Thousands have reportedly been arrested as Beijing targets underground churches that refuse to place the state above their faith
by Emmitt Barry, Worthy News Washington D.C. Bureau Chief
BEIJING (Worthy News) – Chinese authorities have intensified a nationwide campaign against Christians who worship outside state-controlled churches, arresting thousands of believers and targeting some of the country’s largest underground congregations, according to an investigation by The Telegraph.
China officially recognizes Protestantism and Catholicism, but churches are permitted to operate legally only when they submit to government oversight. State-approved congregations are expected to promote Communist Party loyalty, display patriotic symbols and incorporate political messaging into church life.
Millions of Christians instead gather through independent “house churches,” believing their worship and teaching should remain free from government control.
Those believers increasingly face police raids, detention and intimidation.
One Christian identified only as “TJ” told *The Telegraph* that police forced their way into his home, separated him from his wife and young daughter and interrogated the family. His wife was later taken into custody along with phones, books and artwork and had not been released at the time of the report.
Bob Fu, founder of the Christian persecution watchdog ChinaAid, said more than 10,000 people have been arrested during President Xi Jinping’s decade-long campaign against Christians and independent churches.
Fu described the crackdown as an attempt by Xi to ensure that no spiritual authority is considered greater than the Communist Party or its leader.
The latest reported operation targeted the Early Rain Covenant Church, where armed police reportedly detained more than 30 members in June.
Members of Zion Church, one of China’s largest underground church networks, have also faced widespread arrests. Nearly 30 church leaders and believers were detained in October 2025, including founder Pastor Ezra Jin Mingri and the wife of another pastor.
Jin was released and arrived in the United States on July 4 following diplomatic intervention by President Donald Trump. However, at least eight other Zion Church members remained imprisoned, according to the pastor’s family and ChinaAid.
Zion Church reportedly grew from roughly 1,500 members in 2018 to about 5,000 after moving to decentralized gatherings and online services. Its expansion appears to have made the congregation an increasingly visible target for authorities determined to bring all religious activity under Communist Party supervision.
In another recent case, authorities arrested 20 Christians in the southern village of Yayang after the congregation refused to display the Chinese flag inside its church. The building’s cross was removed, and the church was demolished in May. Its leaders and members reportedly remain imprisoned.
Despite the mounting pressure, China’s underground churches continue to grow and worship, often meeting quietly in homes or through encrypted online networks.
For many Chinese believers, the issue is not political rebellion but a foundational confession of faith: Jesus Christ—and not the Communist Party—is Lord.
Copyright 1999-2026 Worthy News. This article was originally published on Worthy News and was reproduced with permission.
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