Chinese authorities have arrested Pastor Jin Mingri, a prominent Christian leader, and more than 20 members of his independent church, the Church of Zion, in Beijing. The arrests were made on October 13, 2025, on suspicion of "illegal use of information networks". This charge is often used to target groups that attempt to maintain contact or share their faith online, circumventing the ban on physical gatherings.
Pastor Jin Mingri, also known as Ezra Jin, is a charismatic leader with a strong academic background, having graduated from Beijing University, Nanjing Union Theological Seminary, and Fuller Theological Seminary. Born in Heilongjiang, he belongs to China's Korean ethnic minority. His conversion to Christianity came after the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests. Initially, he attended a church affiliated with the government-controlled Three-Self Patriotic Movement, but soon distanced himself from it.
In 2007, Pastor Jin founded the Church of Zion in Beijing, which rapidly grew in popularity, attracting over 1,000 followers and establishing itself as a major independent community. The church's growth and influence have been met with increasing state repression in recent years. In 2018, authorities ordered the closure of the church and placed Pastor Jin under house arrest.
The October 2025 arrests mark an escalation in pressure on unauthorized religious communities. The arrests targeted Pastor Jin and his followers for alleged misuse of information networks, a charge commonly used to suppress online activities of independent groups. This crackdown highlights the ongoing challenges faced by independent Christians in China.
Grace Jin Drexel, Pastor Jin's daughter, has launched an appeal for the release of her father and all detained followers. The situation has raised concerns about religious freedom in China, with many watching closely as the government continues to tighten its grip on independent religious groups.
The Church of Zion's growth and Pastor Jin's leadership have drawn attention from international observers. Journalist Evan Osnos has described Pastor Jin as having a "dynamic televangelist talent". The church's popularity and influence have made it a target for state repression, reflecting the Chinese government's unease with independent religious movements.
The arrests of Pastor Jin Mingri and his followers are the latest in a series of incidents highlighting the Chinese government's efforts to control and suppress independent religious groups. OUi Radio will continue to monitor the situation, which underscores the persistent challenges faced by independent Christians in China.
Key points
- Pastor Jin Mingri's arrest and the crackdown on the Church of Zion reflect the Chinese government's ongoing efforts to suppress independent religious groups.
- The charges of "illegal use of information networks" are often used to target groups that attempt to maintain online presence and share their faith.
- The situation highlights the ongoing challenges faced by independent Christians in China, where the government tightly controls religious activities.
