The Voice of the Martyrs has learned that Pastor Li Dexian, a well-known house church leader in China's Guangdong Province, has once again been arrested for preaching the gospel. The arrest came April 11 in Hua Du.
Witnesses said representatives of the Public Security Bureau (PSB) descended on an evangelistic meeting and began shouting that the service was an illegal gathering. The Christians had not petitioned the government for permission to gather for the house church meeting. Pastor Li, his wife, Zhao Xia, and four other church members were apprehended and taken to the local police station for questioning.
Police questioned Li and the five others for several hours and then released all of the Christians except Li. Pastor Li is expected to be held at least until April 25th - the mandatory period that he can be detained without charge. Li has been arrested at least 20 times during the past three years, according to Voice of the Martyrs.