China Shuts Down, Changes Locks on 1,000-Member Church

Shouwang Church - Source: http://www.asianews.it

By Michael Foust - Posted at Christian Headlines:

China shut down a well-known 1,000-member Beijing church over the weekend and then changed the locks to prevent members from returning to the building.

The congregation, Shouwang Church, made worldwide headlines five years ago when it stood up to Chinese leaders and refused to register with the government. Its senior pastor, Jin Tian-ming, remains under house arrest.

In the latest confrontation, more than 20 Chinese police and government officials raided a children’s Bible school class Saturday and told church leaders the congregation could no longer meet, according to International Christian Concern (ICC).

Chinese officials also ordered the pastor, Zhang Xiaofeng, to sign a document claiming the church “has conducted activities as a social organization without registration, which is in violation of Regulations of Religious Affairs and Regulations on the Registration and Management of Social Organizations.”

Government officials then changed the building’s locks. Shouwang is one of the largest house churches in Beijing, according to ICC.

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HT: Sermon Audio

See also:

• Chinese Authorities Ban Major House Church in Beijing (Christian News Network)