What happened
Chinese authorities have reportedly detained Christian pastors and church workers from a prominent house-church network, as part of an expanding crackdown on house churches in the country. The detentions are said to have occurred at the Beijing Jiaquan Church, which has been ministering in the city for over 20 years and has a significant following among younger urban Christians.
According to ChinaAid, a Christian human rights organization, the number of people detained, their whereabouts, and the charges they may face are still unknown. The organization is working to confirm the details and is also investigating whether other Jiaquan congregations outside of Beijing were targeted.
The reported detentions are part of a larger pattern of government pressure against independent congregations in China. In recent years, authorities have launched coordinated raids against other prominent house churches, including the Beijing Zion Church and the Chengdu Early Rain Covenant Church.
ChinaAid founder and President Bob Fu has called on Chinese authorities to disclose the identities and whereabouts of the detainees, explain the legal grounds for holding them, and provide access to independent legal counsel. Fu has also urged American leaders to address China's treatment of peaceful Christians, particularly in light of Chinese President Xi Jinping's recent meeting with President Donald Trump.
