On March 31, ChristianPersecution.com reported that these refugees had been arrested in Thailand and could be returned to China. Instead, they made it to the U.S., for which we are grateful to Almighty God and His All-Holy Mother.
For background on Orthodox Christianity in China, see here.
For previous ChristianPersecution.com coverage of the persecution of Christians in China, see here.
“63 refugees flee religious persecution to resettle in Tyler,” by Katecey Harrell, Tyler Morning Telegraph, April 15, 2023:
Sixty-three refugees were formally welcomed to Tyler on Friday afternoon by nonprofit agency leaders, church pastors, supporters and U.S. Rep. Nathaniel Moran.
South Spring Baptist Chapel rang with praise as 63 refugees were welcomed to Tyler on Friday afternoon by nonprofit agency leaders, church pastors, supporters and U.S. Rep. Nathaniel Moran.
The gathering served as a time to celebrate international religious freedom, said Deana Brown, founder and CEO of Freedom Seekers International. Thousands of people prayed in support as dozens of U.S. personnel battled to grant humanitarian parole for these individuals.
“We initially got involved with the ‘Mayflower’ case back in early 2021 after they had fled to an island off the coast of South Korea,” said Brown. “Many of their relatives and peers back on the mainland of China have been arrested or threatened because of their faith. Freedom Seekers International has been working with a number of nonprofit, government, and religious freedom agencies to advocate for this group.”
Last week, the group’s dreams became a reality when the United States officially granted them an open door to resettle in East Texas….
After a three-year journey out of oppression from under the Chinese Communist Party to America, Friday was a day of victory, Moran said….
“What’s been reaffirmed to me throughout this process is we are a land of liberty. The gospel of Jesus Christ is a gospel of liberty,” Moran said. “It’s a great combination because we know when we put our faith and trust in Jesus Christ, he’s gonna come through for us.”
