ERCC Prayer Letter - January 6, 2026

Early Rain Covenant Church, Chengdu • Prayer Letter

Peace to all brothers and sisters,

On January 6, 2026, Early Rain Covenant Church in Chengdu and related members encountered large-scale persecution. Based on currently confirmed information, the situation is as follows:

⸻

I. Members Taken Away or Placed Under Control (in known order)

1. Elder Li Yingqiang
On the morning of January 6, he was taken under control by relevant authorities at his home in Deyang, and his home was searched. He is currently out of contact. His wife, Sister Zhang Xinyue, and their two children are also temporarily unreachable. According to information from the police, Elder Li Yingqiang has been arrested, though no formal documentation has yet been seen.

2. Preacher Dai Zhichao
He had previously been notified that he was not permitted to leave the jurisdiction of his residence. At around 11:00 a.m. on January 6, he was taken under control at the church office, then brought to his home where it was searched, after which he went out of contact. It has now been confirmed that he is at the Jinniu District Case-Handling Center.

3. Brother Ye Fenghua (entire family)
The entire family was taken under control and their home was searched. They are currently out of contact.

4. Elder Yan Hong
Taken away at around 5:00 p.m. on January 6.

5. Preacher Wu Wuqing
Taken away at around 5:00 p.m. on January 6.

6. Deacon Zeng Qingtao
Previously restricted from leaving his residential compound and placed under surveillance. He was taken away at around 5:00 p.m. on January 6.

⸻

II. Members Currently Out of Contact

7. Deacon Jia Xuewei
Currently out of contact.

⸻

III. Other Related Developments
• At around 9:00 a.m. on January 6, personnel from the local police station arrived at a teaching site of the Early Rain Academy. The academy immediately organized teachers and students to evacuate and leave the site. Subsequently, the owner of the teaching site was summoned to the police station and pressured, and was informed that all items must be removed from the site by Friday.
• Brother Pan Fei was warned by his company leadership that his every move is under close surveillance. Later, he received further threats.

⸻

IV. Overall Situation

Based on the current information, this appears to be a coordinated operation targeting multiple elders, preachers, deacons of Early Rain Covenant Church, as well as their families. It involves multiple locations (Chengdu and Deyang), several core coworkers and family members, and includes home searches, restrictions on personal freedom, and loss of contact. The situation is still developing, and further details await confirmation.

⸻

V. Prayer Requests

We earnestly ask brothers and sisters to unite in prayer for the following:
• For the members who have been taken away, placed under control, or are out of contact, and for their families
• For the church to hold fast to the faith, to love one another, and to remain united amid persecution
• That the Lord Jesus Christ Himself would fight for His church, granting protection, endurance, and hope

*Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice.