11/14/2018 China (International Christian Concern) – A recent study conducted by a scholar and pastor, Liu Tongsu, gives insight through empirical data on the persecution faced by the Church in China. Although the survey originally was to be handed to over 100 participants at a conference, government interference by China made it not possible for a large majority of them to show up at the conference . Nonetheless, 17 were able to hand in their questionnaires and its results were published by the religious freedom organization China Aid.

The question to be answered by the study was “How have Chinese house churches been persecuted by the [Chinese] political power and what are the consequences?”. Pastor Liu designed a series of questions to measure the extent of government persecution and the churches’ responses.

From the data gathered, results showed that 57% of churches have been directly harassed, while 88% have experienced harassment indirectly. Of the 9 churches that were directly harassed, all were required to join the Three-Self-Churches, which suggests the goal of government officials is to move house churches to merge with the state’s Three-Self-Churches.

Although the church in China is experiencing relentless persecution, the results also showed that none of the churches participating in the questionnaire stopped gather due to persecution. This being a testament of the unwavering faith and commitment displayed by the Chinese house churches while enduring persecution.

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