While the protests in Hong Kong are growing smaller they are also growing more violent. In the midst of those protests is the city's small Mennonite community praying for peace.

Mass protests started taking place in Hong Kong in June. The protesters were fighting against the Fugitive Offenders and Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters Legislation (Amendment) Bill proposed by the government of Hong Kong. The bill would have allowed local authorities to detain and extradite people to mainland China. Hong Kong's Chief Executive Carrie Lam has formally withdrawn the bill at the start of September.

While the bill that instigated the protests has been rescinded, demonstrations have continued and evolved into a larger campaign for democracy.

Jeremiah Choi, pastor of Agape Mennonite Church in Hong Kong, tells the Mennonite World Review that many church leaders have called on the government to reverse course as Christians have worked to maintain nonviolence during protests.

Choi says that church leaders are dealing with differing opinions within their own churches and asks other Christians to pray for unity within Hong Kong churches.

"We need to help our church members to understand our attitude toward peace and nonviolent theology," he says. "We need to teach them how we Mennonites should react during the time when the government has shown no mercy on the protestors."

On Aug. 23, tens of thousands of Christians gathered for the first large-scale rally specifically for Christians. They sang the hymn "Sing Hallelujah to the Lord," which has become an anthem among all protestors, and formed a nearly 22-mile human chain across areas of Hong Kong.