PRESS RELEASE
Two Long-Term American Missionaries Expelled by China Regime; Multiple Christians Detained; ChinaAid Condemns Raid on Guangzhou Eternal Foundation Church;
(Guangzhou, China — April 20, 2026) Religious freedom conditions in southern China have further deteriorated following a recent raid on Guangzhou Eternal Foundation Church. According to informed sources, authorities conducted a sudden enforcement operation on April 12, resulting in the expulsion of a long-serving American missionary couple and the detention of several Chinese church members.
Thomas Keenan, an American missionary who, along with his wife, had served in Guangzhou for nearly 30 years, was forcibly deported in recent days. Known among local believers as devout and low-profile, the couple had built deep community ties over decades of ministry. Their removal marks a sudden end to a long-standing cross-cultural mission presence in the region.
Dr. Bob Fu, President of ChinaAid, stated that the expulsion reflects a broader, escalating campaign by Chinese authorities to eliminate foreign religious influence, even among individuals with longstanding, peaceful engagement in local communities.
In addition to expelling foreign personnel, authorities have intensified pressure on domestic church members:
- Two church coworkers have been subjected to 15 days of administrative detention.
- At least two believers involved in writing and publication ministries have been arrested and face criminal charges of “illegal business operations,” despite no evidence of profit-driven or unlawful publishing activities.
Charging Christians engaged in producing or distributing faith-based materials under vague “illegal business” statutes has become a common tactic used by authorities to suppress unregistered churches.
Guangzhou was once one of the most vibrant regions for house churches in China. However, tightening religious regulations in recent years have forced long-established faith communities like Eternal Foundation Church to operate under increasingly severe legal risks and shrinking space for worship.
As of now, Guangzhou public security authorities have not issued an official statement regarding the incident. Whether the expulsion of the American missionaries will draw international diplomatic attention remains to be seen.
Dr. Bob Fu added:
“China must immediately release these innocent Christians and cease its ongoing persecution of peaceful believers. The international community cannot remain silent as fundamental religious freedoms are systematically eroded.”
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ChinaAid Association
