For the third time in two months, Chinese authorities have rounded up large numbers of house church leaders as they gathered together for mutual encouragement and fellowship. In the latest incident, more than one hundred house church leaders were arrested on August 6 when a leadership retreat was raided. According to China Aid, just as the first day of the two week retreat was beginning, more than two hundred military police, Public Security Bureau (PSB) officers and others surrounded the building and began their assault. Though no arrest warrants were presented, everyone in the house was arrested, including the wife and three young children of one of the organizers.
The conference was being held in a home in Tongxu County, Kaifeng City, Henan Province. Those arrested were church leaders from various provinces. One church leader was also arrested on his way to the meeting, carrying literature for those attending. After his arrest, his house was raided and a large quantity of literature was removed.
Pray for spiritual and emotional endurance for those arrested, as well as their family members. Pray for the strength to stand firm, despite the opposition and torture they may face.
We encourage Christians to write to the Chinese embassy in their respective country, protesting this action against their citizens. For contact information, click here.
For more information on the persecution of Christians in China, click here.
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