We were forced to slander pastors and drink unidentified medicine, released Early Rain Covenant Church believers say

ChinaAid 

Attendees of Early Rain Covenant Church. (Photo: ChinaAid)

(Chengdu, Sichuan — July 16, 2019) Released believers from Early Rain Covenant Church (ERCC) were treated inhumanely behind bars, forced to take unknown medicine, and strong-armed into slandering church leadership, ChinaAid recently learned.

Police took more than 150 ERCC Christians into custody last December, including Pastor Wang Yi.

In a penned statement before his arrest, Wang maintained a belief he was called to carry out “faithful disobedience” under a regime “that opposes the gospel and persecutes the church.”

New information from a Chengdu believer reveals some detained church members were coerced to take unidentified medicine. Many who were bailed out from the detention center say they were forced to make false accusations against Pastor Wang and church elders.

Those who refused, according to the believer, were shackled on the hands and feet for more than 10 days to prevent sleep.

Chinese officials have come down extremely hard against those associated with ERCC. ChinaAid reported earlier in the month about Gou Zhongcan, affiliated with the church, who was held under secret incarceration in a basement for months by police.

One ERCC member, Liao Qiang, made global headlines after escaping to Taipei, Taiwan with several family members earlier in July.

Liao says Chinese authorities attempted to convince him to denounce ERCC. Liao and family hope the Taiwanese government will provide enough time beyond a 15-day tourist visa so they can stay in the country and seek asylum in the United States.