House-church leader in Qu County, Sichuan, arrested

On March 10, Ms. Liao Zhongxiu, leader of a house church in Qu County, Sichuan Province, was arrested on so called “suspicion of utilizing a cult organization in undermining the implementation of the state law and regulations.” She is currently detained at Qu County Detention Center.

China Aid is reporting that Zhongxiu’s arrest is the result of her leading church members to hire attorneys to defend the legitimate rights of the church following an attack in September 2010.

On September 26, 2010, the local Public Security Bureau (PSB) raided Youqing Church in Qu County. Police officers smashed items in the church, confiscated books, took people to the local police station and then forced their families to pay money to bail them out. On September 29, some Christians from the church went to the PSB station to negotiate retrieval of confiscated items in accordance with law. Five believers were arrested on the spot and were detained for 15 days.

Please pray for Liao Zhongxiu’s release. Pray for physical, emotional and spiritual strength. Pray the believers who attend Youqing Church and Zhongxiu’s house church will continue to share the love of Christ with those around them while showing Christ’s love to those who seek to oppress them.