A Tightening Grip

Last week, one of the pastors from our network was arrested. Since his arrest, no one knows where he is. Unlike usual, he was not taken to the local jail, where arrests are normally recorded. Our partners fear that he has been taken to a so-called “black prison”—an unofficial and illegal detention facility where people are often held without due process, isolated from the outside world, and interrogated. Concern is also growing because these events appear to be escalating. Yesterday we received further reports: Christians from various parts of China received calls from the police and were summoned to appear for questioning. Apparently, the authorities have access to the contact information of numerous believers in the network. Many are now asking with concern, “Are we next?”

These are very challenging days for the Body of Christ in China. Behind every summons stand families who are afraid. Now more than ever, they depend on God's protection and our prayers.