Between 9 and 11 October, nearly 30 pastors and church leaders affiliated with Zion Church, one of China’s most influential underground church networks, were reportedly detained or went missing across multiple regions in China. Among those detained is its founder, Pastor Jin Mingri.
As of 13 October, 16 individuals have been released. However, the status of the remaining detainees remains unclear.
The families of several detained individuals received official criminal detention notices issued on 13 October by the Yinhai Branch of Beihai Public Security Bureau in Guangxi Province. The documents confirm that Pastor Jin Mingri, Pastor Gao Yingjia, Pastor Yin Huibin, Sister Yang Lijun, and Pastor Wang Cong have been formally charged with “illegally using internet information.” The charges may be linked to the recently implemented “Online Code of Conduct for Religious Professionals” released by the National Religious Affairs Bureau in September 2025.
Zion Church, founded in Beijing in 2007, is one of China’s largest house church networks, with a presence in over 40 cities. Known for its work and active engagement in writing, education, family building, community care, and church planting, the church has also developed a significant online ministry in recent years.
Increasing Pressure for House Churches
In recent months, house churches in China, considered unregistered and illegal, have faced mounting pressure. Numerous gatherings in different regions of the country were raided, pastors and church workers interrogated, detained, or sentenced. The recent incident involving Zion Church has sparked reactions within the house church community. Believers and churches are calling for united prayer, and several influential house churches have issued public statements online expressing their support for Zion Church.
“In our hearts, there is fear, anger, tears, and confusion,” says Christian Chinese economist Dr. Zhao Xiao in a letter he posted online on 12 October to encourage Chinese believers in light of the situation of Zion Church. He continues, “This dark night feels especially long… But we also know that night is not eternal. As Scripture says, ‘The night is far gone; the day is at hand…’ (Romans 12:13).”
Your urgent prayers are a vital support for Zion Church and the house churches in China during this time of intense trial.
Please pray:
- Please pray that God protects and strengthens the remaining detained pastors and ministry workers.
- Please pray that their families would be comforted and sustained by the peace of Christ.
- Please pray that the church in China would stand firm in faith and love amid persecution.
- Please pray that justice and truth would prevail, and that the gospel would spread even more.
Stay updated with the latest prayer requests from the persecuted church.
