Chinese Officials Relent, Jinan Adventist Church Allowed to Worship

Shandong, China: May 04, 2010, (PCTV Newsdesk)

On May 1, members of Jinan Seventh-Day Adventist Church were once again allowed to meet at their rented site, having been forced to worship outdoors for more than two months, following a raid by Shandong Public Security officials on February 27.

The officials disrupted Jinan church during their morning service, ordering the 200 members to cease all activities by March 5, and forcibly terminating their church building rental contract.

Photo: Shandong officials raided Jinan 7th-Day Adventist Church on February 27, forcing the congregation to worship outdoors. The church immediately issued a statement urging the international community to pray for Shandong authorities to end the persecution and to restore their church properties to them. Statement by Jinan Church (Chinese, English).

Saturday morning's service on May 1 marked the first time the Jinan congregation was able to meet indoors without harassment. The pastors and members expressed their deep gratitude for the international awareness raised on their behalf, which led to the government's response to allow them to meet for worship.

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