FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 14, 2026
CHENGDU, CHINA — Authorities in southwestern China launched a large-scale raid against Early Rain Covenant Church (ERCC) during its Sunday worship service on June 14, detaining church leaders, members, and several children, according to reports received by ChinaAid.
The church’s worship service was being held in a hotel conference room in Jiangyou City, Sichuan Province, when police intervened. According to eyewitness accounts, approximately 50 to 60 police officers and government personnel from Mianyang City surrounded and entered the worship gathering at about 11 a.m. local time.
Authorities reportedly collected identification information from attendees before transporting church members by bus and police vehicle to local police stations for questioning. Two detained elders of Early Rain Covenant Church have been identified, Elder Yan Hong and Elder Wu Wuqing. Four other church members – Liu Yingxu, Nie Bo, Li Benli, and Ah-Xin – have also been named as taken into police custody.
Numerous other believers were also reportedly detained, including several young children who were present during the worship service. The whereabouts and legal status of many detainees remain unknown.
ChinaAid said the operation represents the latest escalation in a years-long campaign against one of China’s best-known Protestant house churches. “This raid is another stark reminder that the Chinese Communist Party continues to treat peaceful Christian worship as a threat to state control,” said Dr. Bob Fu, founder and president of ChinaAid.
Continuing pressure on Early Rain Covenant Church
Early Rain Covenant Church is one of China’s most prominent independent Protestant house churches and has faced sustained government pressure since authorities launched a sweeping crackdown against the congregation in December 2018.
The church’s founding pastor, Wang Yi, was sentenced in December 2019 to nine years in prison on charges of “inciting subversion of state power” and “illegal business operations” after criticizing restrictions on religious freedom and refusing to join state-controlled religious organizations.
Since Wang’s imprisonment, church members have continued meeting despite repeated detentions, surveillance, evictions, and disruptions by authorities.
The latest raid follows previous operations targeting Early Rain members and leaders, underscoring what advocates describe as an ongoing effort to dismantle the church’s ministry and discourage participation in independent Christian congregations.
ChinaAid condemns raid, urges prayer
Texas-based nonprofit group ChinaAid condemned the operation and called on Chinese authorities to immediately release all detained believers.
“The detention of church leaders, ordinary believers, and even children for participating in a Sunday worship service is a grave violation of religious freedom and fundamental human rights,” Fu said. “We call on the international community, democratic governments, and all people of conscience to speak out and demand the immediate release of those detained.”
ChinaAid urged Christians around the world to pray for the safety and protection of detained believers, the well-being of the children affected by the raid, and strength and peace for families awaiting news of their loved ones. The organization also called for prayer for the continued faithfulness and unity of Early Rain Covenant Church, as well as for greater religious freedom throughout China.
Founded in 2002, ChinaAid is an international Christian human rights organization committed to promoting religious freedom and the rule of law in China through advocacy, legal support, and international awareness campaigns.
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Website: ChinaAid.org