A Canadian missionary to China has been released from being held by the Chinese government for two years.
Kevin Garrett and his wife, Julia, according to ChristianToday.com, lived in China for 30 years where they did missionary work and ran a Christian coffee shop.
In 2014, Garrett and Julia were arrested in Dandong, a city on the North Korea border, and accused of carrying out tasks from “Canadian espionage agencies to gather intelligence in China.”
Julia was released on bail in February 2015, but Kevin was kept in custody.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau helped to secure his release, and Garrett arrived at Vancouver International Airport on Thursday.
“We are grateful for your persistence in securing Mr. Garratt’s freedom, and your defence of the core Canadian principle of freedom of religion,” said Bruce Clemenger, president of the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada, to Trudeau and his government, who, Clemenger added “assiduously worked together” for Garrett’s release.
The Garrett family also issued a statement, thanking those who worked to secure Kevin’s release, as well as those who had joined together in prayer.