As many of you have already heard, the police were called during our Sunday morning service this past week. The man who called the police had been in our church for less than a year. We began to grow suspicious of his intentions only about 4 weeks ago. I confronted him in person a few weeks ago concerning some suspicious activity as well as the company he was keeping. At first he was repentant but only for a short time. After only a week he stop attending church services and told us he was leaving. Dad and I went to his house to discuss the situation and encourage him, but at this meeting he was overcome with anger. He began curse Dad, Ben and I. He made it very clear he rejected our preaching, teaching, leadership, and doctrinal stance. He then begin to curse and bring accusations against many of our faithful members. In the end he said that he wanted to address the church. We had men from the church try to reason with him, it was at this meeting that he started to threaten to call the police on Dad, Ben, and I. Sunday morning he stood up in the middle of the preaching and tried to stop the service, and say his peace. When the church did not respond, he called the police. Because of recent government pressure we had a plan in place in case of situations like this. All discriminating evidence was removed before the police arrived. The church is not in any danger at this moment and faith of our people is unwavering. We have seen great growth and boldness in our membership since this incident. 

It has become clear that this man’s only goal is to get rid of church leadership, which he sees as being our three families, and ultimately take control and or destroy the church. So though the church is in no real danger, we are facing continued threats from this man. He has continued to contact authorities in regard to our identity and whereabouts. None of us have been contacted, located, searched or arrested. The quick actions of the men of the church have left little to link us with “illegal” activity. We are confident this will blow over and we will continue to work and minister in China. 

Pray for wisdom as we face a very fluid situation. We are currently on the move with our families living in the houses of church members, but Lord is good. We have seen his protection over us, but more importantly over his church. 

In Christ,

Neal Ray