A nationwide police operation is underway against a movement that has been criticized for its focus on emotional displays, but remains similar to mainstream Pentecostalism.
Between July and August, churches associated with the All Sphere or All Range, also known as the Word of Life network or simply “Born Again,” have been raided in Shenyang, Dalian, and Benxi (Liaoning), and Suizhou (Hubei). This suggests that a nationwide police operation is underway. Dozens of believers have been arrested and informed that they will be prosecuted under Article 300 of China’s Criminal Code. This article penalizes individuals involved in a xie jiao, a term often translated as “cult,” but more accurately referring to “organizations that promote heterodox [or anti-government] teachings.”
The All Sphere Church, commonly known as the Weepers, is a Chinese Christian house church movement founded in 1984 in Henan Province by Xu Yongze, also known as Peter Xu. Officially, the movement is classified by Chinese authorities as a xie jiao and has faced severe persecution since its banning in 1988.
The Weepers movement is Pentecostal, emphasizing personal spiritual rebirth, repentance, and emotional expression during worship. One of the most distinctive aspects of their worship is the act of weeping, which is seen as a sign of genuine conversion, giving the group its nickname. Xu Yongze’s teachings highlight the importance of heartfelt repentance and the transformative power of the Holy Spirit. While aligning with broader Pentecostal theology, the Weepers diverge from China’s state-sanctioned Three-Self Patriotic Movement churches. Some prominent Chinese house church pastors, including Samuel Lamb and Allen Yuan, have criticized the emphasis on weeping, labeling it as heresy that promotes “salvation through works.“ Otherwise, the movement’s theology is generally orthodox and aligns with other Chinese and international Pentecostal churches.
Despite operating underground, the All Sphere Church has experienced rapid growth, with membership estimates ranging from several thousand to as many as twenty million. However, scholars often consider the higher estimate from American Evangelical sources to be exaggerated. The church’s expansion and independence from government control have made it a target for Chinese authorities, who view large, unregulated religious movements as potential threats to social stability and political power. Consequently, the All Sphere Church has faced widespread and systematic persecution.
“Bitter Winter” has documented numerous crackdowns, including mass arrests, raids on house churches, and the detention of elderly leaders. In one notable incident in 2014, twenty-two members were arrested during a worship gathering in Shandong province. Police stormed the meeting with machine guns, detained even infants and a pregnant woman, and denied detainees food and water for two days. In 2020, over 100 members were arrested across China, and a senior church elder was detained and charged with “concealing proceeds from criminal activities,” a charge often used to suppress religious leaders.
Peter Xu later emigrated to the United States and continued his ministry. His movement remains active both in China and among Chinese Christian communities abroad. The All Sphere Church symbolizes the ongoing struggle for religious freedom in China, where independent Christian groups frequently face harassment, imprisonment, and surveillance.
Despite repression, the movement persists, sustained by its emphasis on personal spiritual experience and decentralized, grassroots structure. It remains a focal point in discussions of religious liberty and human rights in China.
Source: Bitter Winter
