China:100 Christians snatched in raids on underground church

(South China Morning Post) Worshippers taken from their homes and off the streets in coordinated crackdown across Chengdu in Sichuan province Pastor among those arrested About 100 worshippers at an unofficial church in southwestern China were snatched from their homes or from the streets in coordinated raids which began on Sunday evening. Chinese authorities targeted members of the Early Rain Covenant Church across various districts of Chengdu the provincial capital of Sichuan in what appears to be an effort to close down one of the countrys most prominent Protestant house churches. Members personal accounts and cell group discussions on social media channels were blocked at around 9pm on Sunday while the churchs telephone line was also cut. The homes of the churchs leaders including pastor Wang Yi were among those raided.