The Chinese government is hiring citizens to spy on churches, according to Christian leaders. A church elder from the city of Kaifeng, located in Henan province, stated that officials within his area had recruited someone of each village to scrutinize the worship services, paying them five times the normal monthly stipend given to poor households.
Apparently, the spies are being instructed to report anyone who takes children to church. In February 2018, regulations were introduced barring anyone under the age of 18 from entering religious venues or being taught about religion.
Christians in other areas of the country have also reported the use of paid informants who are being used to work against them. For more information on the persecution facing believers in China, go to the China Country Report.
Pray that the Christians in China will be able to continue meeting for worship without any hindrance or fear of government reprisal. Intercede for all the parents who are endeavouring to raise their children in the ways of the Lord despite these prohibitions (Deuteronomy 6:6-9), and for their church leaders to continue upholding the uncompromising truth and sovereignty of God's Word. May the recruited community members who enter the churches for nefarious reasons hear the message of the Gospel and turn in faith to Christ.