(Chengdu, Sichuan Province – September 18, 2024) On September 16, 2024, Elder Li Yingqiang, Elder Yan Hong, Preacher Wu Wuqing, and Deacon Zeng Qingtao of the Early Rain Covenant Church in Chengdu were released after completing their administrative detention. They were detained by the Hongpailou Police Station of Wuhou Branch, Chengdu Public Security Bureau, for “illegal activities in the name of a social organization” due to leading the church’s Sunday worship on September 1. They were each given 14 days of administrative detention at the Chengdu Detention Center.
On September 2, Early Rain Covenant Church publicly disclosed this matter in a prayer request, stating that Preacher Wu Wuqing’s home had been without water and electricity for over a month, and he could finally use these utilities freely in the detention center. Elder Yan Hong had been hospitalized for a stroke two or three years ago and needed to take medication daily for control. Elder Li Yingqiang was found to have high blood pressure during a medical examination when administratively detained at the end of last year. Deacon Zeng Qingtao needed to take diabetes medication daily. The police had notified the wives of Elder Yan Hong and Deacon Zeng Qingtao to bring their medications.
On September 3, family members went to the detention center to bring them clothes, glasses, and other items. At noon that day, a lawyer met with Elder Yan Hong. He was very joyful, eating and sleeping well, and told his wife not to worry. He felt he had a deeper connection with Early Rain Church while in the detention center.
On September 4, another Christian lawyer met with Elder Li Yingqiang. It was Wednesday, the family visitation day at the Chengdu Detention Center. In the afternoon, family members also met with the four detained ministers. Family members were able to share their longing and care for each other. They said God is the one who turns our tears into laughter.
In their public prayer on September 8, Early Rain Covenant Church said, “In these nearly six years of persecution and oppression against the church, Early Rain Covenant Church has paid a heavy price for maintaining public worship, including imprisonment, expulsion, and beatings. Almost every police station in Chengdu has witnessed our worship.”
Elder Yingqiang shared: “Being imprisoned for the Lord is a special service, but not the only one. It’s good to be in prison for the Lord, and it’s also good to work for the Lord. Don’t let imprisonment become a standard to distinguish between believers. Sometimes we need to be tough, but gentleness in Christ is also very important. If we always emphasize our strength, it’s actually our weakness because it’s becoming our pride. And this pride is deeply hidden. Whether obedience or resistance, if it’s not from the gospel, it’s very dangerous.
What we need to protect most is the gospel, not denominations. In the detention center, we can’t look down on those who engage in prostitution or fighting, because our true nature is no better than theirs. Many young people enter detention centers, and they really need the gospel. Some of the detained people mock faith and say blasphemous things, which can make me angry. Knowing that other brothers and sisters are safe brings me great comfort.”
Elder Li Yingqiang believes that the worship on September 1 was according to God’s will, although it wasn’t peaceful, it was in God’s heart. Brothers and sisters also need to look up to God more deeply.
On the morning of September 16, family members and brothers and sisters from the church came to the detention center very early to wait for them. Around 10:30 AM, they saw a police car carrying the four brothers leave the detention center. Subsequently, brothers and sisters waiting at the Hongpailou Police Station saw them being picked up by police cars from their respective jurisdictional police stations. Around noon, all four brothers were sent back to their homes and reunited with their families.
During the two weeks they were detained, Chengdu experienced the hottest weather of the year, with temperatures reaching 40 degrees Celsius. The detention center had no air conditioning, but the Christians did not find it unbearable. From the photos of the four Christians after their release, each had grown a long beard and appeared thin. Elder Li Yingqiang lost about 4 kg in weight over the 14 days. However, they all looked peaceful and full of joy. It is said that Elder Li Yingqiang even preached the gospel to those around him in the detention center, leading a young person to Christ. Others also had good testimonies in prison.
According to Elder Li Yingqiang’s wife Zhang Xinyue, Li Yingqiang immediately started working after eating, shaving, and taking a bath. She called it “the new normal of going in and out of detention centers, a life governed by grace.”