CHINA: Nine Zion Church Leaders Released as Others Face Prosecution

Source: VOMC
Source: ChinaAid

Eight of the Christians facing charges. Photo: Zion Church via ChinaAid

On November 18th, Communist authorities formally arrested 18 church leaders (pastors and other staff members) of the Beijing Zion Church, charging them with "illegally using information networks." These charges were part of the officials' ongoing campaign to target the church and its various campuses.
(Learn more about these arrests by reviewing this previously posted report.)

After spending more than eight months in detention, nine of the leaders were freed on June 18th. Their releases occurred after public security authorities exhausted the maximum period allowed for investigative detentions. When the family members of the discharged believers finally received the good news regarding the recent releases, they rushed to Beihai to welcome their loved ones after months of separation.

The remaining nine leaders – including the church's lead pastor, Ezra Jin Mingri – have since been transferred to the procuratorate for prosecution. In the interim, the charges against them escalated to "illegal business operations" and "fraud." At the time of publishing this Persecution & Prayer Alert, the church's lawyers have not yet been granted full access to the prosecutor's files.

Reports indicate that Chinese authorities are increasingly using economic crime allegations against churches, often in an effort to deflect accusations of systemic religious persecution.
Further reports addressing the ongoing oppression of our Christian brothers and sisters in China are available at our country profile.

• Praise God for the safe release of the nine Christian leaders who were recently reunited with their families! May they now experience His ministry of reconciliation and restoration following their time in detention.

• Please prayerfully uphold the remaining church leaders who are still in custody, asking the Lord to sustain them and their concerned loved ones with His unwavering presence.

• Remember the many other believers throughout China who are faithfully carrying out their ministry work in the midst of opposition, praying that they will also be further encouraged and empowered by the Holy Spirit.