The level of church persecution in China
The Chinese authorities have banned Guangdong house churches and surrounding areas in south Guangdong province have forbidden house churches to meet at the ongoing Asian Games.
This indication is contained in a report by the Release International (www.releaseinternational.org) a United Kingdom based registered charity organization adding that Church leaders and their congregations have been warned not to hold services during the games, which run from November 12 to 27 and which are being hosted by Guangzhou city.
“Sources for Release partner, China Aid said the ban is likely to last until January – which would have serious implications for Christmas celebrations. Officials have told pastors that the closure is due to 'security concerns'. A China Aid source said some churches were trying to get around the ban by splitting into much smaller groups and meeting at different locations,” the report said.
It continued: “In fact, it appears that the ban may well extend across the whole Pearl River delta area – which accounts for much of south Guangdong. This is certainly the understanding of Pastor Wang Dao, leader of the Guangzhou Liangren Church, who reports that a church in Jiangmen, further south, has also been issued with the ban.”
It noted that Pastor Wang is dubious about talk of 'security concerns' during the games. “I think it's just an excuse. So they can undertake a total crackdown on house churches, the Pastor stated.
It needs to be noted that Pastor Wang is currently on bail awaiting trial on charges relating to 'credit card administration.' His church has been thrown out of rented accommodation and moved on many times since May 2008.
Through its international network of missions, Release International serves persecuted Christians in 30 countries around the world by supporting pastors and Christian prisoners, and their families; supplying Christian literature and Bibles; and working for justice.g
This indication is contained in a report by the Release International (www.releaseinternational.org) a United Kingdom based registered charity organization adding that Church leaders and their congregations have been warned not to hold services during the games, which run from November 12 to 27 and which are being hosted by Guangzhou city.
“Sources for Release partner, China Aid said the ban is likely to last until January – which would have serious implications for Christmas celebrations. Officials have told pastors that the closure is due to 'security concerns'. A China Aid source said some churches were trying to get around the ban by splitting into much smaller groups and meeting at different locations,” the report said.
It continued: “In fact, it appears that the ban may well extend across the whole Pearl River delta area – which accounts for much of south Guangdong. This is certainly the understanding of Pastor Wang Dao, leader of the Guangzhou Liangren Church, who reports that a church in Jiangmen, further south, has also been issued with the ban.”
It noted that Pastor Wang is dubious about talk of 'security concerns' during the games. “I think it's just an excuse. So they can undertake a total crackdown on house churches, the Pastor stated.
It needs to be noted that Pastor Wang is currently on bail awaiting trial on charges relating to 'credit card administration.' His church has been thrown out of rented accommodation and moved on many times since May 2008.
Through its international network of missions, Release International serves persecuted Christians in 30 countries around the world by supporting pastors and Christian prisoners, and their families; supplying Christian literature and Bibles; and working for justice.g
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