Chinese authorities have arrested 30 Christians connected to the Zion Church network, one of the country’s largest underground Protestant movements. The arrests, which took place across at least 10 cities including Beijing and Shanghai, are being described by rights activists as China’s most extensive Christian crackdown in decades. Pastor Jin Mingri (Ezra Jin), the founder of Zion Church, is among those detained — sparking fears of a broader campaign against unregistered “house churches.”
Details of the Arrests
- The arrests occurred on October 10–11, 2025, involving pastors, leaders, and members across China.
- Pastor Jin Mingri, who had been under surveillance since his church’s closure in 2018, was detained in Beihai, Guangxi province.
- A detention notice reviewed by the BBC states that Jin is held in Beihai No. 2 Prison, suspected of “illegal use of information networks.”
- The crackdown follows months of escalating pressure — including police interrogations, church raids, and new laws restricting online sermons.
Background: Zion Church and Religious Tensions
Zion Church began in 2007 as a small house church in Beijing but grew to over 10,000 followers across 40 cities.
After refusing government orders to install CCTV cameras, the church was shut down in 2018 under rules requiring official approval for public worship.
Despite this, Zion adapted with hybrid online and offline gatherings — continuing to attract a large national following.
Broader Context: China’s Religious Policies
China officially recognises religion but only allows state-approved organisations like the Three-Self Patriotic Movement (Protestant) and the Catholic Patriotic Association.
Tens of millions worship in unregistered “house churches”, which often face demolition, harassment, and surveillance.
Recent policies, including the 2023 “Online Religious Code”, ban unlicensed online preaching — further restricting independent faith communities.
Reactions
- Christian advocacy groups such as Luke Alliance and Open Doors called the coordinated arrests “unprecedented” and a likely prelude to wider repression.
- Pastor Sean Long, now based in the US, described the move as a “systematic roundup” to intimidate other house churches: “Zion is the chicken — they’re killing the chicken to scare the monkeys.”
- The Chinese Embassy in London maintained that citizens “enjoy freedom of religion,” but that all religious activities must “comply with laws and regulations.”
Historical Note: Pastor Jin Mingri’s Journey
Born in 1969, Jin was a Beijing University student during the Tiananmen protests of 1989, which led him to embrace Christianity.
He studied theology in California before returning to China in 2007, establishing Zion Church as a beacon for spiritual independence from state control.
Global Implications
The Zion Church arrests signal renewed tension between religious freedom and state authority in China — echoing previous campaigns against underground churches, Tibetan monasteries, and Uyghur Muslims.
Observers warn that this could mark the start of the largest religious purge since the Cultural Revolution, under the banner of “sinicising” religion.
Quote of Faith Amid Fear
“Persecution cannot destroy the church. If you look back at history — where there is repression, there’s revival.”
— Pastor Sean Long, Zion Church spokesperson (USA)
Source
BBC News (Asia Section) – “China arrested 30 Christians. Some fear it’s the start of a bigger crackdown”
By Tessa Wong & Kelly Ng | Published October 16, 2025
