Elder Li Yingqiang, along with his wife and children, was arrested in the Jan. 6 crackdown against Early Rain Church.
Elder Li Yingqiang, along with his wife and children, was arrested in the Jan. 6 crackdown against Early Rain Church.
Feb. 19, 2026 | China

Early Rain Church Targeted in New Crackdown

[8] prayers in [1] nation have been posted for church members.

On Jan. 6, 2026, members of the Early Rain Covenant Church in Chengdu, China, were subjected to a large-scale crackdown that involved searches of multiple church sites and homes. According to information released by the church and verified by multiple sources, several church elders, preachers, deacons and their family members were detained. The whereabouts of some individuals has been preliminarily confirmed while others remained unreachable. Among those arrested or detained are elder Li Yingqiang and his wife, Zhang Xinyue; preacher Dai Zhichao; the family of Brother Ye Fenghua; elder Yan Hong; preacher Wu Wuqing; and deacon Zeng Qingtao. Local police officers also appeared at a school operated by the church and ordered the landlord to clear the facility. Since the crackdown began, other church members have been temporarily detained, and family members of those arrested have been harassed and displaced.

Click here to find out about Christian persecution in China and learn how to pray.

Write your own prayer for church members

  • Please Lord Father,
    Be with these Christians in China whose church has been persecuted by this crackdown. Help those arrested, detained and harassed to experience Your peace and love. Help them to be brought back together so they can fellowship with each other and worship You. In Jesus name, amen.
    Scott P - USA
  • LORD, please hear our prayers for Li, Zhang, Dai, Ye, Yan, Wu and Zeng. Erase fear from the students of the Early Rain Covenant Church and all those waiting to hear about their loved ones. Hide your family from the government seeking to destroy their faith and sow despair. Spread courage and comfort, LORD. Thank you.
    Mary M - USA
  • Father God, be with our Sisters and brothers in Christ in China. Please provide safety & courage & boldness to them during this persecution. Help them to be wise as serpents & gentle as doves as they are dealing with the enemy. Let no weapon formed against them prosper but let Your Word go out unhindered. In the Name of Jesus Christ. Amen
    Rebecca C - USA
  • Dear Father we pray for your presence with all your children who are being detained in the crackdown on the Early R!in c&urch. Give them words to reply to their captors . Keep them strong in faith. We pray that they may be speedily released. In Jesus name, Amen.
    Lois Y - USA
  • Dear Lord,

    We pray for those affected by the crackdown: for the pastors and other church members who have been temporarily detained, and family members of those arrested have been harassed and displaced. We know that persecution will come, but use this to shine a light to their church community, that all is worth it to spread Your Gospel.

    Amen!
    Chris R - USA
  • Lord may Your peace be with all the Early Rain church members. Especially those who are detained and their whereabouts are unknown. Jeff Franklin
    Jeff F - USA
  • Dear Heavenly Father, may those among the leaders of the Early Rain Church who have been arrested, detained and harassed by the Chinese authorities put their hope and trust in Jesus Christ. May the Holy Spirit comfort them by restoring their joy and peace. May the authorities repent of their sins and cease their harassment of the Early Rain Church.
    Bill P - USA
  • Beloved Father: Please release our brethren from the Early Rain Church who were incarcerated in this new crackdown. Please protect, strengthen, & encourage those who are harassed by the communists. Please provide all of that our brethren stand in need. Make Your terror fall upon the communists to bring them to repentance before You. In Jesus' Name.
    Mario C - USA
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