100 Christians Arrested During Church Raid

18:05 - 25 September 2014

<strong>Over 100 Christians, including children, were arrested during a major house church raid on Sunday in Foshan city in China's Guangdong Province.</strong>

According to Christian Post , close to 200 police officers stormed in during the service, eyewitnesses said, believed to be part of a large-scale crackdown on Christians in the country.

a local believer told watchdog group International Christian Concern, which has been keeping track of the rising tide of persecution in China.

Worshipers said that the church was raided without any warning, and that police only left behind a notice stating that people were detained for an "illegal gathering."

More than 30 parishioners reportedly still remain in custody.

said ICC's Regional Manager for Southeast Asia, Sooyoung Kim.

The Mount Olivet Church has over 20 years of history and has close to 170 members, ICC added.

Only government-approved churches are legal in China, with all house churches considered "illegal gatherings."

But even a number of officially sanctioned churches have been targeted by the government in recent months, with officials explaining that they have been "removing or modifying illegal constructions."