The third raid in one year led to the arrest of Elder Ma Tao and Pastor Chang Shun. Despite its reformed theology, the church has been labeled a “cult.”
In March 2025, “Bitter Winter” reported a raid by Chinese authorities on the Maizhong Reformed Church in Fuyang city, Anhui province. Another raid occurred in April.
This church operates within a network of Reformed congregations that have steadfastly refused to affiliate with the state-sanctioned Three-Self Patriotic Movement (TSPM). Before 2025, Reformed churches like Maizhong were not categorized as “cults” and did not fall under the classification of xie jiao.
Since 2021, members of the Maizhong Church have endured persistent harassment, resulting in instances of short-term administrative detentions. In 2023, the church faced an official ban. Marking a critical turning point in its legal standing, this year’s escalation included the detention of two members under Article 300, which targets explicitly alleged participation in xie jiao activities.
This situation highlights the concerning trend of the arbitrary enlargement of the xie jiao designation. The government’s campaigns against “xie jiao and illegal religion” extend beyond the suppression of “cults” to encompass a broader spectrum of religious organizations that operate independently of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).
On June 29, 2025, the Maizhong Church experienced another raid, characterized by aggressive tactics from law enforcement. Officers forcefully gained entry, deleted surveillance footage, and intimidated congregants waiting outside.
Of the 19 individuals detained during this operation, Elder Ma Tao and Pastor Chang Shun remain in custody. Both are currently criminally detained at the Fuyang City Detention Center. Brother Yang Zhiyan was detained on July 2 but released on June 3.
Despite repeated inquiries from their families, law enforcement has withheld specific charges and has not issued a formal notice of criminal detention. The police informed Pastor Chang Shun’s wife that the detention notice had been mailed to their hometown, raising further concerns regarding procedural transparency and the treatment of detainees.
On July 4, a lawyer was allowed to meet Elder Ma Tao. He was informed that the charge against him is “organizing and financing illegal gatherings.” Several other dissident pastors throughout China have been charged with the same crime.
Source: Bitter Winter
