Persecution targets the future of the Church, aiming to squeeze out Christianity.
bottom“My husband is under surveillance. If the day comes when he is taken away, I ask God for the courage to stand firm.”
– Lan* and her husband lead a secret house church.
*Name changed for security purposes
According to the ruling Chinese Communist Party (CCP), Christianity in China is a threat that must be tightly controlled and contained. While there are registered churches in China, these are closely overseen by the state, which monitors what is preached and who is present. Under-18s are not permitted to attend. These restrictions are to ensure the ‘sinicisation’ of churches – that is, the aligning of religious doctrine with CCP ideology.
This intrusion means that many churches decide not to register, meeting underground instead as house churches. These gatherings face raids, fines, arrests, imprisonments, and the confiscation of materials. A revision of religion laws in 2018 is driving much of this opposition, including regulations covering the internet alongside highly sophisticated surveillance. It means believers must be careful what they share online, even among friends in private chats.
With under 18s banned from churches, parents and churches courageously seek creative ways to reach out to the next generation, but this comes with significant risk, even online. Consequently, there are concerns over what this means for the future of the Church in China.
Those involved in house churches are especially susceptible to hostility. This particularly impacts leaders, Christians under the age of 18, and ministry workers focused on the next generation of Christians. They run the risk of surveillance, harassment, imprisonment, abduction, and physical abuse. This targeting often achieves another stated aim of the authorities: intimidating entire congregations.
– Pray for protection for those who worship in unregistered churches, knowing that at any point their church could be shut down.
– Pray for young believers and their parents, that God will raise up a new generation of Chinese Christians.
– Pray for wisdom and strength for church leaders who feel caught between protecting their congregations and fulfilling their calling.
Open Doors partners support persecuted Christians in China in various ways: practically and by providing literature and discipleship training.
