A group of Chinese Christians who had been detained by Thai authorities and who were fearing deportation back to China are on their way to Texas, USA.
Pastor Bob Fu, lawyer and Texas-based human rights activist for China Aid, confirmed the news to Premier Christian News.
“This is truly a GOOD FRIDAY toward this Resurrection Sunday blessing to persecuted faithful in China and around the world. Barely a week ago members of the Mayflower were still incarcerated in a jail facing imminent danger of CCP [Communist Chinese Party] kidnapping threats. Now they are safe and free,” he said.
The 63 Shenzhen Reformed Holy Church members, also known as the Mayflower Church, had been in Thailand since September last year. The group was fined and arrested last week for overstaying their visas and taken to an immigration facility in Bangkok.
The group comprises 28 adults and 35 children and is expected to arrive in Texas on Friday evening.
Pastor Fu thanked the several international agencies which helped with the case, including International Religious Freedom Alliance led by UK MP Fiona Bruce and Lord David Alton.
“This is a successful example of nonpartisan international cooperation. I’m so thankful to all parties including various US government agencies,” Pastor Fu said.
“We are truly honored to be a part of this miracle. We will not rest until religious freedom is fully realized in China. God bless America and the persecuted Church,” he continued.
Reacting to the news, Fiona Bruce MP told Premier: “I welcome the wonderful news that the members of the Mayflower Church have been released and thank everyone involved for enabling this to happen.
“I extend my very best to everyone in the Mayflower Church group as they start this new stage in their lives and am thankful that the prayers of so many on their behalf have been answered. “
The group will hold a press conference at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport on Friday evening.