Wang Cong

Between Oct. 9 and Oct. 11, 2025, Chinese authorities arrested nearly 30 leaders of Zion Church, an urban house-church network based in Beijing with influence in more than 40 cities across China. Many of those detained were charged with “illegally using an information network” on the grounds that the church conducts online worship services. This charge carries a sentence of up to three years in prison. Wang Cong, 43, an associate pastor of Zion Church, was among those arrested and has been separated from her 3-year-old child for the months she has been held in detention.

The series of raids and arrests was the biggest crackdown on Chinese Christians since 2018. Besides Wang Cong, nine men and eight women remain in detention: Jin Mingri, Wang Lin, Liu Jiang, Sun Cong, Gao Yingjia, Yin Huibin, Liu Zhenbin, Lin Shucheng, Wang Zhong, Wei Yunfei, Zhu Mingli, Wu Qiuyu, Li Shengjuan, Hu Yanzi, Zhan Ge, An Mei and Mei Liming.

“Their only ‘offense’ is worshiping God peacefully, preaching the gospel faithfully, shepherding their flock and serving their neighbors,” church leaders said in a statement on Oct. 12.

Founded in 2007, Zion Church has grown rapidly, reaching an estimated 1,500 members in Beijing by 2018 when it was shut down by authorities. During the coronavirus pandemic, the church shifted to online meetings and outdoor small group gatherings, hosting up to 10,000 participants for its regular gatherings.

Pray for Wang Cong to be strengthened and encouraged as she waits in detention, for her family to experience God’s supernatural provision and peace and for the other Zion Church leaders as they face prosecution and imprisonment. Pray, as the church’s leaders have requested, that “those in chains for Christ will be completely free in Christ.”