Pastor Zhang Shaojie and his three family members escaped from China to the U.S. through the assistance of activists after authorities allegedly harassed them for an extended period of time.

Together with his daughter Zhang Huixin, son-in-law Sun Zhulei, and grandchild Sun Jiexi, Zhang arrived in Dallas, Texas and they are now on their way to Midland, U.S.-based Christian rights group China Aid said. Activists helped them escape via Southeast Asia, South China Morning Post relayed.

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Zhang, the leader of the Nanle County Christian Church in the Henan province, got a 12-year jail sentence over fraud and public order disturbance charges. Although the communist government sanctioned the church, it was embroiled in a spat with local authorities over the construction of a new building on a certain property.

Property disputes are fairly common in mainland China, but Zhang's popularity encouraged Christians to support him and fight for religious freedom.

After receiving the prison sentence, Zhang's elderly parents experienced being threatened and harassed, according to China Aid founder Bob Fu. The police also confiscated his daughter's car and Nanle officials prompted government agencies to request the court for a heavier sentence.

Chinese security personnel also blocked Fu's three family members at the Beijing airport from leaving the country last month, Fu added. The authorities said the travel restriction was imposed because of "national security" issues.

To help Zhang, Fu went to Southeast Asia to tap an activist network that helped the three escape from China and gain entry into the U.S. The family received a one-year authorization to stay in the country and they could later on decide to seek asylum to gain religious freedom.

Zhang's daughter, son-in-law and granddaughter arrived safely in Midland, Texas yesterday. Fu said they stayed in a guesthouse run by the First Baptist Church.

In an email sent to Fu, Zhang Huixin thanked the U.S. government and other church leaders for helping their family gain freedom. She also said their purpose for coming to the U.S. was to increase awareness of the decreasing religious freedom in China.

TagsJailed Pastor Bob Fu, China religious crackdown