In Beijing, police have detained dozens of churchgoers and leaders of Early Rain Church in Chengdu, one of China's most prominent Protestant ‘house’ churches, in the latest government action against unregistered religious groups. Members of the church have been unable to contact pastor Wang Yi, the church's founder, or his wife, and church groups on the instant messaging platform WeChat have also been blocked. China's constitution guarantees religious freedom, but since President Xi Jinping took office six years ago, the government has tightened restrictions on religions seen as a challenge to the authority of the ruling Communist Party. The law requires that all places of worship register and submit to government oversight, but some churches have declined to register, for various reasons.
China: church leaders and churchgoers detained
Written by David Fletcher 14 Dec 2018Additional Info
- Pray: for the release of these and all other believers being detained, and for religious freedoms to be restored in China. (Matthew 5:44)
- More: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLgLSA1gHCqC_wqOFvR27br8s7U1D2KhnH
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