Authorities in Zhejiang province have instituted a series of new restrictions on churches, including regulations forbidding the practice of baptismal services and the use of offering collection boxes. The monitoring of attendees, types of activities, service times and locations has been given to appointed government officials to ensure all the restrictions are followed.
Part of the reason for these added restrictions is to prevent any foreign control. Consequently, no foreign funds supporting religious activities are allowed. China's provincial leaders believe that foreign powers could try to use religion to overthrow the government. For more information on the persecution of Christians in China, as well as previously posted reports, visit this page.
Intercede for China's church leaders as they now face the province's newly imposed restrictions and attempt to wisely navigate ways to proceed with their corporate worship of God. May the Gospel message continue to spread throughout the nation, despite human efforts to subdue it. Also remember to prayerfully uphold the many believers currently in detention because of their faith in Christ, asking the Lord to give them increased physical, emotional and spiritual endurance.