Dozens of Zion Church pastors detained; founder Ezra Jin arrested in Guangxi amid China crackdown
Chinese authorities arrested Zion Church founder Pastor Ezra Jin (Jin Mingri) at his home in Beihai, Guangxi, and detained or made unreachable dozens — reportedly more than 30 — pastors and staff across cities including Beijing, Shanghai and Shenzhen, with some later released amid allegations of "illegal dissemination of religious information" online. Witnesses say police used a "wanted list" and force, including separating a woman from her newborn; the sweep, targeting a church founded in 2007 with large in-person and online followings, has drawn U.S. criticism and rights groups’ warnings that it is one of the most extensive crackdowns on Chinese Christianity in decades.
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📌 Key Facts
- Pastor Ezra Jin (Jin Mingri, 56), founder of Zion Church, was arrested/detained at his home in Beihai, Guangxi on Friday, his daughter confirmed.
- Dozens of Zion Church pastors and staff — roughly 30 or more — were detained, arrested or became unreachable across multiple cities, including Beijing, Shanghai and Shenzhen.
- Authorities have accused some detainees of 'illegal dissemination of religious information' (including via the internet); as of Sunday officials had not publicly confirmed formal charges for all those detained.
- Witnesses described police using a 'wanted list' and violent tactics during the sweep; one report said a female pastor was separated from her newborn during arrest.
- Some people detained were released after initial roundups, while others remain in custody or unreachable.
- Zion Church, founded in 2007 and active in about 40 cities, had more than 1,000 in-person congregants before the crackdown and drew pandemic-era online audiences sometimes around 10,000 via Zoom, YouTube and WeChat.
- The detentions come after new September regulations limiting online religious activity to officially registered channels, a regulatory backdrop authorities appear to be enforcing.
- U.S. and advocacy reactions were immediate — including calls for Jin’s release from figures such as former Vice President Mike Pence and condemnations from groups including Luke Alliance and ChinaAid — and outlets reported the sweep could have diplomatic implications (some coverage framed it as a potential bargaining chip ahead of a possible Trump–Xi meeting); the Chinese Embassy and the U.S. Embassy offered no immediate comment in some reports.
📰 Sources (4)
Pastors and staff from underground church are arrested in China
New information:
- NPR confirms founder Pastor Ezra Jin was arrested Friday at his home in Beihai, Guangxi, per his daughter.
- More than 30 Zion Church pastors/staff were arrested or became unreachable starting Thursday, according to spokesperson Sean Long.
- Some detainees face criminal charges for 'illegal dissemination of religious information via the internet.'
- Witnesses described police using a 'wanted list' and violent tactics; one female pastor was separated from her newborn during arrest.
- The Chinese Embassy did not respond to NPR’s request for comment as of Sunday.
Beijing Detains Prominent Underground Pastor, Complicating U.S.-China Ties
New information:
- WSJ identifies daughter Grace Jin Drexel as a U.S. Senate staffer living near Washington; wife named as Chunli Liu, with two U.S.-born children and Grace naturalized through marriage.
- Zion Church’s scope detailed: founded in 2007, operates in 40 cities; online prayer groups sometimes reached 10,000 participants.
- As of Sunday, authorities had not confirmed formal charges; a Zion pastor in the U.S. (Sean Long) says the church expects 'illegally disseminating religious information' charges and fears a lengthy sentence.
- Bob Fu (ChinaAid) calls the sweep the 'most extensive and coordinated wave of persecution' against similar churches in 40+ years.
- Report frames detention as a potential bargaining chip ahead of a possible Trump–Xi meeting, noting fresh trade tensions may imperil the summit.
- U.S. Embassy in Beijing offered no immediate comment.
China Detains Dozens of Members of Underground Church
New information:
- Pastor Jin Mingri (56) was detained at his home in Beihai, Guangxi, on Friday.
- Authorities accuse him of 'illegal dissemination of religious information'; some detainees were released after initial detentions.
- Nearly 30 other Zion Church pastors or workers were detained or went missing in multiple cities, including Beijing, Shanghai and Shenzhen.
- Zion’s pre‑crackdown size (1,000+ attending) and pandemic online audiences reaching around 10,000 via Zoom, YouTube and WeChat.
- China issued new regulations in September limiting online religious activity to officially registered channels.
- Context on Jin’s prior surveillance/harassment: forced to leave Beijing, barred from travel abroad; he floated retiring to rejoin family but was refused by state security.
- U.S. reaction: Former Vice President Mike Pence publicly called for Jin’s release; U.S.‑based Luke Alliance called this the biggest crackdown on Chinese Christianity since 2018.