Pastor’s Wife arrested by Communist ‘Religion Police’ during Church’s Summer Camp in China
Police and the communist government’s religion bureau officials raided a house church’s summer camp in Gushi located in the province of Henan.
According to reports, the pastor’s wife and some young children were learning music.
China Aid, an international non-profit Christian human rights organization, reports government officials accused the house church members of organizing a religious event without prior authorization.
During the raid conducted by 30 or more Chinese officials on August 23, church property was confiscated including chairs, desks, along with a projecting device. They also arrested the church’s pastor and his wife.
Wang Guangming, a church leader, told China Aid that the church was hosting summer camp that day, teaching elementary school students piano, guitar, and music theory.
“I was not present at the church that day,” he said on August 28. “They came and said that we were gathering illegally, and confiscated my personal property, including projector, desks, chairs, fans, and speaker. They have not brought them back as of today.”
Another member said, the officials from the Ethnic and Religious Affairs Bureau claimed that they have received “a tip from residents” during their raid. No one wore a uniform or showed their IDs.
Once they entered, they started to videotape and take photos. The pastor’s wife was taken away by the police, according to International Christian Concern, a persecution watchdog.
Earlier in August, Gushi Town Ethnic and Religious Affairs Bureau issued an official notice encouraging citizens to report “illegal” (not government-approved) religious events. The administration offers approximately 500 yuan ($73.00 US) as an incentive for residents to report “illegal” religious meeting locations and activities.
The Bureau previously said the investigation to crack down on illegal religious activities would last until September 20.
SOURCE: CBN NEWS
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