Coordinated Church Raids Continue Throughout China

ChinaAid 21 November 2024

A large group of Chengdu Early Rain Church members are kneeling in prayer together. — Christian worshippers in China.
Photo: ChinaAid

Recent incidents of police action against churches in China demonstrate the ongoing persecution of believers throughout this Communist nation. These raids are only the latest to occur amid the government's intensifying crackdown on Christianity. To learn more about the governmental opposition experienced by Christians in China, go to our country report.

On November 10th, the Putian Puguang Church in Fujian was stormed by police during the believers' Sunday worship service. As a result of the raid, three pastors – along with three other staff members – were taken into custody and detained at the local police station.

A week prior to this incident, churches in several parts of the country were simultaneously raided by national security personnel. Several house churches in Nanjing were attacked and, in one particular case, a pastor and seven other Christians were detained. The police warned the church members that because their meeting place has not been officially registered with the Communist government, it's illegal.

In Changsha, Hunan Province, several house churches were also raided on November 3rd. The largest of these congregations, the Grace Light Church, has been subjected to weekly interruptions by police for refusing to join the government-recognized Three-Self Patriotic Movement. Although members of the Grace Light Church presently meet in five different locations throughout the city, a substantial number of officers stormed the church's various locations simultaneously.

On behalf of the many believers in China who are encountering ongoing harassment from the government, pray that the Holy Spirit will continue to comfort, sustain and refresh their weary souls while they patiently endure opposition. As a result, may they increase in spiritual fervour and strength, providing them the empowerment to not only respond in a Christ-like manner, but also faithfully proclaim the Gospel message throughout their communities so multitudes more will personally acknowledge Jesus as their Saviour.

Current Ministry Projects
The Voice of the Martyrs Canada continues to help distribute Bibles to Christians in the country, making it possible for them to have their own printed version of God's Word. Additionally, VOMC works with various mission partners to facilitate a Biblical understanding of persecution and discipleship, while presenting ways to effectively respond and minister within the context of hostility.

Project Funds: Underground Church, Bible, Relief & Development
Country Information
Population
1,413,142,846 (2023 est.)

Ethnicity (%)
Han Chinese (91.1), ethnic minorities (8.9 - includes Zhang, Hui, Manchu, Uighur, Miao, Yi, Tujia, Tibetan, Mongol, Dong, Buyei, Yao, Bai, Korean, Hani, Li, Kazakh, Dai, and other nationalities) (2021 est.)

Religion (%)
Folk religion (21.9), Buddhist (18.2), Christian (5.1), Muslim (1.8), Hindu (< 0.1), Jewish (< 0.1), other (0.7 - includes Daoist [Taoist]), unaffiliated (52.1) (2021 est.)

Leader
President Xi Jinping (2013)

Government type
Communist party-led state

Legal system
Based on civil law system; influenced by Soviet and continental European civil law systems

Sources: CIA World Factbook
Pray for China
Pray that the Gospel will be proclaimed throughout China without government interference so many more names can be added to the Lamb's "Book of Life." May there also be a spirit of unity demonstrated among the country's growing churches, further strengthening existing believers and spurring them on in their ministry service and evangelistic outreach within the country's numerous communities.

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