An Yankui was at his home when officials arrested him at 10:30 a.m. on Sept. 29 for an investigation on suspicion of “organizing illegal religious activities,” according to a police record presented at the time of the arrest. 

The record justifies the Taiyuan Public Security Bureau’s actions by citing Article 96 of the Public Security Administration Punishments Law, which states, “Public security organs shall notify persons being summoned of the reasons for and the basis of the summons.” 

An is the pastor of Taiyuan Xuncheng Reformed Church, an unregistered Protestant church, and has a history of arrests for the same allegation of “organizing illegal religious activities.” In 2020, authorities detained him for 15 days and fined him. Since then, authorities have arrested him several times for various reasons, including accusing him of leaving the country under false pretenses. 

Authorities have also conducted multiple arrests and raids on the Taiyuan church throughout the years — one raid recently happened during an October 2025 worship service. 

An’s arrest is part of an increased crackdown on Christians in China. Just one week earlier, on Sept. 16, officials in southern China seized biblical resources from members belonging to an unregistered house church, accusing them of “promoting a cult.”  

One believer was threatened when they were summoned for questioning and were told that refusal to cooperate would lead to an official investigation of their children. Police also forced the church out of its rented meeting space. 

Advocacy Works

Religious freedom advocates are speaking out, including recently released Chinese Pastor Ezra Jin, who spoke at the 2026 Global Religious Freedom Gathering at Dallas Baptist University.

He shared his own testimony about the persecution his church has faced and his liberation from prison. 

“Because of the advocacy and God’s listening to your prayers, I was released from prison, and that is why I’m here and able to speak to you today,” Jin said. 

He told audience members that more than 150 pastors and church leaders are still imprisoned across China. Recalling his own story, he urged them to pray and advocate for their persecuted brothers and sisters. 

“If we do not do anything when we could have done something,” Jin said, “then one day we must also realize we will also face God face-to-face.” 

Story by Bella Agnello 

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