CHINA: Coordinated Arrests Against Church Leaders

Source: VOMC
Sources: ChinaAid, Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Christianity Today

Pastor Jin Mingri (second from right). Photo: ChinaAid

Under the leadership of Pastor Jin Mingri, Beijing Zion Church has grown into one of the largest unregistered churches in China. In addition to having several satellite campuses, the church draws more than 1,000 attendees to its Sunday services each weekend.

Pastor Jin, a former participant in the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests, came to faith in Christ shortly after the political demonstrations, and has since encountered persistent opposition from officials of the Chinese Communist Party. Although his wife eventually relocated to the United States for safety and to be with their children (who are American citizens), Pastor Jin chose to remain in China despite the risk of continued persecution.

Starting on October 9th, the Chinese authorities began a coordinated campaign against the church and its leaders. As many as 30 pastors and associates, including Pastor Jin, have been taken into custody. According to Sean Long, one of the church's pastors who had been studying abroad at the time of the arrests, the detained Christians are being charged with "illegal dissemination of religious information via the Internet."

In response, the church has mobilized legal assistance for each of the arrested believers. As of October 16th, 32 attorneys had formally joined the high-profile case. The incident has also drawn international attention, prompting advocacy efforts aimed at pressuring authorities to drop the charges.

Despite the arrests, the church continues to meet in groups of five to 50 people, as has been its custom. Together they watch a sermon via Zoom, followed by in-person discussions. Pastor Sean emphasized the church's resilience, stating, "We are willing to pay the price to bear the cost of discipleship."
For more information on the persecution of Christians in China, go to our country profile.

• Please pray for Pastor Jin and the other detained church leaders, asking God to fill them with His perfect peace, shield them with His divine protection, and uphold them with His mighty strength, as they await justice and vindication.
• May the Lord also strengthen and comfort those who were otherwise affected by the recent crackdown – including the church leaders' concerned families and fellow congregation members.
• In addition, prayerfully remember the detained believers' representatives who are providing legal assistance and advocacy, asking that they be empowered to speak with wisdom, clarity and courage under the guidance of God's Holy Spirit (Luke 12:11-12).