09/24/2018 China (International Christian Concern) – Christians in China are facing server persecution in light of ongoing Communist crackdown. In one case with a church in Henan, officials came into a church meeting forcing believers to sign papers rejecting their Christian faith. Afterwards, they burned the Bibles and Crosses within the church. The video of the incident went viral among the Christians in the community.

For the past decade, this has been an increasing issue among believers through China. However, the church has continued to grow, with many unregistered churches and international support. This all changed, in February of 2018 when President Xi Jinping revised some of the regulations, cracking down on religious activities and those who support them more. These regulations have forced churches to shut their door and lead to the confiscation of bibles and crosses, as with the case in Henan.

An Open Doors representative stated that Christians are “tempted and threatened not to admit their Christian faith in order to avoid trouble. Their Christian faith is being challenged and tested,”

However, it doesn’t end here. Chinese authorities are now hoping to crack down on the spread of the pastor’s network, by monitoring the digital world. China Christian Daily reported that draft outlines have already been issues and are set, to be the “country’s first regulation on religious messaging services.”

According to the chair of the U.S. Commissions on International Religious Freedoms, Tenzin Dorjee the “government is targeting religious believers, including Christians, like never before.” He added that they are at risk of “discrimination, harassment, detention or enforced disappearances, imprisonment, and even torture. No one is safe…”

However, despite the persecution the church remains hopeful. One pastor states that they will “not accept any ‘ban’ or ‘fine’ imposed on our churches due to our faith. For the sake of the Gospel, we are prepared to bear all losses — even the loss of our freedom and our lives.”

For interviews with Gina Goh, ICC’s Regional Manager, please contact Olivia Miller, Communications Coordinator: [email protected].