(Guangzhou, Guangdong province) On June 21st, an unknown individual cut off the power to Pastor Huang Xiaoning’s home. They also blocked his door lock, rendering him unable to use it.
Continued Harassment
Just after 10 PM, the power was cut off at the home of Pastor Huang Xiaoning of the Guangzhou Bible Reformed Church. Surveillance photos revealed that an unknown person in civilian clothes was injecting objects into the door. Pastor Huang Xiaoning reported the case to the police station that night, respectively. He received an executive police report. Reports also indicate that unknown individuals also stalked and harassed other pastoral co-workers this past week.
Persecution
Guangzhou Bible Reformed Church faced a lot of persecution after they refused to join the Three-Self government-sanctioned church. Police and officials repeatedly raided Sunday gatherings and detained Pastor Huang Xiaoning. Many church members were placed under 24-hour surveillance during holidays or sensitive days, like the National People’s Congress or June 4.
Meeting secretly
In 2018, the government seized their church building. Guangzhou Bible Reformed decided to meet secretly. They changed venues every week to evade detection. Despite their dire circumstances, the church continued to grow.
Coordinated raid
On the morning of May 7th, 2023, the authorities stormed five of the church’s six branches simultaneously: Dashi, Shiqiao, Yuexiu, Baiyun, and Jiangmen. The authorities took away elders, preachers, and co-workers from each of the five branches. Police also tried to take away Pastor Huang Xiaoning, but he refused their coercive measures. This was reportedly a joint action from several government organizations. After each parish was registered one by one, everyone was able to leave.
Raided twice in one month
On June 4th, officers raided the church’s Sunday worship service again. Police in plain clothes entered the hotel conference room, interrupting the service. In the chaos, they accused the church of meeting illegally and demanded that the Christians register their information.
~Yu Bing, Special Reporter for ChinaAid
