CNHRA PERSON RECORD · CNHRA-P-219261
Pan Yongguang
Born
Unknown
Occupation
Christian pastor
Role
Religious Figure
Record ID
CNHRA-P-219261
Biography
Pan Yongguang pastors Shenzhen Holy Reformed Church, known as the Mayflower Church following its collective departure from China to seek religious freedom. He led members and relatives through asylum efforts in South Korea and Thailand before resettlement in Texas.[1]
In a 2024 Plough interview, Pan says he was baptized at Easter 2003 and later became a house-church pastor. He describes police entering services and ordering worship to stop, as well as demands that he report church activities.[2]
ChinaAid records the church’s departure for Jeju, South Korea, in late 2019 and subsequent move to Thailand while awaiting refugee procedures. The organization assisted with resettlement and documents the members’ 2023 arrival in the United States and later move to the Midland–Odessa area.[1]
Case Summary
Thai authorities detained church members and relatives in Pattaya on March 30, 2023 for overstaying visas and transferred them to immigration detention. ChinaAid reports that, following U.S. government intervention, most families reached Texas on Good Friday that year.[1]
On May 26, 2023, the final family of five, whose journey had been delayed by a pregnancy, arrived in Dallas and reunited with the church. Members moved from Tyler to Midland–Odessa in late December; from 2024, First Baptist Church Midland provided worship space.[1]
Timeline
2003
Baptized at Easter
In his Plough interview, Pan recalls baptism at Easter 2003 after a period of Bible study, followed later by ministry in a house church.[2]
2019
Leads members out of China
ChinaAid records Pan leading members and relatives to Jeju in late 2019. The church continued seeking asylum and subsequently moved to Thailand.[1]
2023-03-30
Members detained in Thailand
Thai authorities detained members and relatives in Pattaya for overstaying visas and placed them in immigration detention. Aid organizations subsequently coordinated their resettlement in the United States.[1]
2023-04-07
Most families arrive in Texas
ChinaAid records most families arriving in Texas on Good Friday 2023 to begin resettlement. One family’s journey was delayed because of a pregnancy nearing term.[1]
2023-05-26
Final family arrives and reunites
The final family of five arrived in Dallas and reunited with fellow members. ChinaAid subsequently updated the church’s housing, employment and language-learning circumstances.[1]
2023-12
Move to Midland–Odessa
Members left Tyler in late December for long-term homes in Midland–Odessa. First Baptist Church Midland began providing worship space in 2024.[1]
Related Events
Sources
- [1]
CNHRA-S-403168ChinaAid
Evidence location: Background, From South Korea to Thailand and Building A Home: migration, Thai detention, 2023 arrival and 2024 worship arrangements.
- [2]
CNHRA-S-382765Plough
Evidence location: Opening of Pan’s interview: 2003 baptism, house church and police interruption of worship.