International Christian Concern | Oct. 2, 2018
International Christian Concern (ICC) has learned that several churches across China were raided and had their crosses removed by authorities over the past week. Additionally, the pastor of a Beijing house church that has already been shut down was hit by a scooter allegedly orchestrated by the government.
On September 27, the government forcibly removed the cross of Zhenxi Street Christian Church in Lankao County, Henan province. Though the church is state-sanctioned, with its walls painted with government slogans such as, “Persist in following the Sinocization of China’s religion,” it could not escape the ongoing crackdown against churches.
On September 30, local authorities disrupted the Sunday service at Lamb Returning Home Church in Guangzhou. The preacher, Cao Zhichao, was one of the signatories who recently signed his name on the joint statement among house churches affirming religious freedom in China.
On the same day, China Aid reported that six officials visited Guangzhou Bible Reformed Church (GBRC), interrogated Pastor Huang Xiaoning, and recorded his ID number. The congregants were upset and challenged the authorities on their actions, “accusing them for trespassing and demanding them to show warrant and IDs.” The officials left after members called the police. GBRC was forcibly shut down earlier last month.
In Guizhou, the Guiyang Love Reformed Church was disbanded by local religious affairs bureau officials who visited during their Sunday service, claiming that the church violated the religious regulations.