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's 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. At least 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 immediate impact on the church's operations is significant. The crackdown raises concerns about religious freedom in China.

China's government requires churches to register and operate under state supervision. Many Christians worship in unregistered "house churches" to avoid this control. The government views these unregistered groups as a challenge to its authority.

The situation remains fluid. Further arrests are possible. International religious freedom organizations are likely to condemn the actions. The future of the Early Rain Covenant Church and other unregistered churches is uncertain.