Authorities in China's Sichuan province have detained the leader of the Early Rain Covenant Church, Li Yingqiang, along with his wife and at least two other members. Rights groups state this is part of a broader crackdown on unregistered religious groups under Beijing's increased ideological control. Similar detentions of members from other unofficial churches have been reported recently. The church has urged its congregation to remain united amid persecution, while officials have declined to comment.