Today's Journal
CHINA’S CRACKDOWN ON CHURCHES
“China’s Crackdown on Churches Will Backfire”Bill Drexel and Grace Jin Drexel, The Washington Post
“Over the weekend of Oct. 10, 2025 Chinese police, often in plain clothes and at night, descended across 11 cities to pluck nearly 30 pastors and other church leaders from their homes and public spaces. More than 10 officers invaded the apartment building of the 56-year-old head pastor Ezra Jin — father and father-in-law of the authors — to take him into custody for “illegal use of information networks,” based on new guidance from the State Bureau of Religious Affairs. Indications suggest the beginning of a broader crackdown on Christians, and other religious communities, across China.”
It’s easy to forget how many Christians are persecuted across the world for simply gathering to worship. In China, churches navigate an unsteady and sometimes unpredictable relationship with the government. But after every major crackdown, the church continues to grow. As the authors detail, the more the Chinese Communist Party tries to force churches to bow to the state, the more they grow and spread.
This is a reminder of what Luke tells us in the book of Acts. When the church was being persecuted, the Apostles were being arrested, and divisions were roiling the church, he writes, “And the word of God continued to increase, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith” (Acts 6:7). When Herod, trying to stamp out the church, was praised as a god and struck down, Luke reminds us, “But the word of God increased and multiplied.” (Acts 12:24). When Paul was in Ephesus and faced Jewish exorcists imitating the Holy Spirit and was engulfed in a violent riot, Luke says again, “So the word of the Lord continued to increase and prevail mightily.” (Acts 19:20).
This movement is a threat to every government and ruler that sets itself up against it. The CCP fears the power of the church, it’s unity, strength, and unwillingness to serve any other master. But God has outwitted his enemies. Persecution only causes the church to continue to grow.”
I archived this article and found it again and wanted to publish it and present it for prayer and meditation to our readers.
“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to them.” Jesus