Arrests of Inquiring Loved Ones

China Aid 21 February 2019

Children of the Early Rain Covenant Church -- Photo: China Aid www.chinaaid.org — Children meet at Early Rain Covenant Church.
Photo: China Aid

Five relatives were taken into custody after gathering outside a police station to ask about their loved ones on February 15th.

On December 9th, around 100 members of the Early Rain Covenant Church, located in the city of Chengdu, had been taken into custody (see this report). At last report, several were still imprisoned. Concerned about the condition of their detained loved ones, and wanting more information, family members gathered outside the police station with their small children.

As officers monitored them, one Christian heard the officials debating about whether to arrest them. At around 8 p.m. that evening, four spouses -- along with a child from one of the families -- were taken into custody and accused of "illegal gathering."

Continue to lift up the many Christians imprisoned in China for their faith. Pray that concerned family members will receive greatly needed news of their detained loved ones. Ask the Lord to strengthen and encourage each of these separated families. Likewise, may those who are imprisoned also be able to rest in the knowledge that their family members at home are in the hands of a loving God.

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.

China News

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One of the church members being interrogated by police.
Photo: ChinaAid

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Pastor Huang Yizi
Photo: ChinaAid

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Pastor Chang Shun with one of his children.
Photo: ChinaAid

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Gao Zhisheng
Photo: ChinaAid

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