A church in Texas has provided a home for the Shenzhen Holy Reformed Church, also called the Mayflower Church, the Christian Post reports.

First Baptist Church of Midland campus in Midland, Texas has agreed to allow the church to use its youth facilities three times a week.

The church members, who are learning English and finding jobs in America, broke down in tears after hearing the news.

Over sixty members of the house church fled Communist China in 2019 because of the increasing persecution of its members and leaders.

They initially sought asylum in South Korea, but were eventually refused admission by the government, after a South Korean court rejected their asylum request.

Many suspect the South Korean government had been pressured by Chinese Communist officials.

In March 2023, the group flew to Bangkok, Thailand hoping to set up a home there, but were immediately arrested by Thai police because their visas had expired.

There were initially fears that the group would be forced to return to China. However, with the help of the Thailand government, the United States, and the United Nations, the group was allowed to immigrate to the US in May 2023.

The church gained the nickname the Mayflower Church after the pilgrims, who fled to America in the 17th century, because of similar persecution in Europe.