The Chinese Communist Party’s ongoing crackdown on Christianity has escalated, with multiple branches of the Zion Church facing raids and detentions in recent weeks. Between late May and early June, authorities targeted several house churches affiliated with the once-thriving Beijing Zion Church—previously the largest house church in the capital with over 1,500 members before it was banned in 2018. Since then, the church has operated underground, scattering across various cities in an effort to avoid surveillance. Despite repeated harassment, including interrogations, raids, and detentions, the faithful continue to gather in secret, demonstrating their resilience in the face of increasing religious persecution.

On May 30, police in Hefei, Anhui Province, raided the local Zion Church and the homes of several members. Pastor Gao Le, who was away at the time, returned quickly upon hearing of the incident and was detained for five days. Just days later, on June 1, police stormed a worship service in Guiyang and arrested church members Yao Yong and Mao Yue, holding them for 15 days without formal charges. Authorities also closed three Zion churches in Chongqing and questioned members in Hangzhou, Ningbo, and Guiyang. In Jiaxing, Zhejiang Province, believers were required to show identification. A church leader summarized the reality many are facing: “It’s not about Zion Church specifically—it’s about the government’s opposition to all Christian churches in the country.”

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SOURCE: International Christian Concern