Chinese authorities have detained several leaders and members of the Early Rain Covenant Church in Sichuan province, church officials said this week, marking the latest enforcement action against unregistered Christian groups operating outside state control, reports The Guardian.
According to a statement from the church, police on Tuesday took Li Yingqiang, a senior leader of Early Rain, from his home in the city of Deyang. His wife, Zhang Xinyue, was also detained. Two other members, pastor Dai Zhichao and lay member Ye Fenghua, were taken into custody at the same time. At least four additional church members were briefly detained and later released, while others remain unreachable.
In a statement, Early Rain leaders urged congregants “to hold fast to the faith, to love one another, and to remain united amid persecution.”
Rights groups and foreign observers have linked the latest actions to tightened ideological controls under President Xi Jinping. Yalkun Uluyol, a China researcher at a human rights organization, said the detentions appear to be part of a wider effort to suppress house churches, which authorities view as noncompliant with Communist Party ideology.
Corey Jackson, a former missionary in China, said pastors were warned last year that authorities would show no tolerance for unlicensed churches in 2026. As a result, many believers have stopped attending in-person gatherings due to police warnings and intimidation.
China officially recognizes five religions and its constitution guarantees religious freedom, though all are required to operate under state oversight.
According to a statement from the church, police on Tuesday took Li Yingqiang, a senior leader of Early Rain, from his home in the city of Deyang. His wife, Zhang Xinyue, was also detained. Two other members, pastor Dai Zhichao and lay member Ye Fenghua, were taken into custody at the same time. At least four additional church members were briefly detained and later released, while others remain unreachable.
Authorities have not confirmed whether formal charges have been filed. One member was reportedly summoned on suspicion of “picking quarrels and provoking trouble,” a broadly defined public order offense frequently used by Chinese authorities. Public security bureaus in Deyang and the nearby provincial capital of Chengdu declined to comment.
In a statement, Early Rain leaders urged congregants “to hold fast to the faith, to love one another, and to remain united amid persecution.”
Rights groups and foreign observers have linked the latest actions to tightened ideological controls under President Xi Jinping. Yalkun Uluyol, a China researcher at a human rights organization, said the detentions appear to be part of a wider effort to suppress house churches, which authorities view as noncompliant with Communist Party ideology.
Early Rain is among China’s most prominent house churches, which meet privately rather than in state-approved venues. Its founder, Wang Yi, was sentenced in 2019 to nine years in prison on charges of inciting subversion of state power after a major crackdown the previous year that saw around 100 members detained.
Corey Jackson, a former missionary in China, said pastors were warned last year that authorities would show no tolerance for unlicensed churches in 2026. As a result, many believers have stopped attending in-person gatherings due to police warnings and intimidation.
China officially recognizes five religions and its constitution guarantees religious freedom, though all are required to operate under state oversight.
