Police summon Elder Li Yingqiang and nine other ERCC Christians to police station after memorial service of congregant’s father

        Source:                www.ChinaAid.org
Date:                     June 14, 2021

Police summoned Elder Li Yingqiang and others for visiting congregant. 

(Photo: ChinaAid resource video screenshot)

(Chengdu, Sichuan Province—June14, 2021) During the morning of June 12, Early Rain Covenant Church (ERCC) held a memorial service for the father of Zhu Lei, a congregant of the church. That afternoon after Elder Li Yingqiang officiated the memorial service, he and several other Christians from ERCC visited Sister Zhu to comfort her and her family. At approximately 5 pm, seven police officers from Guangrong Police Station seized and transported all the Christians present to their station for interrogation.

Police detained the following ERCC congregants without showing a warrant:

Sister Zhu Lei, grieving the loss of her father,
Chen Zhibin Sister Zhu's husband,
Elder Li Yingqiang,
Yang Yang,
Yang Fang,
Sister Zhong Min,
Brother Pan Fei,
Sister Yang Haiyan, and
Two siblings of Liu Yingxu and Liu Hengqi.

ERCC congregants attempt to negotiate with police. 
 (Photo: ChinaAid resource video screenshot)

In the past, due to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) 129 crackdown, authorities imprisoned Elder Li for eight months, Afterwards, authorities released him on bail and transported him back to his hometown where he remained for a year. In September, after Elder Li’s bail ended in August 2020, he, his wife, and children returned to Chengdu where he continued to serve the church. Chengdu police’s harassment and persecution of him also continued.

Li Yingqiang's kids welcome him back home from police station.
 (Photo: Zhang Xinyue’s WeChat Moment)

Each Sunday morning, police arrived at Elder Li’s residence, knocked on his door, and summoned him to the police station. Officers also threatened to involve his wife and their children. Meanwhile, Chengdu police escalated their repression on other ERCC congregants, frequently summoning them to their station as well. In November 2020, police forced Li Yingqiang’s family to move to Mianyang. While Elder Li lived in Mianyang, police contracted to shut off the water, electricity, and gas to his apartment.

In addition to Chengdu police summoning Minister Wu Wuqing to their station in May for hosting a memorial service, they have regularly persecuted Minister Wu and others throughout the past half year, frequently summoning them to their station. Since the 129 crackdown, Chengdu police have made every effort to disband ERCC—but to no avail.

Zhang Xinyue, Elder Li Yingqiang’s wife, posted:

Li Yingqiang has been prepared for being jailed again since being released from the detention center. On June 11, he deliberately played chess with our little son twice. He left home early today [June 12]. Last night, our youngest son cried and asked, "Daddy, will you promise you will return home tomorrow?"

Elder Li did not promise.

Nevertheless, we have peace in our hearts,

We ate fried rice.

Thank you for praying for us.

~ Yu Bing, ChinaAid Special Reporter

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These things I have spoken to you, 

that in Me you may have peace.
 In the world you will have tribulation; 
but be of good cheer,

            I have overcome the world.             
                                                  ~ John 16:33 (NKJV)

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