Chinese authorities have detained Pastor Jin “Ezra” Mingri, along with nearly 30 leaders of Zion Church, one of China’s most prominent house church networks, in a sweeping crackdown across six cities. This recent government action, citing illegal dissemination of religious information, marks a significant escalation in the state’s long-standing pressure against independent Christian congregations. The arrests highlight growing tensions around religious freedom in China, as house churches continue to worship amid increased scrutiny and persecution.
Zion Church, which has flourished as one of the largest unregistered Christian movements in China, was targeted on October 11th in simultaneous police operations spanning six cities. Pastor Jin “Ezra” Mingri, a well-known figure in China’s Protestant community, and nearly 30 other church leaders were detained under accusations of unauthorized religious activities and dissemination of religious materials. Reports indicate coordinated efforts to disrupt the core leadership and communication networks of the church.
House churches in China—Christian congregations operating without official sanction—have faced years of official harassment, ranging from forced closures to surveillance and periodic detentions. Zion Church, which reportedly counts almost 10,000 members across 40 cities, has been a particular target due to its size and influence. Authorities tightened regulations in recent years, implementing new laws aimed at curbing underground church activities and increasing control over religious expression overall.
Congregational Response and Continued Worship
Despite intensified persecution, house churches like Zion continue to operate in secrecy, meeting in private homes and ministering especially to vulnerable populations, including the sick and marginalized. Church members express determination to maintain their faith practices, even as leaders are detained and monitored. International religious freedom advocates have voiced concern about the fate of those arrested and the broader implications for Christianity in China.
International Attention and Human Rights Concerns
The crackdown has drawn international criticism from human rights organizations and religious freedom monitors, who argue that the recent detentions reflect a broader trend of shrinking space for religious minorities in China. Observers note a pattern of increased enforcement against both Protestant and Catholic groups outside of state-sanctioned religious structures, with fears that these arrests may signal further crackdowns in the coming months.
Image Credits:
• Broken Christian cross laying atop a Chinese flag via AI generated
Featured Image Credit:
• Broken Christian cross laying atop a Chinese flag via AI generated