NEWS PROVIDED BY
China Aid Association
July 11, 2023

WASHINGTON, July 11, 2023 /Christian Newswire/ -- Pastor Pan Yongguang of the Mayflower Church and Dr. Bob Fu of China Aid Association will attend an interfaith meeting on Capitol Hill. Prominent religious leaders from the Christian, Jewish, Muslim, and Buddhist faiths will address the dire state of religious freedom in Communist China.

The congressional interfaith roundtable hearing is hosted by Chairman of the Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party Mike Gallagher (R-WI).

Pastor Pan and 63 members of the Mayflower Church arrived in Dallas, Texas, in April 2023 after nearly four years of fleeing from the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Thanks to the efforts of Bob Fu, elected officials, and government agencies, the Mayflower Church received humanitarian parole. The exiled Christians now reside in Tyler, Texas.

The Select Committee on the CCP investigates threats posed by the Communist Party as well as solutions to defend American interests. At the roundtable discussion, Pastor Pan will reflect on the severe persecution he and his church faced in China as well as their escape for religious freedom. Meanwhile, Dr. Fu will highlight cases concerning the recent trend of "fraud" charges against house church pastors.

Leaders of prominent religions will also reflect on the CCP's oppression of religious minorities. Speakers include Pastor Bob Roberts, the Founding Global Pastor of Northwood Church; Imam Hajim, a Uyghur Imam living in the United States; Bhuchung Tsering of the International Campaign for Tibet; Pastor Corey Jackson, the Strategic Advisor, for The China Partnership; Tony Perkins, President of the Family Research Council; and Father Kurt Klismet, President of the Trinitarian International Solidarity.

In addition, they will be joined by Ambassador Sam Brownback, the former Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom, as well as United States Commission on International Religious Freedom commissioners.

Before the hearing, Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), Chair of the Congressional-Executive Commission on China, will host a press conference with Pastor Pan, Rep. Nathaniel Moran (R-TX), and Bob Fu. The press conference will be held at 10:00 AM ET.

Chairman Smith advocated for the Mayflower Church heavily during their three-and-a-half-year journey. Once the Mayflower Church was captured by Thailand immigration in April 2023, Smith assisted the Christians' arrival to the United States. Congressman Moran, who represents the Tyler, Texas, district, welcomed the Chinese congregation with open arms.

SOURCE China Aid Association

CONTACT: Jonathan Dingler, Communications Director, j.dingler@chinaaid.org