On the morning of Sunday 14 August, around 50-60 believers gathered at a tea house in Wuhou District, Chengdu, and attended Early Rain Covenant Church’s in-person service. Over 20 police officers in a mixture of uniform and plain clothes raided the meeting, announcing that “Early Rain Covenant Church has been shut down”, and that it was illegal for them to gather. Police then locked the entrance to the tea house, requiring everyone to register their personal identification before leaving.
Xing Hongwei was unwilling to cooperate with police during the raid, and they had a physical altercation. Officers pressed Xing to the ground and took him away. Thankfully, the conflict did not escalate because Early Rain members intervened. Xing’s wife, Zhao Qing, was also taken away to the Wuhou District Police Station.
Xing is a renowned Christian writer in China. He was previously sentenced to three years in prison for his part in founding the Party of Freedom and Democracy after the Tiananmen Square massacre. Xing participated in the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests and later, he focused on spreading the Christian faith by writing Christian books and articles.
In February 2019, police seized and detained Xing for 10 days at his home because he posted in a WeChat group that Pastor Wang Yi’s mother was beaten by police. This May, Xing was taken away by police because he prayed for Ukraine in another WeChat group.
Six Christians from Early Rain accompanied Xing’s wife and daughter to the Wuhou District Police Station.
By noon, the group of police began to dissipate and several believers ate lunch near the police station. One of the church members said, “The vast majority of brothers and sisters were peaceful, quiet, and serene in their demeanour, knowing that God will be with us and that He will watch over and protect His children!”
Later that afternoon, Xing was transferred to Jinhuaqiao Police Station. Several Christians of Early Rain followed him to wait for updates. Xing’s wife, Zhao, was released at midnight, but as of the time of publishing, Xing remains detained. Early Rain asks for the body of Christ to intercede for him.
Source: ChinaAid
Please Pray
Pray for Zhao and her daughter as they wait for Xing’s release. Pray that he will be treated well in custody and be freed soon.
Pray for courage and protection over members of the Early Rain Covenant Church. Pray that the persecution they face will only embolden them in their witness for Christ.
Pray that police authorities and government officials in China will come to know the Lord as their saviour.