(Hangzhou, Zhejiang – May 17, 2025) A pastoral letter recently surfaced, issued by a pastor using the pseudonym “P,” detailing a large-scale police raid on Mother’s Day, May 11, 2025. What was supposed to be a peaceful and heartwarming Christian Sunday worship service in Keda Plaza, Hangzhou, turned into a tense confrontation lasting over an hour and a half. According to reports, at least sixty joint law enforcement officers, including SWAT personnel, surrounded the venue of the gathering.
Brutal law enforcement raided church gathering without search or arrest warrants
The letter, filled with emotions, titled “Though Seemingly Without Light, There Is Still Dawn,” revealed that the incident coincided with the college graduation of the pastor’s eldest daughter. However, what should have been two simultaneous joyful celebrations, the sacred space of worship was abruptly shattered by the intrusion. In the letter, the pastor mentioned he had repeatedly listened to the hymn “Nearer, My God, to Thee” in the days leading up to the events. It gave him a sense of forewarning, and he gained a spiritual insight of
“Do not be discouraged, your suffering will bring you nearer to Me.”
The letter described in vivid detail the brutality of the law enforcement personnel. They suddenly stormed the site of the gathering, sealed the exits, prevented attendees from leaving, and even denied their fundamental right to have access to restrooms. The pastor questioned the legality of the actions of the law enforcement personnel, noting that no search or arrest warrants were presented. He quoted the officers reportedly declaring, “We don’t need to show any documents or identification because we are law enforcers.”
The pastor, who wishes to remain anonymous, pointed out that law enforcement personnel arbitrarily deemed the gathering an “illegal religious assembly” without investigation or evidence, frequently using qualifying language such as “illegal” and “criminal,” which blatantly violated the principle of “presumption of innocence” outlined in Chinese law. The letter also mentioned conversations about religious freedom, public service, and sharp disputes regarding private property, and suspected illegal facial recognition practices.
Church members stayed courageous and united
During the tense standoff under the stress of might, the letter highlighted the courageous acts of church members in the hours of crisis. Such as members who recorded the police operation with their phones, others banded together to prevent the pastor from being forcibly taken, and many who stood up to argue for what they believe is right, and to defend their faith and civil rights. Ultimately, with the pastor’s mediation, all attendees were allowed to leave without having to register their personal information. The pastor and one fellow brother in Christ voluntarily went to the police station to assist with the investigation and were released about 24 hours later.
The incident inflicted some damage on the church. For example, information from the computers was forcibly inspected, possibly compromising internal church information and casting uncertainty over the church’s future development.
In the second half of the letter, the pastor expressed deep care and encouragement for members of the congregation. He urged the members, who had stood alongside him for seven years in joy and suffering, to be united, to be accepting of one another, and to avoid grumbling during times of persecution. He also praised brothers and sisters for their courage, wisdom, sense of responsibility, and solidarity. He also called on everyone to persist in watchful prayer and to remain in fellowship with one another, and emphasized the importance of acquiring knowledge of basic legal rights.
The letter reaffirmed the church’s mission of “Freedom Through Truth For Service,” and candidly acknowledged the loss of their meeting space. Nevertheless, the pastor quoted a sister in Christ’s sharing, expressing hope to start a new beginning.
In closing, the pastor wrote that though they had walked through a “dark night,” they had also experienced an “unextinguished glimmer of light.” He encouraged Christians not to be afraid of the darkness, for the Lord they have faith in is the One “who spoke light into the chaos.”
The public release of this pastoral letter is certain to spark broader concern and further discussion regarding the state of religious freedom in China and the conduct of law enforcement. As of now, no official response has been issued by local authorities or the police.
Statement by China Aid Association
China Aid Association condemned the Hangzhou police’s raid on the house church on Mother’s Day Sunday; ChinaAid believes it is a serious case of violation of the religious freedom of Chinese citizens.
ChinaAid calls on the international community to pay close attention to this incident, and urges the Chinese government to respect and uphold the religious rights guaranteed to its citizens under the constitution, and to cease the suppression and persecution of house churches.
(Reported by Special Correspondent Gao Zhensai of ChinaAid)
