Pastor Ezra Jin Mingli Under Pressure in China

Pastor Ezra Jin Mingli, who established the Beijing Zion Church, is now facing severe repression from the Chinese government. Zion Church, known as a prominent network of house churches in China since 2007, has recently seen a rise in arrests, leaving many Christians anxious about their safety. The church has over 10,000 members across 40 cities, and there are concerns among followers that the government is targeting them due to their rapid growth.

Reports indicate that on a recent Friday, more than ten police officers raided Mingli’s apartment in Beihai, Guangxi province. They searched his home and took him away in handcuffs. This detention is part of a broader trend, with several house church leaders arrested across six cities in China.

The government pressure began back in August 2018, when Mingli declined to install security cameras in the sanctuary, leading to a temporary shutdown of the church. This escalation in threats against him, as one of the most visible unregistered pastors in China, has caught the attention of U.S. officials and international Christian groups, who have called for his release.

Crucially, Mingli faces the possibility of jail time for not registering with the state-sanctioned Three-Self Patriotic Movement. It has been noted that Chinese authorities are determined to monitor unregistered churches, viewing them as a potential threat to social harmony. Since 2018, under increasing religious controls by the Chinese Communist Party, churches must pledge allegiance to the party to remain operational. Bob Fu, who leads the U.S.-based China Aid Association, described Mingli’s situation as part of the most severe crackdown on underground churches in over four decades.

The U.S. State Department has urged China to free Mingli, while numerous Christian organizations are increasingly worried that this oppressive trend toward house churches is merely the beginning. As Christians in the U.S., there’s a sense of unity in advocating for those who face persecution, even if we’re not experiencing it ourselves.

The Bible verse Hebrews 13:3 comes to mind: “Continue to remember those who are in prison, as if you were together with them in prison.” In a spirit of solidarity, it’s essential to pray for Pastor Mingli, his family, and the quest for religious freedom not just in China, but globally. Remembering the persecuted is vital, and taking action where possible is encouraged.