Source: Global Christian Relief, October 13<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In early October 2025, police across several provinces in China moved before dawn, knocking down doors, cutting power, and storming homes where believers were gathered for worship or rest. Among those taken was Pastor Ezra Jin of Beijing\u2019s Zion Church, one of China\u2019s most influential unregistered congregations. Within three days, nearly 30 pastors and staff had been detained or gone silent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Founded in 2007 with fewer than 20 believers, Zion Church grew into one of the nation\u2019s largest house congregations, more than 1,500 members and 20 pastors meeting in the heart of Beijing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Then came 2018. New religious regulations effectively outlawed unregistered churches. Hundreds of police flooded Zion\u2019s sanctuary, confiscating everything. Pastor Ezra was placed under surveillance and forbidden to leave the country. His wife and children fled to the United States. He has not seen them in seven years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You\u2019d think that would end the story. But instead, it began a new one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe moved from one sanctuary to hundreds,\u201d Pastor Sean said. \u201cOnline gatherings, small fellowships, new church plants. God grew us wider, not smaller.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What they called the online sanctuary soon connected more than a thousand screens each week. From the ashes of one building rose a hundred new fellowships in 40 cities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThis is God\u2019s work,\u201d he said. \u201cNo one could have imagined it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
By 2025, the authorities had taken notice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n