Police Question Church Elder and Confiscate His Computer

For the past five years, Elder Li Yingqiang has been repeatedly subjected to questioning and detention since the Chinese Communist Party began targeting the Early Rain Covenant Church. (For previously published reports on Elder Li, see this list.)

In the most recent incident, Elder Li was taken by Deyang police officers for interrogation on December 15th. They questioned him about a pre-recorded message that was played on December 9th as part of an online event commemorating the fifth anniversary of the government's crackdown on the church. After being summoned again on December 19th, the church elder was detained for another eight hours for further questioning. In addition to warning him against participating in any future online church activities, the authorities confiscated his computer.

In a public letter issued that day, Elder Li expressed his concern over the various challenges being experienced by members of the Early Rain Covenant Church and requested that followers of Jesus please continue to pray for them. To review additional reports addressing the persecution of believers in China, go to our country report.

As you 'pray without ceasing,' please remember your Christian brothers and sisters in China who are undergoing relentless opposition – including Elder Li and the church's pastor, Wang Li, who is presently serving a nine-year prison term. As they navigate the different challenges, may the Lord provide for their every physical, emotional and spiritual need. Also continue to uphold Christians throughout China who are reaching out to others with the message of the Gospel, praying that the church in this Communist nation will continue to grow exponentially despite intensifying persecution.