Chinese Authorities Crack Down on Family Church, Detain Pastor Wang Lin

Su Ming, the wife of detained priest Wang Lin, described the escalating repression faced by the Chinese “family church” during an interview with Amnesty International. On October 9, 2025, Wang Lin was taken into custody by police during a crackdown on the Beijing Zion Church, a “family church” that operates independently of the state’s recognized religious administration. The Zion Church, composed mainly of Christians, lacks an official registration, which has made it a target of government scrutiny.

Following Wang Lin’s arrest, Su Ming and her two young children were subjected to surveillance and harassment, restricting their movement and separating them from their family. The repression has significantly altered the course of their lives, as Su Ming recounted the broader impact on the Chinese independent Christian community. The authorities have intensified their efforts to control religious groups that refuse to accept state oversight, viewing such groups as a threat to national security.

Wang Lin, a former lawyer who became a priest in 2006, had previously studied theology in the United States before returning to China in 2017 to serve at the Zion Church. The church’s shutdown forced many members to leave Beijing, with some relocating due to harassment and others fearing repercussions on their employment. Worship gatherings were disbanded, and the community was scattered across the country.

During the pandemic, believers maintained connections through online platforms such as Zoom. The church’s operations have since evolved into a network spanning multiple provinces, rather than remaining confined to Beijing. This expansion has coincided with increased surveillance and repression, as authorities attempt to bring the family church under their control.

The charges brought against the Zion Church leaders, including accusations of collecting “proceeds of fraud” and treating believers’ “satisfactions” as illegally obtained money, reflect a broader pattern of state action. The authorities have increasingly used legal charges such as “fraud” and “unlawful business” to suppress the normal operations of independent religious groups. This trend mirrors the prosecution of human rights defenders under charges related to endangering national security.

The case of the Zion Church underscores the ongoing struggle for religious freedom within China, as independent Christian communities face systemic barriers to practicing their faith without government interference. The government’s approach highlights the tension between state control and the right to religious expression, raising concerns about the treatment of individuals and groups who challenge state authority.

Source: Read the original report (translated from Mandarin Chinese)