Imagine a place where practicing your faith could land you in prison. That’s the chilling reality for Christians in China, where a recent wave of arrests has targeted pastors and members of underground churches. Among them is Pastor Ezra Jin, a prominent leader of Zion Church, a large 'house church' with congregations across the country. Jin, a father of U.S. citizens, was arrested at his home in Guangxi, leaving his family in shock and fear. But here's where it gets even more alarming: this isn't an isolated incident. Over 30 pastors and church staff have been detained or gone missing since Thursday, some facing charges like 'illegal dissemination of religious information via the internet.' Witnesses describe violent arrests, with one female pastor forcibly separated from her newborn baby. This crackdown raises a critical question: Is religious freedom truly possible in a nation where faith is seen as a threat to state control?
Zion Church, founded by Jin in 2007, has grown rapidly, reaching thousands weekly through a blend of online and in-person services. But its success, coupled with rising U.S.-China tensions, may have made it a target. Pastor Sean Long, a spokesperson for the church, insists Zion is not a political force or a threat to the Chinese government. 'We are not criminals but Christians,' he says. 'We love our people, our society, our culture. We are believers of Jesus, not pawns in geopolitical games.' Yet, the Chinese Communist Party views Christianity and Islam as 'foreign' influences, often clashing with unregistered churches like Zion. This isn’t the first time Zion has faced persecution—it was raided and shut down in 2018 but re-emerged stronger. Jin himself, a former Tiananmen Square protester with a doctorate in ministry, seemed to anticipate his arrest, telling his family that persecution could spark a revival in Christianity. His daughter, Grace Jin Drexel, reveals he even prepared video footage for his grandchildren, knowing his work might come at a high cost. 'He became a pastor understanding the risk of imprisonment,' she says. 'He could have stayed in the U.S. but chose to return to stand with his church during its suffering.'
But here’s the part most people miss: While U.S. officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, have condemned the arrests and called for Jin’s release, the global response remains muted. Rubio’s statement highlights the CCP’s hostility toward Christians who resist state interference in their faith. Meanwhile, Zion’s members, though fearful, remain resolute. 'We will not stop sharing the good news of Jesus Christ,' Long declares. This story isn’t just about arrests—it’s about faith, resilience, and the clash between religious freedom and state control. What do you think? Is China’s crackdown justified, or is it a violation of basic human rights? Share your thoughts in the comments—this conversation needs your voice.
