Sunday morning before we left the house I update my status as:
“It’s Sunday! The police know we are a church and know where we meet, nothing left to do but keep going forward trusting God! Psalm 5:11-12.”
We had problems on Wednesday with the police after a routine check up but we weren’t aware of how serious the problem was at that time. We just knew that the police knew about the church. You can read that update here.
Then somewhere around 11:30 on Sunday morning, just minutes after one of the Chinese pastors stood in front of the crowd and started preaching the Word of God, the door in the back opened and a line of people started to enter (at first I honestly thought “wow, look at all those visitors coming in!”). They continued to walk to the front of the auditorium, then I noticed some wearing police uniforms, and they walked to the front and stopped the preacher and stopped the service.
There were about 20 people in total, some police officers and others from the religious department. A few were in police uniforms but most were in civilian clothing. The had people at each of the doors blocking the exits. Then they continued to go to each person asking questions and gathering personal information. They separated the foreigners and the Chinese nationals. The took our information but of course none of us Americans had our passports.
One of the guys who claimed to be a cop asked me if I was a preacher and had preached here, I responded in the affirmative.
After collecting information from everyone in attendance the head guy gave a speech to the Chinese nationals and let them go, expect for the pastors and one church member.
Then they gave a speech to us foreigners and then let us go.
Afterwards, they took four of our members from the church (three pastors) to the police station and questioned them. We returned to the church, prayed and while we were waiting for any news from the guys, removed all of our stuff from our rented location and moved it to our other location. Not long after we were finished moving all our stuff everyone returned from the police station. Everyone seemed to be in good spirits and explained what happened at the police station and the questions they were asked.
Everyone started to calm down, we encourage each other to pray and trust God and people went there way.
August 7th, 2011 at 9:49 pm
Update on the prayer request for those in China: http://ow.ly/5XlZI
August 7th, 2011 at 10:49 pm
Been praying for you and the church all day and will continue. My church, First Baptist Church of Kenmore, is one of your supporters and I told our pastor tonight about what happened this morning. He announced it to the congregation and asked for prayer. I will keep watching for your updates. God keep you and protect you.
August 7th, 2011 at 10:55 pm
Thank you for updating your church, Dawn, and for remember us in your prayers!
August 8th, 2011 at 12:55 am
Found out from Bro. J. Elzey, announced to my congregation and we are praying for you and nationals and those that interogate or oppress the Lord’s people, that they may hear the gospel. If anything else I can do, please let me know. Meanwhile we’ll keep our church updated. God bless, pastor horst
August 8th, 2011 at 1:03 am
Thank you for the prayers and concern Bro. Horst!
August 8th, 2011 at 7:41 pm
I printed your prayer request out and took it to Church yesterday and everyone there are lifting you and your Church up in Prayer. I pray God’s protection on you. We will continue to pray for you all. God is still in Control!
August 9th, 2011 at 7:05 am
Thank your for taking the time to print it out and mobilize your church to pray for us. Thank you for praying for us!