In April 2001, Founder and Pastor of the South China Church, Gong Shengliang was arrested along with sixteen other South China Church leaders. He was convicted and given a death sentence for “using a heretical organization to undermine the implementation of the law’.”In 2006 his death sentence was reduced to life in prison.
In 2012 Pastor Gong Shengliang suffered a debilitating stroke which left him paralyzed on his left side. His family appealed his release on medical grounds, but their request was denied.
In 2022 it was reported that Pastor Gong was the only remaining South China Church member still in prison.
Pastor Gong completed his sentence in April 2025.
