(Fujian – May 14, 2026) Authorities in southeastern China detained a Christian prayer leader on May 9 over her involvement in an online prayer ministry linked to a prominent house church.
The Longhai Branch of the Zhangzhou Public Security Bureau in Fujian Province has accused Christian preacher Chen Huizhen, one of the leaders of the “5PM in China – Kingdom Prayer Meeting,” of involvement in what officials described as illegal religious activities.
Police placed Chen under administrative detention, a form of punishment in China that allows authorities to jail individuals for short periods without a formal criminal trial.
Authorities accused Chen of “organizing, instigating, coercing, inducing or inciting another person to engage in cult activities, superstitious sects, or secret societies.” Rights advocates and underground church networks say such accusations are frequently used to suppress unregistered religious activity.
Chen was sentenced to 12 days of administrative detention, to be served from May 9 through May 21, 2026.
The “5PM in China – Kingdom Prayer Meeting” is an online prayer network launched by Early Rain Covenant Church, a prominent house church that has faced years of government pressure, as previously reported by ChinaAid News.
In response to Preacher Chen’s situation, the ministry team at “5PM in China – Kingdom Prayer Meeting” issued the following prayer requests:
Pray for Preacher Chen and her family: May Preacher Chen have peace and good health during her detention, and may the Lord comfort and strengthen her family’s faith as they endure this difficult time.
Pray for the prayer ministry: May the “5PM in China Kingdom Prayer Meeting” continue to stand firm under pressure, and that its ministry not be interrupted.
Pray for more gospel colaborers to rise up: Pray that more leaders and coworkers across China would courageously take up the mission so that the fire of kingdom prayer may continue burning.
Dedicated to praying for Christians in China who are persecuted, detained, or imprisoned, the online ministry holds daily Zoom prayer meetings from 5 to 5:30 p.m.
Chinese authorities have intensified pressure in recent years on unregistered Protestant house churches and independent prayer groups operating outside state-approved religious organizations. Supporters of Chen say her detention has heightened concerns about religious freedom conditions in China.
ChinaAid, founded in 2002, is an international, Christian nonprofit human rights organization that inspires, informs, and invites people to transformative action on behalf of persecuted people of all faiths in China. Sign up to receive ChinaAid News every week.