More Churches Raided and Believers Detained in China

Shared by Dr. Bob Fu and ChinaAid on Facebook, recent updates suggest that the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is growing increasingly uneasy. Signs of concern are emerging as pressure mounts both domestically and internationally.

Ningmeng, Special Correspondent for ChinaAid, reported that on Sunday, June 29, Fuyang Maizhong Reformed Church in Anhui Province was raided while they were in worship. Nineteen believers including four children were seized by the police. The police then broke into Pastor Zhang Sen’s house, taking his wife. The church’s branch, Covenant Chapel (Evangelism Station) was also attacked, and its pastor Chang Shun and Elder Ma Tao were also taken away. Their current situation is unknown.

Maizhong Church is part of the Anhui Presbytery of the Chinese Reformed Presbyterian Church, and is a part of the Confessing Movement in the PCC. Members have declined to register with the government-sanctioned Three-Self Church. For years they have been subject to consistent harassment, surveillance, and arrests. In 2023, the church was banned, but members of the church have continued to meet to pray and study, often in smaller groups in case of detention.

This year, two members were wrongfully sentenced on charges of “cult activity” and sent to a 15-day detention center, the first administrative sentence of this type to target a Reformed house church. Police have also bypassed legal due process and the appeals process. In addition, the church is facing campaigns of defamation and increased pressure from local authorities in an effort to isolate and destabilize the church’s fellowship.

In the face of this pressure, Fuyang Maizhong Church has remained strong. Their witness to the gospel, their strong community, and the deep discipleship of believers is powerful testimony to the strength of Christ’s Body in China. In the words of Paul, “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair.” (2 Corinthians 4:8)

Shared first from Dr. Bob Fu and ChinaAid, we must stand in solidarity with these brothers and sisters. As 1 Corinthians 12: 26 says, “If one part suffers, every part suffers with it.” Let’s pray for them, and be encouraged that no government can suppress the power of the gospel or divide the Body of Christ.