"China Cracks Down on Underground Church, Arrests Dozens of Pastors and Staff"

Pastors and Staff from Underground Church Arrested in China Amid Crackdown A Christian pastor and father of U.S. citizens, along with dozens of church staff and members, have been arrested in China amid a crackdown on underground churches, according to the Zion Church and its daughter. Ezra Jin, founder and pastor of the Zion Church, was arrested Friday while at his home in Beihai, Guangxi region, by Chinese authorities. The arrest comes as part of a broader crackdown on underground house churches across China, which have been deemed a threat to the country's communist government. According to the church, more than 100 members and staff were taken into custody during the raid, including Jin's daughter, who is also a member of the church. "It's been extremely shocking and very scary for our family," Grace Jin Drexel told NPR in an interview. "But we also have faith in God that He will see us through this difficult time." The Zion Church has been operating as an underground house church since 2018, when it was forced to close its official location due to government pressure. The church has continued to operate in secret, with congregations across China. China's communist government has long been wary of Christian churches, viewing them as a threat to the country's authority. In recent years, there have been numerous reports of arrests and harassment of church leaders and members. The arrest of Pastor Jin and his congregation has sparked international concern, with human rights groups calling for their release. "We are deeply troubled by the news of Pastor Ezra Jin's arrest," said a spokesperson for Amnesty International. "China must respect the right to freedom of religion and ensure that all individuals are treated fairly and without prejudice." The current status of Pastor Jin and his congregation is unclear, but it is believed that they will face trial in the coming weeks. The Chinese government has not commented on the arrests or the crackdown on underground churches. As the situation continues to unfold, the international community remains vigilant, calling for the release of Pastor Jin and his congregation. "We urge the Chinese government to respect the rights of all individuals, including those who practice their faith," said a spokesperson for the U.S. State Department. This story was compiled from reports by NPR Politics and NPR News.