Summary
Chinese authorities have arrested a Christian pastor, Ezra Jin, and many members of his church, Zion Church. This action is part of a larger crackdown on underground religious groups not registered with the government. Zion Church previously faced a shutdown in 2018 and has since operated through online and in-person gatherings across China.
Key Facts
- Pastor Ezra Jin and multiple church members were arrested in China for being part of an unregistered church.
- Zion Church is a large underground Christian group with locations all over China.
- The arrest happened in the Guangxi region, and the pastor's daughter, Grace Jin Drexel, is a U.S. citizen.
- More than 30 people from the church have been detained, and some are facing criminal charges, including spreading religious information online.
- The Chinese government has a history of arresting leaders of underground religious groups not sanctioned by the state.
- Zion Church was shut down in 2018 but later resumed through a mix of online and physical meetings.
- The church and its representatives are appealing to the global Christian community to urge the Chinese government to release those detained.
- Christianity and Islam are viewed by the Chinese government as foreign influences, leading to scrutiny and actions against religious figures.
