Tent-making ministry pastor arrested in Beijing

Chinese security officials in Beijing had arrested Pastor of the Tent-Making Ministry in Fengtai district Thursday after his Church and vocational school were vandalized last Sunday.

Hua Huiqi, a pastor is the owner of the vocational institute that serves as a tent-making ministry and house church. The institute was attacked by around 400 people people in police suits using bulldozers at dawn on 13 September; injuring over 100 people in the attack, some even bleeding, according to ChinaAid Association (CAA).

CAA said Pastor Hua was whisked away when Public Security (PSB) and State Security agents invited him for dinner on Thursday evening, on the pretext of discussing about his vocational institute.

His wife evangelist Ju Mei said, Hua went out for dinner with the officials at 5 p.m. but later phoned her after one hour to inform her that he had been taken to unknown location.

"At around 10:20 p.m, Ding Xu, a Beijing PSB officer came to pick up some clothes for my husband," said Ju Mei. When she enquired of her husband, the officer reportedly pointed to his police badge and said, "Don't you know who I am? I have no obligation to answer your questions!"

CAA said ChinaAid President Bob Fu called the Director of the Domestic Security Protection Squad of PSB of Fengtai District of Beijing the next day, inquiring about Pastor Hua's status; the Director confirmed that Hua is still in their custody but refused to reveal his condition and whereabouts.

ChinaAid has called for the lawful release of Pastor Hua Huiqi, and denounces the illegal actions of the Beijing Public Security Bureau.

"We urge you to continue praying for the Tent-making Ministry church members, and for Pastor Hua and his family," stated the statement made yesterday.