(Chengdu, Sichuan Province – September 6, 2024) On Sunday, September 1, 2024, the Chengdu Early Rain Covenant Church’s in-person Sunday worship, held in a rented conference room, was disrupted by police. Elder Li Yingqiang, Elder Yan Hong, Pastor Wu Wuqing, and Deacon Zeng Qingtao were taken to the Hongpailou Police Station in Wuhou District on suspicion of “illegal activities in the name of a social organization” for investigation.
Before 9:00 A.M., a large number of police officers appeared at the venue. Just before the worship started at 9:00 A.M., Elder Li Yingqiang and Pastor Wu Wuqing were taken away by police. About fifty believers were present at the time. The police immediately cordoned off the area, preventing believers from going upstairs. Dozens of believers downstairs continued to sing hymns and worship together. Elder Yan Hong then continued to lead the worship but was interrupted by police and taken away around 10:00 A.M. Deacon Zeng Qingtao then came to lead the worship and was promptly taken away as well. Subsequently, the power to the venue was cut off, and the believers were driven away by the police on site, but everyone continued to sing hymns calmly and worship the Lord attentively. Online co-workers also took over to lead the service, jointly completing the Sunday worship.
This Sunday was Communion Sunday. Because the elders and pastors qualified to lead the communion bread-breaking were all taken away by the police, the Christians attending the Sunday gathering were unable to receive communion. The manager of the rented venue had long since cut off power to the venue under pressure from the police and loudly played Chinese patriotic songs and the Chinese cartoon “Pleasant Goat and Big Big Wolf”, but the believers were not affected and continued to worship until the entire process was completed.
The remaining congregation gathered in the lobby outside the venue, where Deacon Xiao Luobiao led everyone in singing hymns and reading scriptures. They took turns reading the sermon message. Today’s sermon was a message on Ephesians by Pastor Wang Yi from years ago, titled “The Gospel for Outsiders.” As soon as they started, the police wanted to take Deacon Xiao Luobiao away. Some female believers negotiated with the police, who then said they wouldn’t take anyone away if they dispersed. After everyone dispersed, they gathered in small groups to continue meeting elsewhere.
Elder Li Yingqiang, Elder Yan Hong, Pastor Wu Wuqing, and Deacon Zeng Qingtao may be administratively detained after investigation.
