by Emmitt Barry, Worthy News Washington D.C. Bureau Chief
(Worthy News) – Authorities in eastern China have carried out one of the largest crackdowns on unregistered Christian churches in recent years, arresting more than 70 people in a sweeping operation targeting Bible study groups and house church gatherings, according to Open Doors.
Pastors, church members, and seekers were detained during worship services, while others were taken from homes and workplaces. The crackdown, which began two months ago, mobilized as many as 400 police officers and 200 vehicles. Detainees were interrogated about denominational affiliations and financial activities, with at least 20 people fined amounts ranging from several thousand to tens of thousands of yuan. The fines reportedly were tied to church offerings and so-called “illegal” Bible study meetings.
Local partners say the impact has been devastating. “Due to the recent crackdown, our church has come to a standstill,” one believer shared. “More than 80 groups within the house church movement have ceased meeting. Of the original 14 churches, only a few remain.” Many ministry leaders have stepped down under pressure, leaving just one full-time worker in the region.
The reasons for the operation remain unclear. Some speculate the churches were reported as “heretical,” betrayed by an informant, or suspected of foreign connections. Others note it reflects a broader policy by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) to bring all religion under strict state control. Even state-sanctioned churches such as the Three-Self Patriotic Movement and the Catholic Patriotic Association face increasing restrictions, closures, and demands to conform to communist ideology.
Adding to the concern, Ming*, a believer who had been previously monitored for his faith, has gone missing. Local partners fear he has again been detained after recent reports of beatings and threats by police for leading a small gospel gathering.
In the 2025 World Watch List by Open Doors, China is ranked 15th out of 50 for severe Christian persecution, up four spots from the previous year. This rise is attributed to stricter regulatory enforcement, which has led to the shutdown of unregistered churches and increased scrutiny of official ones. Open Doors estimates there are about 96.7 million Christians in China.
Since the establishment of the People’s Republic of China in 1949, Christianity has experienced significant growth, with the number of Christians increasing from 4 million to an estimated 58 million Protestants and 9 million Catholics by 2010.
Despite ongoing intense persecution and strict government controls, current estimates suggest that there are between 80 and 100 million Christians in China, including both officially registered members and those in unregistered house church communities.
* Names have been changed for security reasons.
Copyright 1999-2026 Worthy News. This article was originally published on Worthy News and was reproduced with permission.
More Worthy News
Israel expanded its military campaign against Hezbollah on Monday, striking more than 70 targets across Lebanon as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to increase pressure on the Iranian-backed terror group following a sharp rise in drone and rocket attacks on northern Israel.
A federal appeals court is weighing whether Kansas City can use its public accommodation ordinance to require Christian counselors to counsel gay married couples despite the counselors’ biblical convictions on marriage and sexuality.
Tens of thousands of evangelical Christians gathered in the Netherlands for one of Europe’s largest multi-day Christian events, with organizers and participants expressing hopes for spiritual revival in the nation and across Europe.
President Donald Trump pushed back Monday against sharp criticism from Republicans and former administration officials over a potential U.S.-Iran agreement, insisting that any final accord must prevent Tehran from obtaining a nuclear weapon or it will not be signed.
President Donald Trump said Monday that countries involved in negotiations over Iran should be required to join the Abraham Accords, signaling that the White House is seeking to turn a possible Iran agreement into a wider regional realignment that includes normalization with Israel.
Tensions remained high in Serbia’s capital Belgrade on Sunday after at least tens of thousands of people demanded elections and rallied against what they view as the increasingly authoritarian rule of President Aleksandar Vučić, with violence erupting after the protest and more than 20 people arrested.
Investigations were ongoing Sunday into the killing of three senior Kuki-Thadou Christian church leaders by unidentified gunmen in India’s northeastern Manipur State, Christian investigators told Worthy News.