Prominent Beijing Pastor Detained as China Intensifies Crackdown on Unregistered Churches

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Pastor Ezra Jin Mingri, founder of Beijing Zion Church, is suddenly facing an intense crackdown from Chinese leaders. Zion Church, an influential Chinese house church network, has been around since 2007, but recent arrests have Christians in China fearing for their lives. With over 10,000 people spread across 40 cities, it's suspected that the government has targeted Zion due to its growth.

According to ChinaAid, more than 10 officers broke into Mingri's apartment in Beihai, Guangxi province, on Friday, investigating his home and then taking him away in handcuffs. Not only that, but his detention by Chinese authorities is just one amid renewed arrests of house church leaders nationwide. Christianity Today notes that these arrests have so far taken place in six cities across China.

While threats originally began in August of 2018 when Mingri refused to install security cameras in the church sanctuary (and this caused the church to be shut down temporarily), these threats have reached another level. As one of China's most prominent unregistered pastors, U.S. officials and international Christian groups have boldly called for his release:

"We call on the CCP to immediately release the detained church leaders and to allow all people of faith, including members of house churches, to engage in religious activities without fear of retribution."

Today, Mingri is facing imprisonment for his refusal to register under the state-sanctioned Three-Self Patriotic Movement. Christian Today explains that Chinese authorities will continue to target these unregistered churches because they're seen as a threat to social order. The CCP's tightening religious control has existed since 2018, requiring churches to display loyalty to the party. Still, Bob Fu, founder of the U.S.-based group ChinaAid Association, remarks that Mingri's detentions represent "the most extensive and coordinated wave of persecution" against underground churches in China in more than 40 years.

Although the U.S. State Department has urged China to release Mingri, many Christian groups have globally expressed concern that the persecution of house churches like these is just the beginning. As followers of Christ, we may live in the U.S., but we're one as the body of Christ. It's our responsibility to pray for the persecuted church, even if we ourselves aren't presently being persecuted.

Let Hebrews 13:3 be our prayer today: "Continue to remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering" (NIV). Friends, I urge you to pray for Pastor Jin, his family, and religious freedom not only in China, but all over the world. Remember those who are in prison, pray for those who are persecuted, and take a stand however you can.

Amber Ginter is a teacher-turned-author who loves Jesus, her husband Ben, and granola. Growing up Amber looked for faith and mental health resources and found none. Today, she offers hope for young Christians struggling with mental illness that goes beyond simply reading your Bible and praying more. Because you can love Jesus and still suffer from anxiety. You can download her top faith and mental health resources for free to help navigate books, podcasts, videos, and influencers from a faith lens perspective. Visit her website at amberginter.com.