Rachel (not her real name) got a text message on her phone that her church in Shanghai was going to meet today on Sunday. Her church had not come together on Sunday for more than six months. Because of the increase of persecution against Christians in Shanghai, Rachel’s church had to change the meeting to days of the week that were less obvious for police than Sunday.

Rachel has been sad that their family could not attend church on Sunday morning since persecution increased last year. Her and her husband both work full-time jobs and Sunday is the most convenient day to meet.

This morning when she arrived at church with her two children after seeing the text, she was met by one of the church members who was guarding the entrance to the building where the fellowship was coming together.

“Sorry Rachel,” the young gentleman kindly said, “your children can’t attend the church service.”

“What? Why?”

“It is still not safe enough for children. If the police come, we do not want to put any of the children in danger. The pastor feels that it can be too traumatic for young children to experience a police raid if they find out that we are meeting this morning.”

Rachel was forced to leave the church with her children.  Rachel works together with BTJ and was crying when she shared her story with us this morning by phone.

As you attend church this Sunday morning please remember to pray for the persecuted believers in China who do not necessarily have the same privilege. And if you have children that attend Sunday School please ask them to remember the children in other parts of the world like China when they pray.