Washington D.C. – China Aid, Apr. 27, 2026
April 26, 2026, marks the 40th anniversary of Pastor John Cao’s (曹三强) ministry. Pastor Hong Yujian (洪予健) shared a message from Pastor Cao at his hospital bedside on Facebook yesterday. It captures the moving moment of his reunion with his wife, Jamie Powell (鲍洁敏), after nine years apart. However, this reunion did not take place in the warmth of home but within the confines of a hospital room, highlighting a nine-year tragedy of separation and the hardships of a missionary journey.
Pastor Cao’s imprisonment began in March 2017. At the time, he was engaged in cross-border missionary and charitable educational initiatives along the China–Myanmar border. He was arrested while returning from Wa State in Myanmar to Pu’er, Yunnan. In 2018, a local court sentenced him to seven years in prison for “organizing illegal border crossings,” along with a fine.
Observers widely believe that this sentence reflected a severe crackdown on cross-border missionary activities. Although Pastor John Cao had long-established schools in Myanmar and carried out anti-drug and poverty alleviation efforts, earning recognition locally, these humanitarian services ultimately came at the cost of years of imprisonment. Even after completing his sentence, various factors continued to keep him separated from his wife and children in the United States, until this long-awaited reunion at his hospital bedside.
In his message, Pastor John Cao expressed deep gratitude and apology to his wife, Jamie. He reflected that nine years ago, she had attempted to visit him at the detention center but was unsuccessful. Their reunion has now come in a hospital, while he remains not fully free.
“I owe you too much love; I could never repay you in this lifetime,” Pastor John Cao said, calling his wife “the greatest servant,” who silently bore the heavy cost of his missionary calling.
