The Chinese Communist Party deployed more than 1,000 police officers to conduct Christmas raids in the city of Wenzhou.
According to reports, on December 13, in an effort to stop any Christmas celebrations, massive SWAT team raids were launched throughout the city of Wenzhou on Christian churches and hundreds of Christians were arrested. As a result, many Christian leaders will spend Christmas in prison.
The operation lasted nearly five days, where roads leading to churches were closed, Bibles and hymnals were confiscated, and belongings of relevant individuals were illegally taken away.
Two local Christian leaders seem to be at the center of the raids – 58-year-old Lin Enzhao and 54-year-old Lin Enci. Their faces were posted on China’s most wanted posters for “provoking trouble” – a charge that is commonly used against Christians. The Communist Party of China often charge Christians with “disrupting social harmony” or with a similar charge.
Live Video has been released on X apparently showing tactical police units before their raid on Christian churches.
No public statement was issued by officials, but the Communist Party launched fireworks in celebration of the crackdowns.
One week before the raids, BTJ hosted a secret meeting with church leaders from Wenzhou who represented churches of more than 10,000 members.
“During the Christmas season we focus on sharing the Gospel with Children,” Pastor Enoch (not his real name) shared with BTJ. “We often handout backpacks as gifts for the children to use for school.”
Pastor Enoch is one of the most well-known pastors in Wenzhou and has been one of the few leaders to build an official church building that holds thousands in attendance every week. “Christmas is a time of evangelism,” he said.
The Chinese government knows that Christmas is one of the most important holidays in China which is why they launched the raid.
To stand in solidarity with the persecuted Christians in China, BTJ has recorded underground house church believers singing songs of praise and worship that are often sung during Christmas in China. If you would like to listen to those songs of the persecuted underground house church, you can download them by simply clicking below:
why not UN or USA put pressure on chinese goverment?They persecute christians. Celebratung Christmas us not harming like bombing