Leaders of the Early Rain Covenant Church, a prominent underground church in China, were detained Tuesday. The sweep occurred in Deyang, Sichuan province. This marks an escalation in China's crackdown on unregistered Christian groups.

Li Yingqiang, the church leader, was taken from his home by police. His wife, Zhang Xinyue, was also detained. Pastor Dai Zhichao and lay member Ye Fenghua are among those held. Four other members were briefly detained and released. Some members remain out of contact. The detentions followed the arrest of 18 senior members of other unregistered churches.

The Early Rain Covenant Church issued a statement confirming the detentions. The church has been a target of authorities since its closure in December 2018. The immediate impact is fear and uncertainty among underground church members.

China's government officially allows Christian worship only in state-sanctioned churches. Unregistered churches, often called "house churches," operate in a gray area. The government views them with suspicion, fearing they could undermine state control.

The future of the detained leaders and the Early Rain Covenant Church remains uncertain. Further arrests and increased surveillance are possible. International religious freedom organizations are likely to condemn the actions.