Daughter of detained Chinese pastor tells Congress Beijing carried out coordinated takedown of house churches

WASHINGTON — Grace Jin Drexel told a House Foreign Affairs subcommittee that Chinese authorities arrested her father, Pastor Ezra Jin, and dozens of leaders from a large urban house church in what she described as a coordinated, national‑level crackdown.

"My name is Grace Jin Drexel, and on 10/10/2025, my father, pastor Ezer [Ezra] Jin, was arrested by the Chinese authorities along with 27 other pastors and church leaders from Zion Church," Drexel said in testimony. She said 18 of those arrested "remain in prison today." Drexel urged the Chinese government to "release all these Zion church members immediately and unconditionally."

Drexel described a pattern of escalating pressure against independent Chinese congregations since 2016, including requirements to install facial‑recognition cameras, seizure of assets, threats of job loss and denial of children's education for members who continued to worship without state control. She recounted that Zion Church refused an order to install 23 facial‑recognition cameras in its sanctuary; after resisting, the church building was seized and assets were confiscated, she said.

She also recounted transnational harassment of her family: threatening phone calls to her mother from people impersonating federal agents, slashed tires at home, surveillance and hacking attempts targeting relatives in the United States. "China wants the world to know that speaking out carries consequences even in America," she testified.

Committee members responded with sympathy and said they would pursue diplomatic and oversight avenues. Rep. Maria Salazar and other members highlighted the need for continued public pressure and high‑level diplomatic engagement. Drexel asked U.S. officials to use the names and influence they hold "in whatever sphere" to advocate for detained religious leaders.

The subcommittee did not vote on legislation. Members requested additional materials for the record and asked witnesses to respond in writing to outstanding questions.

Drexel’s testimony was entered into the committee record.