China's secret churches
A Chinese pastor prays with newly baptized Christians during a ceremony at an underground independent Protestant Church in Beijing, China, Oct. 12, 2014.
China, an officially atheist country, places a number of restrictions on Christians and allows legal practice of the faith only at state-approved churches.
The policy has driven an increasing number of Christians and Christian converts "underground" to secret congregations in private homes and other venues.
While the size of the religious community is difficult to measure, studies estimate there more than 65 million Christians inside China with studies supporting the possibility it could become the most Christian nation in the world within a decade.
Beijing
A Chinese man is baptized during a ceremony at an underground independent Protestant Church in Beijing, Oct. 12, 2014.
Beijing
Chinese Christians sing during a prayer service at an underground independent Protestant Church in Beijing, Oct. 12, 2014.
Beijing
A Chinese Christian pastor leads prayers during a service at an underground independent Protestant Church in Beijing, Oct. 12, 2014.
Beijing
Chinese Christians pray during a service at an underground independent Protestant Church in Beijing, Oct. 12, 2014.
Beijing
A Chinese Christian woman is prepared for baptism as she prays with another congreagation member at an underground independent Protestant Church in Beijing, Oct. 12, 2014.
Beijing
A Chinese Christian woman weeps during a ceremony at an underground independent Protestant Church in Beijing, Oct. 12, 2014.
Beijing
A Chinese woman is baptized during a ceremony at an underground independent Protestant Church in Beijing, Oct. 12, 2014.
Beijing
A Chinese pastor eats bread with newly baptized Christians during a ceremony at an underground independent Protestant Church in Beijing, Oct. 12, 2014.
Beijing
A Chinese Christian pastor leads prayers during a service at an underground independent Protestant Church in Beijing, Oct. 12, 2014.
Beijing
A Chinese Christian woman weeps as she and others pray during a service at an underground independent Protestant Church in Beijing, Oct. 12, 2014.
Beijing
A Chinese Christian woman is embraced by another member of the congregation as she is acknowledged for attending for the first time during a service at an underground independent Protestant Church in Beijing, Oct. 12, 2014.
Beijing
A pastor baptizes a new Chinese Christian woman and her young daughter during a ceremony at an underground independent Protestant Church in Beijing, Oct. 12, 2014.
Beijing
A Chinese Christian woman sings during a prayer service at an underground independent Protestant Church in Beijing, Oct. 12, 2014.
Beijing
Chinese Christians pray during a service at an underground independent Protestant Church in Beijing, Oct. 12, 2014.