(Dazhou, Sichuan Province – November 10, 2023) Chengdu Early Rain Covenant Church’s Elder Li Yingqiang was administratively detained by Dazhou police for ten days and fined ￥500 Yuan ($69 U.S Dollars) for serving a baptism service in the church’s subsidiary “Good Land Mission Center”.
Police storm Christian gathering
On the morning of November 9, Elder Li Yingqiang, co-workers Dai Zhichao, An Yankui, and Wang Yingjie travelled to Dazhou city to visit the “Good Land Mission Center,” and serve the church through baptizing and partaking in Holy Communion.
However, police officers, national security agents, and staff of religious affairs bureau and civil affairs bureau raided the service and took thirteen believers to Chaoyang police station.
Believers Released, Punished
Some believers were released at around 9 pm. Dai Zhichao, An Yankui, and Wang Yingjie were released after midnight. Elder Li Yingqiang and Good Land Mission Center’s co-worker Hou Duoshu were detained the whole night. Hou Duoshu was released at around 12pm the following day.
Elder Li Yingqiang was administratively detained for ten days and fined ￥500 Yuan. He was transferred to Dazhou City Detention Center. Hou Duoshu was administratively detained for five days, but the punishment was not enforced considering his health condition.
Hou Duoshu repeatedly asked police to detain himself only and release other believers, especially those who travelled from other cities to serve his church. But he was not able to prevent Elder Li Yingqiang from being detained and felt guilty for Elder Li.
Spiritual fellowship Despite Persecution
Dai Zhichao posted on social media that he had arrived at Chengdu safely on November 10. An Yankui and Wang Yingjie also got on a train and headed back to Taiyuan.
They spent twelve hours in the police station together. They read the Holy Bible together, prayed, and had discussions. When there were only five left in the police station, they asked released believers to help bring back all their personal belongings. They were prepared to be detained together. Dai thought it was a great experience.
He said:
“I was a little sad. We were sent to the police station together with police car. He had great conversations. Three of us were released the following day. Hou Duoshu and elder Li Yingqiang spent another twelve hours in there. Now God has elevated elder Li Yingqiang to the top of the mountain and give him a special spiritual formation, while we will continue to climb up the mountain.”
Prayer request from Chengdu Church
Chengdu Early Rain Covenant Church thanked fellow churches and Christians’ prayers.
They urged Christians to continue to pray God to guide their church during the tribulation and empower them to walk with God with more strength. Please continue to pray for elder Li Yingqiang and his family. May God guard Dazhou city’s believers and may peace be with all the people that God love!
Ningmeng, ChinaAid special reporter.
