XIAMEN, Fujian (ChinaAid) — Authorities in China’s Fujian province carried out campaigns against Christian house churches to meet a July 1 goal of clean-up and rectification.
As part of their efforts, authorities dispatched police to Xinzao Church to monitor the location each day. Officials issued an administrative shutdown notice against the church on June 19, citing establishment of “a meeting spot and organizing religious events without authorization.”
Church leadership submitted a defense to the Huli District Ethnic and Religious Affairs Bureau two days later. The bureau did not allow the church to request a hearing and appeal.
Police and government officials surrounded Xinzao Church on June 27. Reports state the group threatened congregants and cut off a surveillance camera. Church leadership said Bible study meetings moved to a different location.
Continue reading this story >>