Christian pastor Jin Mingri and 30 other members of the Zion Church have been arrested in China, suggesting increased repression against underground churches.

Last Friday, Grace Jin Drexel learned that her father, Pastor Jin Mingri, was detained in China, along with 30 other members of the Zion Church, in what activists consider the largest arrest of Christians in recent decades. This action comes in the context of new laws aimed at limiting the activities of underground churches, while pressure on them has significantly increased. China has a considerable Christian population, but most attend unregistered churches that do not adhere to state-approved ideologies.

The recent arrests are seen as a sign of broader repression, with activists warning that other churches could be targeted. Pastor Jin, known for his opposition to government control over religion, founded the Zion Church, which grew rapidly but has been subjected to harassment and closure by authorities. Although the fate of him and other members remains uncertain, church leaders are optimistic that they will survive this crisis.