In China, children of Early Rain Covenant Church (ERRC) were participating in a normal day of homeschool when police and authorities busted through the doors.
As children played together, national security officers and education bureau officials raided the home and even confiscated personal items.
The surprise raid prompted a public cry for help on social media, pleading with Christians around the world to pray urgently.
“Urgent prayer request: At 7:00 this morning, a large group of police officers, education bureau officials, national security officers, and urban management officers surrounded a home where homeschooled children of Early Rain Covenant Church were playing together. The police are now raiding the home. There are a large number of police officers outside and inside of brother Liang Huali and Sister Shu Qiong’s home, and they are currently removing brother Liang’s personal belongings. Please pray!”
China is a country well-known for opposing Christians.
While there are nearly 60 million Christians in China, the government demands Christians “register” their personal information and forces them to teach communist propaganda.
As a result, many Christian churches go underground where they’re able to preach God’s word the way it was written – not under communist influence.
But once these churches are discovered, they’re often raided and pastors are harassed or even killed.
While the Chinese government uses these raids to “send a message” and discourage other Christians from meeting, just the opposite has happened.
In fact, despite persecution, underground churches are thriving in China like never before.
But Chinese pastors are still suffering for their faith.
Pastor Wang Yi, who led EERC, has since been sentenced to nine years in prison for faithfully teaching God’s word.
China Aid reported:
“Wang, who is the pastor of Early Rain Covenant Church, was found guilty of “inciting subversion of state power” and “illegal business operations.” Both charges were given to him because of his position within the church.
Wang was taken into custody on Dec. 9, 2018, along with 100 other members of his church. On Dec. 26, 2019, he was tried suddenly and secretly. Today, officials handed him a nine-year sentence along with three years of denied political rights and a 50,000 yuan [$7,000 USD] fine.”
Sudden and secret trials are not just, nor is charging a pastor with “illegal business operations” for leading his church.
We must continue to pray for our persecuted brothers and sisters in China, that God will give them strength to keep their faith and use them to make His name known, no matter where they are.
Oh Lord, please stretch out your mighty hand and give courage to fellow believers in China. Comfort them in moments of distress and fill them with the peace only you can provide. We pray in the name of Jesus for your protection on them, and praise you for their faithfulness and longsuffering. Please continue to grow your church, in the darkest corners of the world, and raise up new leaders to shepherd your flock. We pray all this in Jesus’ name, Amen.
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