(CBN News) – China is tightening its grip on the country’s Christians through repeated efforts to persecute and silence the Church. The latest example happened Sunday when Communist party officials detained Pastor Wang Yi of the Early Rain Covenant Church and more than 100 members, according to The Wall Street Journal. Zhang Guoqing, an assistant deacon, told The South China Morning Post that pastor Wang’s home was raided.
“His home was ransacked. It was a mess,” Zhang said. “The police said our church is an illegal organization and we cannot attend any more gatherings from now on.” Pastor Wang is an outspoken critic of President Xi Jinping and his new regulations, which require all churches to be registered to the state. He organized a petition several months ago that condemned the government for targeting unregistered churches. The petition gained more than 400 signatures from pastors around the country. READ MORE
