In the early hours of 15 Dec 2025, more than 1,000 police officers surrounded and forcibly stormed Yayang Church in Yayuan (Yayang) Town, Taishun County, Wenzhou City, Zhejiang Province. Several hundred believers inside were arrested and held at undisclosed locations until about 11:00 a.m., and key church coworkers were placed under criminal detention. Reporting also says roads leading to the church were sealed off, personal belongings were confiscated, and local Christians were barred from entering Yayang Church afterward.

Separate reporting describes a broader operation between 13–18 Dec 2025 targeting Christians in Yayuan Town, including claims that over 100 people were detained within the first two days and that information related to the operation was tightly controlled. The same account says authorities issued wanted notices for two church leaders—Lin Enzhao (58) and Lin Enci (54)—accusing them of “picking quarrels and provoking trouble”, without publicly presenting specific evidence.

Both accounts link the crackdown to pressure on unregistered/independent church life and compliance demands. ChinaAid reports the crackdown targeted twelve independent house churches in the Yayang-area Assembly network (described as Watchman Nee–style Assembly tradition congregations), while Uyghur Times cites informed sources saying the operation was triggered by resistance to “Sinicization of religion” policies, including refusal to display the national flag inside church premises. ChinaAid also describes earlier pressure beginning 25 Jun 2025 involving demolition of walls/doors at “Yayang West” and enforcement of national-flag and surveillance-camera requirements.

What this means: The reported scale—>1,000 officers, mass arrests, criminal detention of key coworkers, and post-raid access restrictions—signals a high-intensity enforcement posture toward independent Christian networks in this locality. The linkage to compliance disputes—flag display and surveillance-camera requirements and reported resistance to “Sinicization” measures—highlights how administrative controls can rapidly escalate into criminal allegations.

Who's at risk: House-church networks in and around Yayuan (Yayang) Town, Taishun County, Wenzhou City, Zhejiang, especially those connected to the twelve-church Yayang-area Assembly network, face elevated detention and disruption risk. Leaders specifically named in reporting—Lin Enzhao and Lin Enci—appear at heightened legal jeopardy due to the use of “picking quarrels and provoking trouble”.

Outlook: Watch for follow-on actions consistent with a sustained campaign, including continued restrictions on access to Yayang Church and additional detentions reported during 13–18 Dec. Public signaling may continue: reporting notes a fireworks display on 15 Dec and an “anti-crime”/oath-taking mobilization rally on 18 Dec featuring armed police, which could indicate further enforcement pressure on local believers and affiliated congregations.

PLATEAU STATE, NIGERIA – A pastor reported that terrorists attacked a mining site in Atoso Fan District, Barkin Ladi Local Government Area, Plateau State, killing 12 Christians on December 16, 2025. Pastor Ezekiel Dachomo released the names and ages of the victims, including two minors.

KAMPALA, UGANDA – A Baptist International Missions, Inc. (BIMI) missionary couple from Virginia was involved in a vehicle-train collision in Kampala, Uganda. Missionary Savannah Gardner was killed, her husband Matt Gardner was hospitalized with internal injuries, and their two young sons were not injured.

KABBA, NIGERIA – Church activities in Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area were suspended “till further notice” by the Obaro of Kabba and the Christian Association of Nigeria following reported attacks on churches, abductions, and other security breaches. The suspension followed a meeting at the monarch’s palace and cited a credible security report of bandit attacks on churches and recovered arms and ammunition in Kogi State.

RADIMANA VILLAGE, SOUTH AFRICA – Three church congregants (one man and two women) were killed and five others injured when lightning struck inside a church tent during an overnight prayer service in Radimana Village, Limpopo, South Africa around 1am on December 14, 2025. South African Police Service opened an inquest docket following the incident during heavy rain and thunderstorms.

AYETORO KIRI, NIGERIA – Bandits abducted approximately 20 worshippers from the First Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) during a Sunday church service in Ayetoro Kiri, Kogi State. The attackers fired shots to cause panic, reportedly killed one person identified as “Jay-Jay,” and forced multiple worshippers into nearby bush paths.

No current updates.

No current updates.

