Chinese authorities have carried out a new wave of arrests targeting Christian church leaders, signaling an intensified crackdown on unregistered religious groups across the country.
Members of the Early Rain Covenant Church in Chengdu reported that at least seven individuals connected to the church were taken into custody during a series of coordinated actions that unfolded throughout the day. The arrests reportedly began early in the morning and continued into the evening, with police conducting searches of homes and church-related offices.
Early Rain Covenant Church is a well-known evangelical Presbyterian congregation that operates outside state control. Its leaders have long faced pressure from authorities for refusing to register with government-sanctioned religious organizations. The latest detentions follow earlier actions against other underground churches, including the high-profile Zion Church, where leaders were also detained in recent months.
Among those arrested were church elders, preachers, and family members of congregants. In several cases, individuals were taken from their homes or detained after being summoned to church offices. Some were later transferred to local detention or case-handling centers, while communication with others was temporarily lost.
Church representatives said one individual was released later the same day, but most remained in custody. The church has begun efforts to secure legal representation for those detained.
Authorities also moved against the Early Rain Academy, a school operated by the church. Teachers and students were reportedly instructed to evacuate, and the property owner was summoned to a police station and told the premises must be cleared within days.
The church has faced sustained pressure since 2018, when its senior pastor and other leaders were arrested and later sentenced to lengthy prison terms on charges related to state security. That earlier case became a focal point for international concern over religious freedom in China.
Advocates for religious liberty say the latest arrests reflect a broader national policy aimed at eliminating independent religious activity. According to observers, unregistered churches are increasingly being warned to submit to state oversight or face criminal penalties. Reports also suggest growing restrictions on online religious services and religious education for minors.
Human rights advocates argue the campaign is part of a wider effort by the government to exert tighter ideological control over civil society. They warn that religious groups operating outside official channels face escalating risks as authorities reduce tolerance for independent worship.
The situation remains fluid, and church leaders say they are continuing to gather information on those detained while urging prayer and support for affected families.
