On September 30, at the “Faith Under Siege” conference held at the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center, Rev. Corey Jackson from North Carolina moderated a panel discussion.

Rev. Jackson is the senior pastor of Trinity Park Church in Cary, North Carolina, and the founder and president of the Luke Alliance, an initiative dedicated to bringing care and support to pastors.

The Presbyterian pastor emphasized that Western society often views China through the lens of geopolitics and economics. But as a pastor and Presbyterian evangelist, what he cares most about are “the hearts, minds, and souls of people”—not only those in America, but also in China.

Drawing connections to recent public events in American society, he called on Christians to pay attention to “what is happening to the hearts and souls of the Chinese people.”

He noted that although information from China is limited, available reports reveal a grim situation. Suicide rates are rising across different groups: young people despair over unemployment, the elderly struggle with pension issues, and even young women in rural areas face increasing pressures.

Rev. Jackson previously lived in China, studied Mandarin, and has long supported pastors from China.

He expressed concern that some people in China are losing the will to live. Moreover, if someone voices their emotions on social media, it may be regarded as a threat to public stability.

Citing a BBC report, he described China’s recent “Qinglang Campaign,” which aims to create a “more civilized and rational” online environment by cracking down on “negative emotions.” Rev. Jackson lamented that China is now seeking not only to control people’s thoughts and beliefs, but even their emotional responses.

As the head of the Luke Alliance, Jackson has for years followed the situation of the church in China. He highlighted the case of Pastor Wang Yi, currently imprisoned in Chengdu, as well as Beijing’s Zion Church. He stressed, however, that while these cases are important, “our concern is not limited to them, but extends to all in China who never make headlines, who simply want to work, raise their children, and hold fast to their faith traditions.”

“Chinese people don’t need to be controlled—they need to be cared for. They don’t need to be re-educated—they need to be resourced,” he summarized.

In contrast, he expressed gratitude that in the U.S., people can freely share their negative emotions and authentic stories, finding compassion and understanding amid shared humanity and differences of faith. “Thankfully, we live in a country where real stories can be told,” he said.

During the conference, Rev. Jackson also introduced several guests who shared their own experiences, giving voice to those in China who could not be present.

Originally Published on Chinese Gospel Herald 基督日報