Source: www.csw.org.uk
Date: October 10, 2026
A year has passed since the authorities launched a sweeping crackdown on Zion Church — one of the largest unregistered churches in China.
From 9-11 October 2025, 28 leaders were detained in raids across multiple cities. 18 of them went on to be formally arrested, including the founder Pastor Ezra Jin Mingri.
Thankfully, after 266 days behind bars, Pastor Jin was released and reunited with his family in the United States.
But today, eight leaders are still not free.
Please stand with them again in prayer — calling for their unconditional freedom, asking God to protect their health and sustain them body and soul, even in the cramped conditions of the detention centre.
Pray that God would comfort and uphold their families, some of whom have fled the country and continue to speak out for their loved ones.
They are:
Pastor Wang Lin, who has co-led Zion Church since 2017.
Pastor Yin Huibin, the head pastor in Beihai. His wife, Yang Lijun, was detained alongside him and later released on bail.
Pastor Lin Shucheng, who moved to establish a branch in Chengdu in 2021. He has never met his third child, who was born after Pastor Lin was detained.
Pastor Wang Cong, who served with her husband, Ren Zhong. Ren chased after the police vehicle with their three-year-old daughter in his arms, as Pastor Wang was taken away.
Pastor Gao Yingjia, who studied Physics at one of China’s most prestigious universities before entering full-time ministry. His wife, Geng Pengpeng, has since fled the country with their son, who was six years old at the time. She said:
‘I wish for all of this to be just a dream. When I wake up, everything returns to normal life, but clearly it is not.’
Wu Qiuyu, whose husband, Pastor Yang Jun, oversees campus ministries at Zion Church. He describes her as his ‘closest companion and co-worker’.
Pastor Yang said: ‘We never imagined she would be taken away by the police, right in front of our two young children.’
Pastor Liu Zhenbin, who oversaw the Qingdao congregation. He and his wife, Li Hongyang, have three young children.
Elder Wang Zhong sadly lost his father in August while he was still detained. Elder Wang suffers severe coronary heart disease.
Each now faces charges of either fraud or illegal business operations. Such charges are often used against churches that aren’t registered with the government, like Zion Church. Pastor Wang Lin is accused of both.
His wife, Su Ziming, said in an interview:
‘I often feel helpless when our children ask me, “When is Daddy coming home?” No family should have to endure this. Yet we have not lost hope.’
‘I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has cared about Pastor Wang Lin, our family, and the case of Zion Church. Your prayers and public support have given us great encouragement and reminded us that we are not alone.’
We stand with the detained and scattered members of Zion Church, in China and around the world, taking courage from the words the Lord spoke to Joshua:
“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
(Joshua 1:9)
P.S. Two other pastors in China also need urgent prayers.
Pastor John Cao, who previously served a seven-year sentence, has stage four cancer. The Chinese authorities continue to withold his passport, preventing him from leaving the country and reuniting with his family in the US.
Pastor Wang Yi of Early Rain Covenant Church has reportedly been diagnosed with late-stage liver cancer. It’s suspected that he has been denied adequate healthcare and treatment throughout his time in prison.