This English version may have been machine-generated from the Chinese original and may not convey the original meaning accurately.
Recently, relatively eased news regarding church-related cases has emerged from some areas of mainland China. However, the persecution of Early Rain Covenant Reformed Church in Chengdu has not diminished in the slightest.
On August 13, 2026, Elder Yan Hong and several brothers and sisters came to the home of Teacher Hua, a church member, to celebrate Teacher Hua’s 60th birthday. What was originally just an ordinary family gathering was suddenly raided by Chengdu police. The police took away the brothers and sisters at the scene, handcuffed Elder Yan Hong, and forcibly removed him.
Even a birthday gathering can become a reason for the police to mobilize and arrest Christians.
This is not merely persecution against a church; it is also a trampling of citizens’ basic rights, freedom of religious belief, and normal family life. Christians gathering to celebrate a birthday, fellowship with one another, and pray together are all perfectly ordinary activities. Yet in a highly controlled society, they have become targets for monitoring and suppression.
We cannot choose silence simply because the persecution is happening to someone else.
History has told us again and again: when a society allows power to wantonly trample on human dignity, the people being persecuted today may be Christians, but tomorrow they could be any ordinary person.
May we continue to pray for Elder Yan Hong, Teacher Hua, and all the brothers and sisters who have been taken away, asking God to protect them and grant them courage, peace, and perseverance in their trials.
“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” —Matthew 5:10
May the truth be seen, may justice not be forgotten, and may the persecuted church continue to hold fast to its faith amid suffering.