While raids on unregistered churches in China are frequent, the Chinese government's opposition to so-called "illegal evil cults" took a different turn on March 6 when an officially registered church was raided for allegedly providing "illegal evil cult" training. An eyewitness told China Aid sources that a Three-Self Patriotic Church in the village of Qiaozhuang, Henan Province was raided by Public Security Bureau (PSB) officers as fifty Christians were receiving Bible training from Pastor Liu Tuanjie. Pastor Liu is from Shangshui County in Henan Province. According to Chinese regulations, even within government churches, church leaders can only minister in their designated areas.
Pastor Liu and two other church leaders, Mr. Li Xueqin and Ms. Ma were taken into custody. Ma was released after her family paid a fine. As of March 10, Liu and Li remained in custody.
China Aid also reported on March 10 that a prominent Chinese musician, Su Wenxing, was recently placed under house arrest. Su is regarded as one of the best conductors in the country. In April 2004, a performance of Handel's Messiah by the China National Orchestra conducted by Su was abruptly cancelled without reason (for more information, click here). Su was reportedly told by guards at his door that he could face arrest if he continues his "provocative (evangelistic) activities" through music.
On March 6, two house church leaders were taken by PSB officers from their homes in Baihe County, Shanxi Province. Both Pastor Ruan Yonggui and Pastor Liu Fukao belong to a well-known House Church group called China Gospel Fellowship.
Pray that these arrested leaders will be released soon and that they will have opportunities to share Christ with others while in custody. Pray for renewed determination on the part of Chinese church leaders to continue to follow Christ regardless of the cost. Pray that the eyes of world leaders will be opened to the reality of China's restrictive anti-religious policies.
For more information on the persecution facing China's Christians, click here.
We encourage Canadians to write letters of protest and concern over these recent arrests to the Chinese embassy in Ottawa:
His Excellency Lu Shumin
Ambassador
Embassy of the People's Republic of China
515 St. Patrick Street
Ottawa, ON K1N 5H3
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