A Taipei church is under fire for praising China's leader in sermons and children's materials, raising fresh worry about Beijing's influence inside Taiwan.

• The founder of Hallelujah Family Church called Xi Jinping a "leader of the era" and told worshippers that China's rise brings peace to the world.
• The church's children's weekly paper praised "Xi Dada" and the "great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation," and worked the theme into lesson questions.
• The church is an independent congregation with sites in Taipei and Zhongli, known as a "celebrity church" because famous entertainers have attended.
• A Presbyterian pastor pushed back, saying Taiwan's home-grown churches preach for Taiwan and stay out of Chinese politics.
• Critics say a church backing an officially atheist party is not really Christian, and ask whether groups doing united-front work should keep religious tax breaks.

Outlook: Expect pressure on Taiwan's government to look at how religious freedom is being used as cover for Chinese influence campaigns.