China Detains Dozens of Underground Church Pastors in Major Crackdown

China Detains Dozens of Underground Church Pastors in Major Crackdown

In a sweeping enforcement action over the weekend, Chinese authorities detained dozens of pastors and leaders affiliated with one of the country’s most prominent underground “house churches.” The crackdown marks the most severe clampdown on unregistered Christian groups since 2018, sources say.

What Happened
According to church spokespersons and relatives, pastor Jin Mingri — founder of Beijing’s Zion Church — was taken into custody at his residence in Beihai city on Friday night.   At least 20 pastors and church leaders remain in detention, while authorities reportedly questioned over 150 worshippers in connection with the operation.

Jin is formally held in the Beihai No. 2 Detention Centre under suspicion of “illegal use of information networks,” a charge that carries a maximum sentence of seven years.   His daughter and church sources said that defense lawyers have not been allowed access, raising serious concerns about due process.

Why This Crackdown Matters

1. Religious Freedom Under Pressure

Zion Church operates outside of state control — part of a network of “house churches” that refuse official registration or oversight by the Chinese state’s religious bodies.   This group has grown especially rapidly in recent years, notably during the COVID-19 pandemic through online services and small gatherings.   The church’s expansion has drawn attention from the Chinese government, which views unregulated religious groups as potential challenges to state authority and social stability.

2. Regulatory Tightening & Online Control

This enforcement wave comes shortly after China’s top religious regulator introduced new rules banning unauthorized online preaching or religious training, especially by clergy operating beyond government registration. The rules also forbid “foreign collusion” in religious affairs.   Observers suggest that such regulations are part of a broader push to bring religious life under stricter state supervision.

3. Link to Broader Political Climate

China’s leadership has been reasserting control over civil society, and religious institutions are no exception. In early October, President Xi Jinping reaffirmed the state’s commitment to the “Sinicization” of religion — meaning religious practices must conform to socialist values and Chinese cultural norms.   The detention of pastors signals that even relatively moderate, widely-followed churches are being targeted under these tighter standards.

4. International and Domestic Backlash

The crackdown has drawn sharp international criticism. U.S. Senator Marco Rubio condemned the detentions and demanded the immediate release of the pastors.   Domestically, many worshippers and church members have expressed fear and uncertainty, especially since lawyers are reportedly being blocked from meeting with detainees.

Human Impacts & Concerns

Family members report alarm over Jin Mingri’s health — he has diabetes and requires consistent medical care.   The lack of access to defense attorneys, along with the uncertain status of many pastors, raises serious human rights concerns about arbitrary detention and unfair proceedings.

The crackdown also disrupts spiritual life for thousands of believers associated with Zion Church, which operates in around 50 cities and counts some 5,000 regular worshippers.   Many of these believers rely on in-person gatherings and online sermons to sustain religious connection avenues now under intense surveillance.

What’s Next

• Legal Charges & Trial

If formal indictments are filed, pastors like Jin could be prosecuted under the charge of unauthorized use of information networks or similar offenses. Their fate may depend heavily on China’s opaque judicial system.

• Further Control Over Religious Expression

Observers anticipate new enforcement rules or crackdowns targeting other unregistered churches or faith groups using digital platforms, especially as China tightens its grip on online speech.

• International Scrutiny

Western governments, human rights groups, and religious freedom advocates are expected to increase pressure on Beijing in response to this crackdown. The international spotlight may shape Beijing’s approach in the months ahead.

• Impact on China’s Religious Landscape

As state-sanctioned churches remain under official oversight, the suppression of independent congregations may push believers either into secrecy or force them to accept more restrictive forms of worship.

Final Thoughts

The detention of dozens of underground church pastors, including a prominent leader like Jin Mingri, underscores a darker chapter in China’s evolving religious policy. Beyond an assault on religious pluralism, this crackdown indicates how the Chinese government is leveraging new regulatory tools to monitor and control even modestly sized faith communities.

Source :

Reuters