Sun Cong

Prisoner Details

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, including Pastor Sun Cong, 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.

Most of the arrest operations took place late at night or early in the morning, with police cutting power and breaking into homes to conduct searches. Pastor Sun Cong's residence was raided during the night and thoroughly searched.

"Sun Cong's mother collapsed from fright on the spot and was rushed for emergency treatment," a front-line worker reported.

The series of raids and arrests was the biggest crackdown on Chinese Christians since 2018. Besides Sun Cong, eight men and nine women remain in detention: Jin Mingri, Wang Lin, Liu Jiang, Gao Yingjia, Yin Huibin, Liu Zhenbin, Lin Shucheng, Wang Zhong, Wang Cong, 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 the spiritual strength and encouragement of Pastor Sun Cong and for the protection and provision for his family, especially his mother. Pray also 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."