Crackdown on Faith: 30 Christians Arrested in China Amid Growing Concern

Mon Oct 20 2025 19:51:12 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Recent arrests of 30 prominent Christians in China have sparked fears of an impending wider crackdown on underground churches. This incident highlights the ongoing struggle for religious freedoms in the country.

China has arrested 30 Christians, including pastor Jin Mingri, amidst growing fears of a crackdown on underground church activities. This recent action, described as the largest of its kind in decades, is seen by activists as the beginning of a wider suppression of religious freedoms. The arrests follow new regulations aimed at monitoring and regulating religious groups, raising alarms about the future of unregulated faith practices in the country.

Last Friday, Grace Jin Drexel received alarming news from her father, pastor Jin Mingri, about another pastor who had gone missing in Shenzhen. Soon after, she was unable to contact her father, who, alongside thirty other Christians, was arrested in what activists describe as China's largest crackdown on Christians in decades.

Those who are concerned believe this marks the start of a larger operation against underground churches, particularly under new laws that further restrict religious practices. Despite an officially recognized Christian population of about 44 million, many others are believed to worship in unregulated, underground churches.

Jin Mingri, known for his influential role in the Zion Church network, was among those arrested during a sweeping crackdown across at least ten cities. Following the arrests, the Chinese government issued statements maintaining that citizens enjoy religious freedom as long as they comply with state laws.

The recent crackdown signifies ongoing tensions between religious groups and the Chinese Communist Party, with many fearing that harsher measures against house churches will continue.

As other underground churches brace for potential scrutiny, it's clear that many practitioners of faith in China are feeling the pressure amid increasing government control, likely leading to further challenges in maintaining their rights to practice their beliefs freely.