Influential Church Reports Arrests as Pressure on Christians Intensifies in China

An influential Protestant church in China has reported the arrest of several of its leaders, signalling what observers say is a renewed and widening crackdown on underground Christian groups across the country. The developments come amid heightened enforcement of religious regulations and growing pressure on congregations that operate outside state approved structures.

The Early Rain Covenant Church said nine members were detained on Tuesday after police raided their homes and the church’s office in the city of Chengdu. Among those taken into custody were prominent church leaders involved in teaching and organisational work. By Wednesday, five of the detainees had been released, while the remaining four were still being held, according to the church.

In a statement circulated among supporters, the church said the raids were carried out without warning and involved the seizure of personal belongings and religious materials. It described the actions as part of a broader pattern of intimidation aimed at discouraging independent worship and dismantling informal church networks that refuse to register with the state.

Early Rain Covenant Church has long been regarded as one of China’s most prominent unregistered Protestant congregations. It has attracted attention both inside and outside the country for its outspoken stance on religious freedom and its refusal to join official religious bodies overseen by the state. Its leaders have previously faced detention, surveillance and restrictions on movement.

At the same time, reports from eastern China suggest that pressure is not limited to underground groups. In the city of Wenzhou, authorities began demolishing the Yayang Church building, according to footage obtained by ChinaAid, a non profit group that monitors religious persecution. The videos show heavy machinery tearing into the structure as officials looked on.

Wenzhou, often referred to as China’s Jerusalem because of its large Christian population, has been a focal point for religious regulation campaigns in recent years. Authorities have previously ordered the removal of crosses and the closure of churches, citing zoning violations or safety concerns. Critics argue that such measures are selectively enforced to limit religious visibility and influence.

Analysts say the latest arrests and demolitions reflect a tightening approach toward Christianity under policies that emphasise control, conformity and loyalty to the state. Religious groups are required to operate under strict guidelines that align worship with official interpretations of Chinese culture and socialist values. Those that resist face increasing risks.

Chinese officials have consistently said that citizens enjoy freedom of religious belief, but stress that religious activities must comply with the law and avoid threatening social stability or national security. In practice, enforcement has often focused on groups that maintain foreign links, large followings or independent leadership structures.

For many Christians, the recent actions have reinforced a sense of vulnerability. Members of unregistered churches say they face a constant dilemma between maintaining their faith communities and avoiding punishment. Some congregations have chosen to disband or meet in smaller groups, while others continue despite the risks.

International human rights organisations have expressed concern about the trend, warning that pressure on religious communities is intensifying rather than easing. They argue that arrests of clergy and demolition of churches send a chilling message to believers across the country.

As China continues to tighten oversight of civil society, the fate of churches like Early Rain and Yayang illustrates the narrowing space for independent religious expression. For now, congregations remain uncertain how far the crackdown will go, but many fear that arrests and demolitions may become increasingly common.