Leaders of a Chinese house church have been arrested for supposedly “illegally using information networks” in what could also be a part of a broader crackdown by the Chinese government on non-state sanctioned Christianity.
This latest incident occurred at Zion Church in Beihai, Guangxi Province. The church’s senior pastor, Ezra Jin Mingri, was certainly one of the 18 arrested.
They might be held in pre-trial detention indefinitely or receive prison sentences of up to a few years, in line with Christian Solidarity Worldwide.
Zion Church is certainly one of the biggest unofficial churches in China, boasting a minimum of 5,000 members. In 2018 Beijing officials closed down the church’s major constructing after it refused to put in CCTV cameras.
Scott Bower, CEO of CSW, condemned the arrest of Pastor Jin and the opposite leaders of Zion Church. He said they’d “been targeted solely for the peaceful exercise of their religious beliefs”.
“We call on the Chinese Communist Party to release these individuals immediately and without condition, and to stop its harassment of churches and non secular groups that select to not register with the CCP as a way to practise their religion or belief without undue interference and surveillance,” he said.
According to Open Doors, which monitors anti-Christian activity the world over, China has recently begun cracking down on unregistered churches. In September it was reported that 70 Christians had been detained, with some being arrested in the course of church services.
Accusations included “fraud,” “running an illegal business,” or “organising illegal meetings.” In a minimum of one case church members liable for managing the collections were accused of economic wrongdoing, despite no complaints from throughout the church, Open Doors said.
A neighborhood partner for Open Doors said of the situation, “Due to the recent crackdown, our church has come to a standstill. More than 80 groups throughout the house church movement have ceased meeting. Of the unique 14 churches, only just a few remain.”
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