Dear brothers and sisters:
Peace in the Lord! The outdoor worship service of Shouwang Church since April 10, 2011 came to an end on December 25, 2011. The church governing committee thus decided to have indoor Sunday service, and rented a place for indoor gathering. However, all of the three places the church rented for Sunday service on January 1 cannot be used for indoor gathering since the government interferes. Therefore, the church decided to have outdoor worship service on the third platform of Zhongguancun Square.
As far as we know, on Sunday morning, at least forty-nine believers were taken away for going to the planned location to join the outdoor service, either at the spot or on their way there. Except some individuals were released on the way, most believers were sent to thirteen local police stations of their respective area. Till midnight, forty believers were released home, and the other nine believers were still under detention in five different police stations. The last two believers, detained at Zhongguancun Street police station, were not released till 1:00am on January 3.
The government has been trying to prevent Shouwang from having indoor worship service through all kinds of means, pressing the landlord or the owner of places we rented to cancel the lease contract, and even claims that it is impossible for Shouwang to rent a meeting place for gathering as a whole church. However, the church will continue to make efforts to gather indoors. May the Lord open a way for his church, so that we can worship indoors together soon, and that co-workers and believers who are under house arrest can have freedom soon.
May peace and grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the mercy and love of Father God, and the console and guidance of the Holy Spirit, the Advocate, be with each brother and sister of Shouwang Church and all the churches who remember Shouwang Church in prayers, from this time on and forevermore! Amen.
Beijing Shouwang Church
01/03/2012
China Aid Contacts
Rachel Ritchie, English Media Director
Cell: (432) 553-1080 | Office: 1+ (888) 889-7757 | Other: (432) 689-6985
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.chinaaid.org
