A well-known underground church in China was raided by police, leading to the detention of two leaders and questioning of dozens of followers.

An influential Protestant church in China reported that two of its leaders had been detained, with dozens of followers, including children, taken for questioning. The incident occurred during a gathering in Sichuan Province, where armed police suddenly entered the premises. The church, established in Chengdu in 2008, has drawn attention from authorities in the past.

Reverend Wang Yi, the founder of the church, was detained in a raid in December 2018 and sentenced to nine years in prison for “incitement to overthrow the state” and “illegally running a religious organization.” The current detention of two leaders, identified as Wu Qing and another unnamed individual, remains unclear in motive, according to the church’s statement. Chinese authorities have not issued a public response.

The church shared photos and videos depicting followers in a hotel lobby surrounded by police. Some estimates suggest at least 50 officers were present during the raid. Over 30 members and leaders were taken to a location referred to as “river oil guard” by police vehicles and questioned. During the detention, participants “consensually sang and prayed until most were released.”

The remaining group, including elders and children, was left in the hotel lobby. Police attempted to have them sign a statement to leave, but the content of the document was not disclosed. Some believers refused to sign and were eventually allowed to leave by 6 p.m. The release of those detained occurred between 9 and 11 p.m. on Sunday.

Pastors from the church have been detained by authorities in the past, including in January of this year, when police summoned them using the term “prostitution.” The Chinese government has consistently emphasized the need for Christians to participate only in officially recognized religious activities. This has led many believers to seek out underground churches, often referred to as “family churches.”

The Chinese government reported 44 million Christians in the country, though it is unclear if this figure includes underground church members. The Communist Party of China has maintained strict control over religious activities, requiring participation only in officially sanctioned events. Over the years, government oversight of religious groups has intensified, with increased arrests and scrutiny of unregistered congregations.

Source: Read the original report (translated from Mandarin Chinese)