China’s Crackdown on Faith: Underground Zion Church Leader Ezra Jin and Staff Arrested Amid Sweeping Detentions

In a stark escalation of religious persecution, Chinese authorities have arrested Ezra Jin Mingri, the founder and pastor of Zion Church—one of the nation’s largest underground Christian networks—along with nearly 30 staff members and pastors across multiple cities, according to family statements and church representatives.

Leader and staff from underground church are arrested in China

The detentions, which began on October 10, 2025, have drawn swift condemnation from U.S. officials, highlighting Beijing’s intensifying grip on unregistered “house churches” that operate outside state control. This wave of arrests taps into broader concerns over China underground church arrests 2025, including trends like Ezra Jin detention, Zion Church crackdown, CCP religious persecution Christians, U.S. response China church raids, and house church leaders missing China. As congregants fear for their safety, the incident underscores the precarious existence of China’s estimated 60-100 million underground Christians, who worship in defiance of the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) oversight. Here’s a breakdown of the events, context, and global ripples.

The Arrests: A Coordinated Sweep Across China

Ezra Jin, 56, a prominent Reformed theologian and father of U.S. citizens, was detained at his home in Beihai, Guangxi Province, on Friday, October 10, his daughter Grace Jin Drexel confirmed to NPR. Nearly simultaneously, police raided homes and offices in Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, and other hubs, detaining or causing at least 30 Zion Church leaders to go missing, per church elder Sean Long.

Eyewitness accounts describe violent tactics: Officers arrived with “wanted lists,” handcuffing pastors like Sun Cong in Beijing and separating a female leader from her newborn infant. Long, speaking from the U.S., told NPR the raids were “disturbing,” with congregants left in fear but resolute: “The arrests will not deter church members from practicing their faith.” No official charges have been announced, and the Chinese embassy has not responded to inquiries.

Zion Church, founded by Jin in 2007, boasts over 10,000 members across 20+ congregations, emphasizing Bible study and independence from the state-sanctioned Three-Self Patriotic Movement. Its Beijing flagship, once a 1,000-seat venue, dissolved in 2018 under pressure but reformed underground.

Timeline of the Zion Church Detentions

Broader Context: Xi’s Religious Clampdown Intensifies

Under President Xi Jinping, China has ramped up controls on religion since 2018’s “Sinicization” campaign, requiring faiths to align with socialist values. Underground churches—estimated at 50-90% of China’s 100 million Christians—face raids, surveillance, and forced registrations, per USCIRF reports. Recent precedents include the 2018 Early Rain Covenant Church arrests (100+ detained) and ongoing Uyghur detentions.

Jin, a U.S.-educated pastor with dual ties (his daughters hold U.S. passports), embodies the tension: His Reformed teachings challenge CCP ideology, making Zion a prime target. Long described the raids as part of a “systematic effort” to suppress the Gospel, echoing global watchdogs like Open Doors, which ranks China #16 for Christian persecution.

U.S. and Global Backlash: Calls for Release Echo Loudly

The arrests have ignited bipartisan fury in Washington. Secretary of State Marco Rubio labeled it “hostility towards Christians who reject Party interference,” demanding immediate releases and free worship. Former VP Mike Pence amplified on X: “The Chinese Communist Party must release Pastor Ezra Jin Mingri and other Christian leaders immediately. This attack on Christianity will not prevail.” His post garnered 1,156 likes and 421 reposts, trending under #ReleaseEzraJin.

On X, reactions blend prayer and protest: @Esther_Valdes decried the “suppression of the Gospel,” linking to Fox News coverage. @ErnieMilleur urged intercession: “Let’s pray for his release, for courage among believers in China.” Broader threads tie it to global trends, like Nigeria’s persecutions, with users noting: “The Church often flourishes most under pressure.”

Advocacy groups like ChinaAid and International Christian Concern vow to monitor, with USCIRF recommending China remain a “Country of Particular Concern.” No word from Beijing, but past patterns suggest prolonged detentions without trial.

Why This Matters to Americans: Faith Freedom on the Global Stage

For U.S. Christians—amid domestic debates on religious liberty—this hits close: Jin’s family ties evoke dual-citizen vulnerabilities, echoing Meng Wanzhou’s saga but inverted. Economically, it strains U.S.-China ties, with trade hawks like Rubio leveraging it for sanctions talks. Lifestyle angle? Underground faith stories inspire Bible studies from Texas megachurches to NYC house groups, fostering solidarity.

Politically, it’s fuel for the 2025 foreign policy pivot: Trump’s tariffs and Rubio’s diplomacy spotlight human rights as leverage. Tech-wise, encrypted apps like Signal aid covert worship, but CCP surveillance (e.g., facial recognition at services) raises AI ethics flags.

Closing Prayer: Faith Unchained

The China underground church arrests targeting Ezra Jin and Zion’s leaders mark a grim chapter in Beijing’s faith wars, but as Long affirms, they won’t extinguish the flame. With U.S. voices rising and global prayers mounting, the call echoes: Release the detained, uphold freedom. For American believers, it’s a cue to stand firm—persecution tests, but doesn’t triumph. As Matthew 5:10 reminds, “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake.” Stay vigilant; the story unfolds.

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