Early Rain Covenant Church

Early Rain Covenant Church is a prominent, unregistered Protestant church located in China, specifically in the Sichuan province. Operating outside of state-sanctioned religious organizations, it is considered an 'underground' or 'house' church. The church is newsworthy due to a recent intensification of government crackdowns on unregistered Christian groups in China. Recent events include the detention of church leaders, including Li Yingqiang, and the arrest of nine members following police raids on their homes. These actions highlight the ongoing tension between the Chinese government and independent religious organizations, reflecting the government's efforts to control religious practice and expression within the country. The church's situation underscores the broader challenges faced by religious groups operating outside state control in China.