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Chengdu’s Early Rain Covenant Church Faces Renewed Persecution
(Sichuan – June 4, 2025) Members of Chengdu’s Early Rain Covenant Church in China are facing a new wave of persecution. Multiple members of the church are under strict surveillance, and some have even been subjected to violent eviction from their homes, clearly revealing the government’s relentless crackdown on religious freedom.
Targeted Surveillance and Threats Against Church Leaders
Since May 29, surveillance cameras have been newly installed outside the home of the church’s deputy deacon, Brother Zeng Qingtao, and his wife, Sister Deng Yan. Both entrances to their residence are under close watch by unidentified personnel. Local police from the precinct have directly called Zeng Qingtao with stern warnings, forbidding him from hosting Bible studies, love feasts, or any other group gatherings at home. Similarly, Sister He Futao, who lives in the same residential community, is also being monitored. Such open surveillance and threats are a blatant violation of citizens’ fundamental rights.
Violent Eviction of Church Members
This follows the encounter of Brother Fan Dingwen and Sister Zhang Ping. On the morning of May 28, police from Jitouqiao Police Station in Wuhou District summoned them. Upon returning home, they found their landlord accompanied by unidentified individuals who had forcibly entered their rental apartment, packed up all their belongings, moved them downstairs, and violently evicted the couple. Shockingly, police officers present stood by and allowed the illegal act to happen, effectively condoning these evil acts.
State-Backed Persecution of Religious Communities
The state apparatus is continuing its stranglehold on religion
The harassment by “unidentified individuals” of Christians is not an isolated instance. It is believed that their actions are directly authorized or instigated by local officials. Fan Dingwen and Zhang Ping had just moved from Shanghai to Chengdu in mid-March 2025 and committed themselves to Early Rain Covenant Church with the intention of becoming members of the church. They swiftly became targets of persecution, indicating that the state’s surveillance and infiltration of the church had reached alarming levels.
Early Rain Covenant Church: A Longstanding Target of Government Repression
Early Rain Covenant Church, located in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, is one of the most well-known house churches in China. It has long been a primary target of government repression due to its firm commitment to Christian faith and refusal to submit to state control.
As early as December 9, 2018, its pastor Wang Yi was arrested by the Chinese Communist authorities; in December 2019, he was sentenced by the Chengdu Intermediate People’s Court to nine years in prison for the crimes of “inciting to subvert state power” and “illegal business operations,” with an additional three years of deprivation of political rights. Subsequently, on December 14, 2018, Early Rain Covenant Church was announced by the government as banned.
Continuous Harassment of Early Rain Church Members and Co-Workers
For the past seven years, the harassment of Early Rain Covenant Church’s co-workers and members has never ceased. This includes surveillance, stalking, evictions, summons, and even detentions.
A recent example is Gansu Christian Long Kehai. In January 2025, he transferred his membership to Early Rain Covenant Church. However, not long after, on March 19, 2025, he was criminally detained by the Public Security Bureau of Hui County in Gansu Province on suspicion of “picking quarrels and provoking trouble.” On March 31, he was formally arrested under the same charge and is currently being held at the Detention Center of Hui County in Gansu Province. This marks the third time Long Kehai has been arrested. His case is scheduled for trial on June 9, 2025, and the outcome could be concerning.
Religious Freedom Under Threat: The Broader Impact of State Repression
This ongoing repression is not only persecution against specific individuals and churches but a blatant challenge to Chinese citizens’ fundamental freedom of belief. Through intimidation and violence, authorities aim to force believers to abandon their faith or submit their faith entirely to the control of the state. Such actions contradict the spirit of the rule of law, seriously infringe upon the religious freedom guaranteed by the Constitution of the People’s Republic of China, and are incompatible with internationally recognized human rights principles.
Urgent Call to pray for Early Rain Covenant Church
We urgently call on Christians around the world and all individuals who care about human rights to pray for the brothers and sisters of Early Rain Covenant Church:
- Pray for husband and wife, Brother Zeng Qingtao and Sister Deng Yan: May God grant them heavenly joy and peace so they may remain steadfast in their faith and hold on to the truth amid surveillance and threats.
- Pray for husband and wife, Brother Fan Dingwen and Sister Zhang Ping: May God comfort them in their displacement and provide a safe and suitable new home where they can settle.
- Pray for Brother Long Kehai: May God guard his body and soul and grant him grace even in prison. And to also pray that his case will receive a fair trial.
As Scripture says: “Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:10 NIV)
Despite the great suffering endured by the members of the Early Rain Covenant Church, their passion for their faith grows ever stronger in the face of persecution. This resilience of faith is the most powerful resistance against authoritarian tyranny.
(Reported by Special Correspondent Gao Zhensai of ChinaAid)