100 churches closed in China province

[LoricaLady]

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Scores of churches have been shut down in a central China province as the crackdown on Christianity continues.

By the end of May, almost 100 house churches had been forcibly closed in Henan, according to Release partner China Aid. Even state-registered churches have been ordered to remove crosses from their buildings.

Please pray for churches in Henan facing a fresh wave of persecution.

The official crackdown began in February and appears to have been prompted by new Regulations for Religious Affairs which relate to registering church activities.

In Ningling County, local Christians now report that officials have ordered all churches to remove their crosses. Others in Ningling say that officials are insisting only five people can meet together without official permission – and are posting guards at church gates to limit numbers.

Back in March, many Christians were detained in Luoning County, and preaching and gathering for worship were said to have been banned.

China Aid reports that the Communist Party appears to be instigating the crackdown through conferences for local officials focusing on ‘ethnic and religious affairs’. Church closures in Ningling began soon after one such event in Shiqiao town.

• Pray for wisdom for church leaders in Henan, that they will seek God’s face and hear His voice clearly.
• Pray that Christians whose churches have been closed will find new ways to have fellowship. Pray that their faith will be refined and strengthened through persecution (1 Peter 1:6-7).
• Ask God to speak to Henan officials charged with enforcing new regulations on religion. Pray that they will start to question the motivation behind such decrees – and want to learn more about Jesus. (See below for more about our #Pray50campaign.)

(Source: China Aid)

ERITREAN PASTOR FREED AFTER 11 YEARS

Thank God that Eritrean pastor, Oqbamichel Haiminot, has been released from prison after 11 years behind bars. This was the third and longest time the Kale Hiwot Church leader had been imprisoned: he was jailed in 2003 and 2005. Please pray for his complete physical and spiritual healing: he’s believed to be in need of medical care.

(Sources: Various)

 

[Call me Nic]

Whoa, that's terrifying. I will pray for the brothers and sisters in Christ over in China.

 

[dqhall]

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Scores of churches have been shut down in a central China province as the crackdown on Christianity continues.

By the end of May, almost 100 house churches had been forcibly closed in Henan, according to Release partner China Aid. Even state-registered churches have been ordered to remove crosses from their buildings.

Please pray for churches in Henan facing a fresh wave of persecution.

The official crackdown began in February and appears to have been prompted by new Regulations for Religious Affairs which relate to registering church activities.

In Ningling County, local Christians now report that officials have ordered all churches to remove their crosses. Others in Ningling say that officials are insisting only five people can meet together without official permission – and are posting guards at church gates to limit numbers.

Back in March, many Christians were detained in Luoning County, and preaching and gathering for worship were said to have been banned.

China Aid reports that the Communist Party appears to be instigating the crackdown through conferences for local officials focusing on ‘ethnic and religious affairs’. Church closures in Ningling began soon after one such event in Shiqiao town.

• Pray for wisdom for church leaders in Henan, that they will seek God’s face and hear His voice clearly.
• Pray that Christians whose churches have been closed will find new ways to have fellowship. Pray that their faith will be refined and strengthened through persecution (1 Peter 1:6-7).
• Ask God to speak to Henan officials charged with enforcing new regulations on religion. Pray that they will start to question the motivation behind such decrees – and want to learn more about Jesus. (See below for more about our #Pray50campaign.)

(Source: China Aid)

​

ERITREAN PASTOR FREED AFTER 11 YEARS

Thank God that Eritrean pastor, Oqbamichel Haiminot, has been released from prison after 11 years behind bars. This was the third and longest time the Kale Hiwot Church leader had been imprisoned: he was jailed in 2003 and 2005. Please pray for his complete physical and spiritual healing: he’s believed to be in need of medical care.

(Sources: Various)

Early Roman Christians had to meet in the Catacombs underground. Christian meetings were banned by the government, but people were allowed to meet for funerals. Christians organized memorial observances in the underground burial areas for the purpose of sharing their faith. In a place like Henan, China one ought not advertise Christian meetings to the world. The Jews have also endured much persecution. In some places their synagogues appear like plain buildings without brightly lit signs on them. They even had synagogue services in small rooms of hotels with small groups attending.

Luke 11:5-6(WEB)
5 "When you pray, you shall not be as the hypocrites, for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Most certainly, I tell you, they have received their reward. 6 But you, when you pray, enter into your inner room, and having shut your door, pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.

 

[drjean]

Jay Sekulow‏Verified account @JaySekulow

#Chinese Christians are experiencing heightened pressure imposed on house churches since the revised Regulations on Religious Affairs came into effect. It’s blatant #persecution & #discrimination. It must not be allowed.


https://aclj.org/persecuted-church/has-the-winter-for-house-churches-in-china-already-come?utm_source=Twitter&utm_medium=Informational&utm_content=Persecuted Church&sf90267186=1

Persecution may obstruct a visible rapid expansion of a church. But it can also be an opportunity to purify a church and revive Christians to live by faith. As the Chinese saying goes, “Life springs from sorrow and calamity, while death comes from ease and pleasure.” Has the winter for house churches in China already come? Maybe. But the spring is also closer.

Read more of the ACLJ’s legal analyses of the plight of Chinese Christians:

• The Impact of the New Oversea NGO Law on Missionary and House Church Work in China
• China’s Crackdown on WeChat – Will the Last Free Platform for Chinese Christians to Share the Gospel be Destroyed?
• Bibles Banned from being Sold Online in China
• Will China Soon Move Away From Its Current Population Control Policy?
• Battle for the Next Generation – Religious Freedom No Longer Enjoyed by Minors in China?