Chinese authorities detain Protestant pastor amid ongoing house church crackdown

Authorities in Taiyuan, China, have detained Pastor An Yankui of the unregistered Taiyuan Xuncheng Reformed Church on allegations of “organizing illegal religious activities.” According to reports from International Christian Concern, police took the pastor into custody at his home, citing the Public Security Administration Punishments Law. An has faced multiple detentions and fines since 2020 for his leadership of the congregation, which operates outside the state-sanctioned Three-Self Patriotic Movement.

This incident follows broader reports of pressure on unregistered house churches across China. In September, officials in Guangzhou confiscated materials from the Guangfu Church and accused members of promoting a cult. Meanwhile, Pastor Ezra Jin, recently released from detention, stated at a religious freedom gathering in Dallas that over 150 church leaders remain in custody nationwide. Jin noted that despite his own release, the situation for detained members of his former congregation, Zion Church, has reportedly intensified as authorities seek to expedite legal convictions.