AMABEDA, INDIA – Two churches were set ablaze in Amabeda village, Kanker district, Chhattisgarh, after a disputed burial escalated into clashes that injured villagers and police. Officials said the body was exhumed following villagers’ objections and an executive magistrate’s order, and authorities intervened to de-escalate the situation.

YAYANG TOWN, CHINA – On December 15, 2025, Chinese authorities carried out a large-scale operation in Yayang Town (Taishun County, Wenzhou City, Zhejiang Province) targeting Yayang Church and 12 independent house churches. More than 1,000 police reportedly raided the church, arresting several hundred believers and placing key church coworkers under criminal detention while restricting Christians from entering the church.

SINGAPORE, SINGAPORE – Singapore Police Force evacuated St Joseph’s Church on Upper Bukit Timah Road after a suspicious item was reported. The item had no explosive elements, and a 26-year-old church volunteer was arrested for allegedly placing it to create a false impression of an explosive device.

BANDUNG, INDONESIA – A suspicious cardboard box with visible cables was reported outside the Simalungun Protestant Christian Church (GKPS) at the ITC Kosambi shophouse complex in Bandung, prompting police bomb disposal and special operations deployment. Police determined it contained only a wooden stick and no explosives, and are reviewing CCTV and interviewing witnesses to identify who placed it and whether it is linked to cross markings on the church exterior.

No current updates.

LAKESIDE, UNITED STATES – A church in Lakeside reported vandalism after a pentagram was painted near the front door and the church flag was stolen and replaced with a pentagram banner. A 25-year-old Lakeside man faces felony charges in Flathead County in connection with the incident.

SAVANNAH, UNITED STATES – A woman was severely burned after a corrosive substance was poured on her while walking through Forsyth Park in Savannah after attending a Christmas program at a nearby church. The attacker had not been identified and the motive was unknown.

NATCHITOCHES, UNITED STATES – A couple in Natchitoches, Louisiana, was arrested following a 10-month investigation into the alleged theft of $156,000 from Ashland Baptist Church. Authorities said the couple wrote and cashed more than 100 unauthorized checks payable to cash.

CLEVELAND, UNITED STATES – Cleveland police arrested a 14-year-old boy linked to multiple vehicle break-ins and damage in church parking lots across Cleveland. The juvenile was found with several firearms during an unrelated investigation and was taken to a juvenile detention center.

HOLY ETCHMIADZIN, ARMENIA – The Armenian Apostolic Church condemned the arrest of Archbishop Arshak Khachatryan, Chancellor of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, calling it politically motivated persecution and urging bishops not to yield to coercive pressure. The Church said he was arrested on accusations related to alleged drug offences tied to a 2018 public rally.

KRASNODAR, RUSSIA – Plans to build a church honoring Russia’s war dead in a riverside park in Krasnodar sparked a rare public protest. Local residents appealed to President Vladimir Putin to stop the project, objecting to development of the Yubileiny district park along the Kuban River.

NEW FOREST, UNITED KINGDOM – Between February and April 2025, dead deer and lamb carcasses were left near multiple churches in the New Forest area of Hampshire, including Christ's Church (Colbury) and St Peter's Church (Bramshaw). A man pleaded guilty to the dumping and to religiously aggravated intentional harassment, alarm or distress charges, and awaits sentencing on 4 February.

No current updates.

We lift up the entire Body of believers who are facing threats, intimidation, harassment, and fear. Strengthen the weary. Protect the vulnerable. Comfort those who have been shaken by danger and hostility. Give pastors and leaders wisdom to shepherd well, courage to stand firm, and discernment to respond with both vigilance and peace.

As we celebrate your birth, anchor our hearts in the truth that you came as Immanuel—God with us—near to the suffering, present in the darkness, and reigning even when the world rages. Fill your people with holy joy that cannot be stolen, and with a steady confidence that refuses to bow to fear. Unite the Church in love, humility, and prayer. Guard our gatherings, our homes, and our communities. Let every attempt to intimidate your people be turned back, and let your light shine brighter through every trial.

We pray for those who oppose your Church: soften hearts, restrain violence, expose deception, and bring repentance. And where believers are isolated, imprisoned, displaced, or under surveillance, be their shelter and song.

May this Christmas be marked not by fear, but by faithful worship—bold, tender, and full of hope—proclaiming that the Prince of Peace has come.

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