After 30 years of existence, the theologically mainline church is accused of fraud and of being a xie jiao or a “cult.”
by Tao Niu
On August 10, 2022, the Church of Abundance (Fengsheng), a historical house church in Xi’an, Shaanxi, which managed to survive and operate for some thirty years, sent an appeal to Bitter Winter and other media, claiming that since July 20 it is the victim of a heavy crackdown by Xi’an Shilipu Subdistrict Police, led by an officer called Zhang Haibo.
Homes of believers have been raided, and some of them have been taken to the police station for interrogation. Money belonging to the church has been confiscated.
It seems that the police intends to accuse the pastor and elders of fraud. As reported to Bitter Winter, police officers insistently questioned the church members about donations. One officer told believers that the illegal collection of donations makes the church a xie jiao or a “cult,” although its theology is pretty much mainline.
They answered that the poorest members of the community have generously received from the church, and that they believe the money donated is largely used to support the poor.
The crackdown is however continuing, and the Church of Abundance asks for the prayer and support of those caring for the freedom of Chinese Christians.
