Source: www.ChinaAid.org
Date: March 4, 2021
Group gathering in China to pray....
(Photo: Sheila/Flickr)
(Chongqing City, Sichuan Province—March 04, 2021) At approximately 10 am on February 28, several plainclothes police raided Chongqing Living Fountain Church, disassembling the Sunday service and arresting two Brothers in the faith [one preaching that day]. During the assault, officers confiscated a church computer and forced those attending the service to leave, warning, "Do not come on the grounds again. This church is not registered and there’s the potential risk of spreading the COVID-19 virus."
During the following week, police officers repeatedly pressured the landlord of the house hosting the church gatherings to request that the church provide a list of its members and financial information. The church rejected this request.
The previous week, on February 21, numerous Chinese Communist Party (CCP) authorities from the district religious affairs bureau, domestic security bureau unit-front department and sub-district office, as well as plainclothes policeman had "showed up" at the church during the Sunday service. They requested that the church stop the morning service, stating that the church is not registered with the religious affairs bureau. After seeing children in the service, one plainclothes policeman challenged a church member, "Did you know that minors are not allowed to enter religious venues?”
On February 28, in response to the raid, Chongqing Living Fountain Church members published an urgent prayer request letter. They asked fellow Christians to join them in prayer.
Most members of Chongqing Living Fountain Church, a small house church, have gathered to worship together for more than 20 years. Even after Chinese Communist Party (CCP) officials published “New Regulations on Religious Affairs,” the church maintained pure Christian beliefs and refused to register with the religious affairs bureau.
Although this house church is not registered with the CCP's local religious affairs bureau, its urgent prayer request letter "registers" a reminder for Believers to pray for them and others persecuted for their stand in faith.
Report by Yubing, ChinaAid Special Correspondent
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On February 28, in response to the raid, Chongqing Living Fountain Church members published an urgent prayer request letter. They asked fellow Christians to join them in prayer.
The Lord has protected our church since its founding more than 20 years ago. Most of our members are elderly and women. We pray that God gives us the courage and wisdom to testify His name to the kings and rulers, as well as to soldiers of the Earth. May God’s peace be with our detained Brothers [in the faith of Jesus Christ].
Most members of Chongqing Living Fountain Church, a small house church, have gathered to worship together for more than 20 years. Even after Chinese Communist Party (CCP) officials published “New Regulations on Religious Affairs,” the church maintained pure Christian beliefs and refused to register with the religious affairs bureau.
In 2018, Cheng Hairong, the church’s minister joined other Christian leaders in signing to support the campaign Pastor Wang Yi initiated, “A joint statement by pastors, a declaration for the sake of the Christian faith,” calling for religious freedom in China.
Report by Yubing, ChinaAid Special Correspondent
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The counsel of the Lord stands forever,
The plans of His heart to all generations.
~ Psalm 33:11 (NKJV)
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