An arrested Chinese pastor's mother is living in her son's church although the government threatens to demolish the building. 

Since February 2019, Pastor Li Juncai has been imprisoned for "obstructing law enforcement". Several incidents led to this arrest. The first is based on an account from International Christian Concern a Washington, D.C. based persecution watch organization. 

They say that Pastor Juncai was trying to protect a local village church from being forced to fly the national flag by government officials. While attempting to protect this village many believers were assaulted by the officials. Pastor Juncai attempted to de-escalate the situation which led to some destruction of the church wall and the flying of the flag in the name of "implementing patriotic education." 

Several days later Pastor Juncai was arrested for not complying with efforts to make his church appear in line with Communist ideals. 

His house church, Zhongxin Church, is receiving the harsh backlash of those efforts now that he is imprisoned. 

“We desire to keep the church, but not sure where we will end up"

Pastor Juncai's mother is currently living in a small room inside the church in the hopes that her son will return and restore the church. 

Unfortunately, the authorities have shut off the water, electricity, and stolen all religious items from the building. According to International Christian Concern banner once hung in the church with the words, "Love God and people," and the authorities confiscated it and put up an alternate banner which says, "Love the country, Love the church". 

For nine months the authorities have told Pastor Li's son, Chao that they would rectify the church. However, at near the end of November, he was informed that the authorities have another plan in mind. Despite completing the appropriate paperwork and receiving the land certificates the church is in danger. “Now, government officials want our land and intend to forcibly demolish our church,” Chao says to China Aid. 

The son worries that his grandmother will be in grave danger if and when the authorities come to demolish the building. He fears that she will be dragged out and arrested at that time. 

“We desire to keep the church, but not sure where we will end up.

“What we can do is to pray to God,” Li Chao says.