Church building destroyed, believers beaten in Jiangsu, China
by Staff
January 7, 2009
(christiansunite.com) - On the morning of December 17, the officially registered Chengnan Christian Church of Tinghu District in Jiangsu province was attacked by a mob led by government officials, according to a December 22 report from China Aid Association. Over 50 Christians were gathered for worship when police officers barged in and dragged several of the believers outside where more than a thousand people were gathered, including government officials and security guards.
The crowd then demolished the church's office, training centre and cafeteria and confiscated church property. Ten believers were beaten when they tried to stop the destruction. The church has faced ongoing harassment from government officials and had obtained a court order on the evening of December 16 to protect their building from such an attack.
It is suspected that the destruction was the result of officials and powerful businessmen working in collusion to obtain the coveted church property by force.
Pray for these Christians in the aftermath of this attack. Ask God to give healing to those injured. Pray that those responsible will come to repentance and be reconciled to God.
To learn more about those suffering for Christ's sake in China, go to www.persecution.net/china.htm.
