Pastor of Major Underground Church Arrested in China Amid Crackdown on Christianity

Pastor of Major Underground Church Arrested in China Amid Crackdown on Christianity

The pastor of one of China’s largest underground evangelical churches was arrested on Friday, prompting fears for his safety among his family and followers. This arrest seems to be part of a sweeping campaign against Christian leaders in the country.

Pastor Ezra Jin, who leads Zion Church, was taken into custody by Chinese authorities, his daughter Grace Jin confirmed to Fox News Digital. Once considered Beijing’s largest church, Zion Church has become a focal point in the ongoing crackdown on unregistered religious groups. Grace provided a document stating that Jin’s arrest coincided with the detention or disappearance of nearly 30 other pastors and church workers across several major Chinese cities, including Beijing, Shenzhen, Shanghai, Chengdu, Beihai, Jiaxing, and Huangdao. Reports from the Associated Press indicate that many other church leaders faced similar fates on the same day.

Grace recounted an alarming trend, noting that church members received reports of authorities knocking on doors and taking individuals into custody one by one. This scenario reflects the increasing challenges for underground churches, which operate without state authorization and face significant risks in China.

Background of Zion Church’s Operations

Zion Church operates outside the regulations of the Chinese government, categorizing it as illegal under Chinese law. Grace explained that the authorities have accused church members of spreading religious materials online, a charge they have not substantiated with official documentation. Instead, many detainees received slips indicating the basic nature of their charges.

Over recent months, the Chinese government has intensified its crackdown on religious figures. In May, a pastor from Light of Zion Church in Xi’an was detained for allegedly using superstitious activities to undermine justice. Additionally, in June, several workers from the Golden Lampstand Church faced prison time on fraud charges. Grace harbors concerns that similar accusations could be levied against her father, as authorities confiscated financial documents from Zion Church.

Impact on Jin’s Family

Since 2018, Jin has endured intense government surveillance and an exit ban, preventing him from reuniting with his children, who are U.S. citizens. He has not seen them in over six years, increasing the emotional toll on his family.

Grace revealed that the Chinese government forced Zion Church to close its doors in 2018 due mostly to its growing influence, which attracted up to 1,500 attendees weekly. The closure left the congregation with limited options for worship and community engagement.

In response, Zion Church adopted a hybrid model that included online praise and worship sessions, enabling members to connect and pray in smaller groups. This innovation proved beneficial, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic when many churches struggled to transition to virtual platforms.

Grace noted that when COVID-19 hit in 2020, Zion Church already had a robust online presence. This allowed it to thrive as the only church conducting regular online services with music and sermons while many other churches desperately sought to adapt.

Community Resilience Amidst Challenges

In the face of adversity, Jin offered his resources and expertise to assist other churches transitioning to online services. His willingness to collaborate strengthened his ties with fellow congregants and other religious leaders. Such community support highlights the resilience within the underground church network, despite constant threats from the authorities.

Calls for Action from U.S. Officials

Jin’s family is urging the U.S. State Department to champion his immediate and unconditional release, emphasizing the need to allow him to return to his family in the United States before further persecution by the Chinese government. The uncertainty surrounding Jin’s fate, alongside those detained with him, creates a chilling atmosphere for religious freedom in China.

According to China Aid, a U.S.-based organization monitoring religious freedom, underground churches like Zion are facing unprecedented pressure from the Chinese Communist Party. The founder of China Aid, Dr. Bob Fu, condemned the escalating persecution against religious groups, stating that such actions represent a war against faith that will ultimately fail. He stressed that faith and worship cannot be crimes, and the courage shown by urban pastors and believers will remain a powerful testimony throughout history.

Fu called for official condemnation from U.S. leaders, including President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, to stand up against the harsh realities faced by religious groups in China. As the crackdown continues, the plight of Pastor Ezra Jin serves as a poignant reminder of the ongoing struggle for religious liberty in the region.

The stories of courage and faith from individuals like Jin reveal the indomitable spirit of those who continue to practice their beliefs in the shadows of oppression. The global community watches closely, hoping for their ultimate liberation in the face of increasingly aggressive policies targeting independent churches in China.