China: 100 Christians Arrested in House Church Raid

                                           By  Carrie Dedrick   


            Over 100 people were arrested on Sunday (Sept. 21) in a house church raid in China’s Guangdong Province. The Christian Post reports that nearly 200 police officer interrupted a church service, arresting congregants for “illegal gathering.”

 

A member said, "We don't know exactly why they raided our church. The government does not want us to get together and worship as a church."

 

Most of the Christians were eventually released from authorities, but over 30 remain in custody. 

 

International Christian Concern (ICC) Regional Manager for Southeast Asia Sooyoung Kim said, "It is unbelievable that local authorities arrested over 100 church members, including children, in Foshan city. Even though most people have been released, the experience has been traumatizing.” 

 

"ICC urges local authorities in Guangdong Province to respect its citizens' rights to religious freedom, that the government of China says are upheld, and free these innocent Christians as soon as possible."

 

The raid was part of a larger government campaign against church assembly in the nation; only churches approved by the government are permitted to worship. At the same time, many churches that have government approval are now being ordered to shut their doors.