Detentions and Warnings

Posted on 16 October 2009.

As is often the case in the run-up to major events in China, the approach to the October 1st National Day celebrations saw a number of Christians detained and warned, and some house churches told not to hold meetings until the anniversary was over.

China Aid reported that a secret directive had called for government agencies to dismantle at least six major house churches before the end of August. Around that time, the Beijing Huajie Plaza received an order from the PSB to terminate its rental contract with the Beijing Shouwang house church. "One of the largest house churches in the area, Beijing Shouwang Church has been renting two floors for their worship and Sunday school services in Huajie Plaza for a few years. The church has over 1,000 members, and most of them are intellectuals from universities." (China Aid)

President of the Chinese House Church Alliance, Pastor Zhang Mingxuan was taken from his home in Beijing on 23 September and kept under house arrest in Henan province. Officials reportedly detained Pastor Zhang in order to "preserve stability in the province."

On 17 September, Pastor Hua Huiqi was also taken from his home in Beijing by police. Originally told he was being taken out for dinner to discuss his case, he was then taken to an unknown location. Later in the evening, a police officer went to Hua's home to collect some clothes.

In Shanghai, two house church leaders were detained and interrogated before being threatened with arrest if they continued to worship. And in other cities outside Beijing, there were also reports of police raids on house churches followed by warnings to stop meeting until after the October celebrations.

Pray for the individuals mentioned in the text and for others who have been detained because of the October National Day celebrations. Pray that God's peace might constantly fill them and that their behaviour might be a positive witness to the officials that they meet.

Pray for Christians who feel fearful because of police raids and warnings given about meeting in house churches. May they put their trust in the Lord and experience His perfect love that drives out all fear.

Pray that the authorities in China might recognise the positive influence that Christians have and turn from this policy of regular harassment of house church believers.