffering
Chinese church."
-Ralph Ovadal, Pastor, Christ the King Church and Director, Wisconsin
Christians United

. Religious Affairs Bureau: The RAB oversees the administration of state
religious policy and often calls upon the Public Security Bureau (the
Chinese intelligence and police service) for arrests, surveillance, and
implementation of its policy. RAB personnel are appointed by the
Communist Party and most are Party members.

. Three-Self Patriotic Movement: The TSPM, the state church, is very
political in nature, touting Communist Party policies within the church.
The Party or TSPM leadership, who are often Party members, select TSPM
pastors who must remain politically loyal. Many TSPM personnel are
Communist agents.

. China Church Council: The CCC, TSPM's sister organization, constitutes
the leadership structure of the state church, promoting Party policies
and presenting a propagandized image of the church in China to
foreigners. The CCC implemented the "Ten Don'ts for Churches," which
includes prohibitions of young people in churches, the preaching on
Revelation, and unregistered churches.