Tags
China
-
Evangelist Released for the Sixth Time This Year

Chen Wensheng
Photo: ChinaAidChen Wensheng has gained a reputation as a "Gospel Warrior" for his evangelistic work. After this former drug addict came to faith in Christ, he zealously desired to spread the wonderful news of the miraculous freedom he had experienced. Following examples of the disciples in the Bible, he travelled to many towns and cities preaching the Gospel and holding crosses with thought-provoking slogans such as "Glorious Saviour," "Repent," "Believe" and "Saved."
-
Christian High School Raided

On the morning of September 4th, the Maizi Christian Music High School in Harbin, Heilongjiang province, was raided by police, religious affairs officials and local school district administrators. All staff and students present were arrested.
-
Community Members Pressured to Reject Christians

Taken at Zhang Fan's wedding
Photo: WeChat via ChinaAidTwo separate incidents that recently took place in Chengdu, the capital of the Chinese province of Sichuan, demonstrate the effectiveness of the Chinese Communist Party authorities in dividing communities to bring about harassment of Christians and, in particular, members of the Early Rain Covenant Church (ERCC). The first incident involved the wedding of a congregation member from the church.
-
Raid on Home Church Gathering

Police monitor church members enjoying a "love feast."
Photo: ChinaAidOn the morning of Sunday, August 22nd, police raided a gathering of members from the Chengdu Early Rain Covenant Church as they met for worship. According to the police officers, someone reported that an illegal assembly was taking place at the location. When the officers tried to enter the room, the home church group leader, Preacher Dai, asked to see a search warrant. However, the officers refused and demanded identification from everyone present.
-
Church Leader Formally Arrested

Zhao Weikai
Photo: ChinaAidOn July 20th, the Wenshui County procuratorate approved the arrest of Zhao Weikai, a leader of the Xuncheng Reformed Church in Taiyuan, Shanxi Province. The Public Security Bureau also issued an arrest notice for his wife, Li Xin. Brother Zhao has been charged with "illegal holding of materials promoting terrorism and extremism."
-
Memorial Service Raided

Before and after the Christian symbols were removed.
Photo: ChinaAidIn Guiyang City, a Christian memorial service was being prepared at a local funeral home when government officials raided the venue. Any item of a religious nature was removed, and officials demanded that there be no prayer, singing of hymns, or reading of Scripture at the service. When the memorial was held the next day, officers monitored the entrance of the building, prohibiting anyone from bringing musical instruments into the venue and threatening those who attempted to do so.
-
Preacher's Family Locked in Their Home

Chain-locked door at the minister's home.
Photo: Early Rain ChurchMembers of the Early Rain Covenant Church in Sichuan, China, continue to face harassment as authorities attempt to shut down their unregistered church. While the head pastor, Wang Yi, is serving a nine-year prison sentence, other members of the church have also encountered consistent persecution.
-
Pastor's Life Threatened by Government Official

Pastor Yang Hua
Photo: ChinaAidThe Living Stone Church in Guiyang City has faced repeated persecution from Chinese authorities. Imprisoned on December 9th, 2015, Pastor Yang Hua suffered mistreatment until his release in June 2018 (see this report). After his release, he continued to serve the church despite ongoing opposition. Another pastor of the church, Su Tianfu, was imprisoned in May 2018 for one year and then served six months of house arrest.
-
China's Digital Clampdown

The government-run Shamian Christian Church bookstore prominently displays Xi Jinping's books.
Photo: ChinaAidAs part of the ongoing crackdown on Christianity in China, Communist authorities have removed Bible apps and blocked Christian "WeChat" public accounts. Additionally, hard copies of Bibles are no longer available for sale online, and bookstores owned by the state-sanctioned Three-Self Churches have been increasingly displaying the teachings of President Xi Jinping rather than Christian books.
-
Raids Against Banned Churches

Police checking every church attendee's identification.
Photo: ChinaAidIn May 2019, local authorities informed the Xunsiding Church in Xiamen, China, that they intended to officially close it down. Church members were threatened with the loss of their jobs unless they complied and, on May 19th, dozens of officers, including those of SWAT teams, raided the church service. In the following days, officers remained on site to ensure no one re-entered the facility (see this report for further details).
