Early Rain Church Faces Violent Raid

Screenshot of a choir singing
The choir continues to sing “Near the Cross” during the raid.
Photo: ChinaAid

The Early Rain Covenant Church has been a target of Chinese Communist Party officials since the church was raided in December 2018 (read more). The church's lead pastor, Wang Yi, was sentenced to nine years in prison and other members have faced detention and pressure. Despite ongoing intimidation and arrests, the ministry of the church has faithfully continued, though generally online or in small groups.

In January of this year, the church decided to resume meeting as a larger group. However, the authorities had them evicted each time, forcing them to move to different venues. On March 12th, police once again forcefully raided the church.

At 8:50 a.m. that day, one church leader, Jia Xuewei, was violently removed from the meeting and then beaten when he failed to show identification. As the service began at 9 a.m., the supply of electricity was abruptly shut off to the room where their meeting was being held. Despite this interference, the service continued anyways with preacher Wu Wuqing leading. An hour later, several officials stormed the pulpit and shut off the computer that was being used for the live broadcast. Other officers began seizing cell phones, and pushing some of the worshippers to the ground, resulting in several injuries. Throughout the violence and mayhem, the choir quietly sang the hymn, "Near the Cross."

While the almost 100 believers in attendance left peacefully, they then gathered downstairs to continue worshipping. Some of the leaders, along with a group of church members, were taken to the police station. Other church members gathered outside the station to sing hymns and provide water and food to those who had been arrested during the recent raid. Thankfully, the detained congregants were released later that evening.

To read more about the ongoing persecution encountered by members of this church, and many other Christians in China, go to our country report. Please note, that along with the provided written reports, this webpage features numerous video reports and interviews. In September 2022, Closer to the Fire podcast host Greg Musselman interviewed special guest Dr. Bob Fu of ChinaAid about the increasing crackdown against house churches in China. To view the report, go to this page.

Please remember the leaders and congregational members of the Early Rain Covenant Church in your prayers. Although the members of this church continue to be targeted by governing Communist officials, may they persist in seeking ways to gather together for worship. Pray that God will further strengthen Pastor Wang Yi and provide needed guidance to those who are faithfully leading the ministry of the church despite ongoing oppression. May the actions, words and attitudes of the persecuted church members be a powerful testimony to all the officials opposing them.

  • 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

  • House Church Bible Study Gathering Raided
    Three police officers are browsing through a phone as a church member looks on.
    One of the church members being interrogated by police.
    Photo: ChinaAid

    Several Christians were gathered on the morning of August 22nd for a Bible study at the Beijing Holy Love Fellowship church when multiple police officers suddenly entered the facility. After demanding to see the believers' identification cards, the authorities recorded the personal details of all those who were present. At the time of publishing this report, no official statement or charges have been issued by the Beijing police.

  • Pastor Arrested for "Illegal Business Operations"
    Huang Yizi is speaking on the phone while in prison.
    Pastor Huang Yizi
    Photo: ChinaAid

    Pastor Huang Yizi, a prominent church leader in Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province, was informed on July 30th that he had been formally charged with "illegal business practices" relating to the distribution of sermon recordings. The Christian leader and several other church members were initially taken into custody on June 26th. At the time, the reason for their arrests was unclear. (A previously published report about the arrests is available here.) However, following the recent announcement of formal charges, further information has now come to light.

  • Detained Pastor's Family Faces Harassment
    Chang Shun is holding his little boy. Both are smiling.
    Pastor Chang Shun with one of his children.
    Photo: ChinaAid

    Since 2021, Pastor Chang Shun of the Maizhong Reformed Church in Fuyang City has encountered ongoing harassment from Chinese authorities. Unfortunately, all his appeals, in response to the multiple administrative detentions and fines he received over the years, have been unsuccessful. In 2023, Pastor Chang's church was officially banned by the government. Most recently, the harassed church leader was detained on June 29th during a raid by law enforcement officers. In this latest occurrence, he was taken into custody alongside Elder Ma Tao on suspicion of "organizing illegal gatherings." Several visiting friends and family members of Pastor Chang were also detained. Authorities forcibly relocated the visiting individuals, loading their belongings onto trucks and sending them back to their hometowns with strict orders not to return to Fuyang.

  • Christian Lawyer Remains Missing After Eight Years
    Gao Zhisheng is standing in front of a building dressed in a dark blue jacket.
    Gao Zhisheng
    Photo: ChinaAid

    For many years, Gao Zhisheng was a bold advocate for persecuted religious communities in China. While serving as a lawyer representing various faith groups, he himself was frequently harassed and arrested. In 2005, Gao's law practice was shut down by the government after he publicly condemned the human rights violations that were being committed against practitioners of a religious movement known as Falun Gong.