CHINA: MAPPING AND RECAPPING JUNES “MASSIVE UPSURGE” IN CHRISTIAN PERSECUTION CHINA: MAPPING AND RECAPPING JUNES “MASSIVE UPSURGE” IN CHRISTIAN PERSECUTION
Voice of the Martyrs Korea is reporting what they call a “massive upsurge” in Christian persecution across China in June.
“In recent weeks, authorities literally in the north, south, east, and west of China have detained, questioned, or investigated house church believers and ministry workers, reflecting a significant increase in pressure on unregistered Christian congregations,” says Voice of the Martyrs Korea Representative Dr. Hyun Sook Foley. She says that her organization and their US-based partner ChinaAid are tracking the cases but that due to strict controls on public information, details remain limited.
The following roundup from Voice of the Martyrs Korea and ChinaAid summarizes June persecution activity.
Northwest China: Mass Arrest in Qinghai, Incident in Shihezi, Xinjiang
On June 12, authorities in Qinghai Province reportedly detained six preachers, including an elder surnamed Song, during a kneeling prayer gathering at a private residence. As of the date of this publication, none had been released.
According to information received by Voice of the Martyrs Korea and ChinaAid, some of those detained had previously participated in online Bible study courses conducted via Zoom by Brother Yun, a former house church preacher from Henan known as the “heavenly man”, who now lives in Germany.
Separately, Voice of the Martyrs Korea and ChinaAid received reports of an incident involving a church in Shihezi, Xinjiang. Additional details and background information remain under verification.
June 14 raid on Early Rain Covenant Church in Chengdu, China.
Eastern China: Linyi, Shandong Province
Voice of the Martyrs Korea and ChinaAid learned that several church members in Linyi were detained for more than 24 hours in June. Reportedly, some believers received administrative detention penalties, while others were summoned for questioning by government agencies, including the Bureau of Culture and Tourism.
Eastern China: Anhui Province and Jiaozuo, Henan Province
Arrests of Christians were reported in Anhui Province during May, with some individuals reportedly placed in criminal detention on allegations of “fraud.”
Voice of the Martyrs Korea and ChinaAid also received word of reported action against a church in Jiaozuo, Henan Province, though further details remain under verification.
South China: Guangzhou, Guangdong Province
Developments continue in a case involving the distribution of Christian books and other religious materials. After three believers were released on bail pending trial, authorities reportedly arrested another Christian connected to the case.
June 14 raid on Early Rain Covenant Church in Chengdu, China.
Southwest China: Raid of Early Rain Covenant Church in Chengdu, Sichuan
During a Sunday worship service on June 14, authorities reportedly deployed a large number of public security officers and religious affairs officials to raid a gathering of Early Rain Covenant Church in Chengdu.
The service was interrupted, and several pastors, church workers, and congregants – 33 believers in total – were taken into custody for questioning. Most of the believers were released that evening. However, elders Wu Wuqing and Yan Hong were sentenced to 15 and 14 days administrative detention respectively, which they are currently serving.
“Just as there was a record-breaking summer ‘surge’ in temperatures in several countries around the world in June, there was a surge in Christian persecution in China that shows no signs of letting up,” says Representative Foley. “When we see this level of anti-Christian activity by authorities across a wide geographical area of China, we know that something more is happening than just local law enforcement activity against specific congregations. We are continuing to assess the situation and urge Christians everywhere to watch it with us closely and prayerfully.”
Individuals interested in learning about or supporting Voice of the Martyrs Korea’s work in partnership with persecuted Christians in China can visit www.vomkorea.com/en/china.