China Prevents House Church From Holding Outdoor Easter Service

In China today, police blocked worshipers from attending a planned outdoor Easter service at one of Beijing's largest "house" churches. House churches are Christian churches that are not registered with the government. CNN reports that police prevented 500 people from leaving their homes, and arrested 36 who attempted to attend the service that was scheduled by the Shouwang Church. The Church has been forced to hold its services outside since November when China blocked the rental of its previous office space. Shouwang Church leaders remain under house arrest as China has increased pressure on dissidents over the last three months. Hundreds of uniformed and plain clothes police surrounded the Church site today and prevented CNN journalists from entering.