China Formally Arrests 18 Zion Church Leaders in Largest Crackdown on Underground Christians in Years

by Emmitt Barry, with reporting from Washington D.C. Bureau Staff

(Worthy News) – In one of the most sweeping crackdowns on underground Christianity in recent years, Chinese authorities have formally arrested 18 leaders of the Beijing Zion Church, according to the Christian rights organization ChinaAid. The arrests finalize detentions that began in early October as part of a multi-province operation targeting unregistered Christian groups.

The detainees are being charged with “illegally using information networks,” a vague offence that carries a maximum three-year sentence and has increasingly been employed to silence clergy who refuse to place their congregations under Communist Party control, according to ChinaAid and The Epoch Times.

Nationwide Raid Beginning October 9

The crackdown began on October 9 in Beihai, Guangxi, where police launched a coordinated action across Shanghai, Zhejiang, Shandong, Guangdong, Guangxi, and Hainan. Within days, nearly 30 pastors, ministers, and congregants were detained, including prominent pastor Mingri “Ezra” Jin, founder of Zion Church and one of China’s most visible unregistered Christian leaders.

The arrests drew swift criticism from the U.S. State Department and the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, both calling on Beijing to release the detainees.

Under Chinese law, suspects cannot be held for more than 37 days without formal arrest. Rights groups say police rushed through formal arrest procedures to prevent international pressure from forcing their release.

“A Chilling Milestone” in China’s War on Independent Churches

ChinaAid president Dr. Bob Fu called the development “a chilling milestone in the CCP’s all-out war on Christianity.”

“These pastors and co-workers are being treated as criminals simply because they faithfully shepherded a large, legally unregistered church that refused to submit to CCP control and surveillance,” Fu said. “Their only ‘crime’ is preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ.”

Christian Solidarity Worldwide echoed the condemnation, with CEO Scott Bower stating that the detainees were “targeted solely for the peaceful exercise of their religious beliefs.”

Zion Church’s Long History of Persecution

Founded in 2007, Zion Church grew rapidly to nearly 5,000 members across 50 cities. Authorities shut down its Beijing premises in 2018 after leaders refused to install government surveillance cameras inside the sanctuary, forcing the congregation underground and online.

New regulations in China now ban all unsanctioned online preaching, effectively criminalizing Zion Church’s operations.

Wider Crackdown on House Churches

The arrests come amid a broader surge in crackdowns on unregistered churches throughout China. Open Doors reports that at least 70 Christians were detained in September alone, with dozens of house churches ceasing operations entirely under pressure.

Accusations used by authorities include “fraud,” “running an illegal business,” and “organizing unlawful meetings.” In some cases, church treasurers were accused of financial misconduct despite no complaints from within the congregation.

One Open Doors partner described the current climate: “Due to the recent crackdown, our church has come to a standstill. More than 80 groups within the house church movement have ceased meeting.”

Growing International Concern

Secretary of State Marco Rubio condemned the detentions, urging Beijing to release the Zion Church leaders immediately. International monitors estimate China is home to more than 96 million Christians, with the vast majority attending unregistered churches that Beijing views as a threat to Party authority.

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