Last Friday, Grace Jin Drexel, a US-based daughter of prominent pastor Jin Mingri, received alarming news: her father and another pastor had been detained in Shenzhen while visiting the city. This incident has led to fears of a broader crackdown on Christianity in China, with about 30 arrests made, marking what activists are calling the largest round-up of Christians in decades.
Many now perceive these arrests—all connected to the Zion Church network founded by Mr. Jin—as a prelude to intensified governmental efforts to suppress underground churches. This is partly evidenced by new laws governing religious practices and a documented increase in police scrutiny of church members.
China, governed by the Communist Party’s atheist ideology, allows for a vast Christian population, estimated to include around 38 million Protestants and nearly six million Catholics. However, these figures likely exclude the many adherents of unregistered, or underground churches, that defy state-sanctioned practices.
Historically, government efforts to control religious affairs have included demolishing church buildings, removing visibility of cross symbols, and banning religious content, especially in digital apps. Recent years have seen the detainment and sentencing of pastors from various underground movements in line with these restrictive measures.
As pressure intensifies, many within the Zion affiliation anticipated an upcoming crackdown but were unprepared for the scale of last weekend's operations, which spread across over ten Chinese cities, including major urban centers like Beijing and Shanghai. Although some arrested members have been released, the majority remain in custody, stoking fears of increasing repression targeting Christian congregations.
Rights organizations, such as Open Doors and the Luke Alliance, have been vocal about the implications of these arrests, suggesting that the authorities may escalate the persecution against unregistered churches under various pretenses, potentially accusing members of serious offenses.
As fears grow regarding the future of religious freedom in China, community leaders like Sean Long from Zion Church describe this wave of arrests as a calculated move to intimidate not only Zion but all underground Christian networks.
The Chinese government has defended its actions by asserting that all religious practices must comply with state laws, while urging foreign nations to respect their domestic policies.
In light of the recent string of events, as many churches brace for tighter scrutiny, the resilience of the underground church remains steadfast. As Sean Long optimistically remarked, Persecution cannot destroy the church; history has shown that where there is repression, revival will follow.
