Chinese Police Detain Prominent Pastor and Some Members of Unregistered Church

The New York Times reported earlier this week that on Sunday Chinese police detained Wang Yi, one of China's most prominent Protestant pastors.  His Early Rain Covenant Church, with its over 500 members, is one of many churches that are not registered with the government. These independent Protestant churches that have not complied with the registration laws are one of the fastest growing religious movements in China, claiming some 30 million adherents. More than 100 members of Early Rain were also detained, though a number were released by Monday with some of those then being placed under house arrest.