“But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one”
The Voice of Martyrs Korea (VOM Korea) reported on the 24th that the church in China has not given up on worship despite the continued oppression of the authorities and is operating vigorously with new leaders being established. At 9 a.m. on Sunday, September 1, a face-to-face service at the Early Rain Covenant Church in Chengdu City, where about 50 church members gathered, was stopped by the police.
The police arrested and investigated Elder Li Yingqiang, Elder Yan Hong, Preacher Wu Wuqing, and Deacon Zeng Qingtao on charges of “illegal activities in the name of social organisation.” All four were later detained at the Chengdu Detention Center for 14 days by Wuhou Public Security Bureau.
The raid is the latest in a series of actions against the Early Rain Covenant Church since the arrest of Senior pastor Wang Yi and more than 100 church members on Dec. 9, 2018. Pastor Wang Yi was sentenced to nine years in prison for “subversion of state power and incitement of illegal business operations” by the Chengdu Intermediate People’s Court on Dec. 30, 2019, and is currently serving his sentence.
According to the Korea VOM, police immediately blocked the area. However, the place of worship was blocked by church members, and dozens of church members worshipped together downstairs. Elder Yan Hong continued to lead the service but was taken away by the police, after which Deacon Zeng Qingtao came forward to lead the service, but he was immediately taken away, as well.
When the church members were worshipping, the building manager cut off the electricity under the pressure of the police and played patriotic songs and Chinese cartoons loudly but the church members continued to worship unaffected. As the church members began to read the sermon message delivered by Pastor Wang Yi on the Ephesians a few years ago, the police tried to arrest Deacon Xiaoluobao.
The police told them no one would be taken into custody if they disperse quietly. After the church members dispersed, they continued to meet in small groups elsewhere. Shortly after the four leaders were detained, in a prayer letter, the Early Rain Covenant Church thanked all the churches and brothers and sisters for praying for the church and requested prayers that their church leaders’ bodies and souls would rest and be filled with God’s grace as God continuously protect the Early Rain Covenant Church and the four detained church leaders.
VOM Korea emphasized, “Many Christians around the world would think that the Early Rain Covenant Church, which has been constantly attacked by the authorities for years, would have given up and closed by now. However, despite officials’ consistent indignations, the Lord is providing the Early Rain Covenant Church continue to operate and establishes new leaders while Pastor Wang Yi is imprisoned.” (Source: Gospel Prayer Newspaper)
As for other matters, brothers and sisters, pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with you. And pray that we may be delivered from wicked and evil people, for not everyone has faith. But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one. (2 Thessalonians 3:1-3)
God, we bless and pray for the Early Rain Covenant Church that does not give up worshipping the Lord out of the joy of the Holy Spirit despite many hardships. Would You scold the unjust and evil Chinese authorities and let those who are detained be released soon. Let the church of China rise in grace as a stronger church for Jesus as the people of the Lord lean on You and pray with whole hearts. In China, where religious life is regarded as illegal and people cannot worship freely, we praise You as You would make the gospel spread further and glorify it.
Prayer 24·365
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