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Rose* is a Christian from Northwest China. She attended an Open Doors–supported persecution preparedness training a few months ago. Through tears, she couldn't help but share the struggles of her church. This is her story, in her own words, lightly edited and condensed for clarity.
My church is in a quiet, small county located in the northwest region of China. Recently, my town has become well-known because of some of the persecution incidents of Christians.
Our church has been suffering persecution for a few years. One time, the church was holding a workers' meeting, and some people came in. They were the authorities. All 20 workers and 10 other believers were caught and detained. [Our church] is a home church. The owner of the house was also detained with us. We had no idea how the authorities knew our meeting location and time so distinctly.
"I was once seriously ill, and no one could cure me. But God healed me and made me whole ... how could I not believe in Him?"
Rose*, Chinese believer
During our detention, we were taken to different places. It was difficult. We were asked all kinds of questions, and we were threatened. I panicked at one point. Some of our co-workers were also frightened; they felt weak in their bones thinking that their children would be unable to take college entrance examinations, which was used by the local authorities to threaten them. I was also worried that future gatherings would not be held because all co-workers had been exposed.
We were asked:
However, while being questioned, I took it as an opportunity to share my testimony. I told them I was once seriously ill, and no one could cure me. But God healed me and made me whole ... how could I not believe in Him?
Thank God we were released the next day. But after a few days, all my other co-workers, except me, were detained for 15 days, one after another on charges of illegal gathering.
Not long after this incident, the church faced another storm.
About 10 worship team members were gathering and learning about music. Suddenly, local authorities broke in and accused us of having an illegal gathering—again. Church members who were there defended themselves, saying that they were only learning how to sing, but the authorities kept asking why they were using hymn books if they just wanted to learn how to sing. The hymns were the proof, the authorities said.
All the worship team members were taken away for detention. One lady was detained for a day while others were detained for five to 15 days. They were fined 500 (approximately $70 USD), 700 or 1,000 RMB (Chinese Yuan, the national currency) depending on the number of days they were detained.
After these two waves of incidents, it became more difficult for our church to carry out our ministry activities. After all, our co-workers have been exposed, and we don't dare hold gatherings like before. Some believers still support gatherings, and some believers were against [gatherings].
But the Bible tells us not to stop gathering. We insist on our faith, and we also need to gather. We are very cautious now when going out. Our members gather in different ways, doing our best to confuse the authorities.
The situation is tense, and persecution still exists. Our church really needs you to raise your hands in prayer. I hope that one day you will come to visit us and encourage us.
*Names changed for security reasons.
