In an unexpected turn of events, Pastor David Tang and six associates from the Purpose Driven Church have been detained in Wenzhou, China. The arrests occurred at approximately 7:30 am on August 5, according to a statement from the Day of Prayer and Fasting for Persecuted Churches in China on X. The charges remain unspecified, and their current location is undisclosed.
Wenzhou, a city with a notably high Christian population, stands out in a country where Christians constitute an estimated two to nine percent of the population. In contrast, Wenzhou’s Christian demographic is believed to range between 11 and 20 percent. Despite this significant presence, Zhejiang province authorities have historically not shied away from enacting anti-Christian measures.
Between 2014 and 2016, over 1,500 churches in the region had their crosses removed. More recently, in June of last year, Wenzhou’s mayor led a team into Yayang church, forcibly entering the premises to install a flagpole and raise the Chinese national flag. This was followed by intensified scrutiny of church members, culminating in December when hundreds were detained overnight for questioning, involving over 1,000 police officers.
The Yayang church faced further adversity when its building was demolished earlier this year, with operations starting in early 2026 and concluding in May.
Nationwide, church leaders and administrative figures often find themselves targeted. Accusations of financial misconduct have surfaced, particularly against those managing church funds, even when congregations have not reported financial discrepancies.
Mervyn Thomas, the founder and president of Christian Solidarity Worldwide, expressed grave concerns regarding the situation. “We are deeply concerned at the incommunicado detention of Pastor David Tang and six other members of Purpose Driven Church in Wenzhou with no information provided regarding their whereabouts or legal status. Enforced disappearance and arbitrary detention are serious violations of international human rights standards,” he stated.
He further urged, “We urge the Chinese authorities to disclose immediately the whereabouts of these Christians, ensuring they have access to legal representation and their families, and releasing them unless credible evidence of a recognisable criminal offence is produced. No one should face detention simply for peacefully exercising their right to freedom of religion or belief.”
This article was originally written by www.christiantoday.com
