Faith Amidst Repression: A Daughter’s Story
In a stirring account shared at the International Religious Freedom Summit, Grace Jin Drexel, daughter of detained Chinese pastor Ezra Jin, voiced a powerful message of resilience. Her father’s story, she emphasized, is a testament to enduring faith despite governmental suppression.
Ezra Jin, a well-known Chinese pastor, was arrested on October 10 along with 27 other church leaders from the Zion Church. This sweeping action has been described by Drexel as one of the largest crackdowns on independent Christian congregations in China since the Cultural Revolution, drawing international criticism, including condemnation from U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
The arrests occurred in Beihai, Guangxi Province, with others reported missing in major cities like Beijing, Shanghai, and Shenzhen. Drexel explained that these actions are part of China’s broader strategy under Chairman Xi Jinping to exert total state control over religious practices, a policy known as the “sinicization of religion.”
While the Chinese government claims sinicization aims to make religions more aligned with Chinese culture, Drexel argues it is a thinly veiled attempt at repression. “Sinicization is not about making religion more Chinese,” she stated, criticizing the campaign for its efforts to suppress genuine religious expression.
Since 2018, this policy has led to increased persecution, including the removal of crosses, replacing hymns with party songs, and installing facial recognition cameras in churches. Zion Church became a target for refusing to install such surveillance devices, resulting in the government’s seizure of their building and an exit ban on Pastor Jin.
Despite these challenges, Drexel highlighted the unwavering spirit of her father and his congregation. “Even repression cannot extinguish faith,” she declared, noting that Zion Church has adapted by creating a hybrid model of worship that has expanded their reach significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Under this model, Zion Church has grown to its largest ever, with up to 10,000 people participating in daily online gatherings across 40 cities in China.
However, the situation remains dire for those imprisoned. Drexel described the harsh conditions her father and others face, including sleep deprivation and inadequate living conditions, exacerbating existing health issues.
Reflecting on her personal experiences, Drexel shared the emotional toll of her father’s imprisonment, noting, “I have not seen my beloved father in person in seven years.” She added that their family has endured transnational repression, including being monitored in the United States.
Despite these hardships, Drexel remains hopeful. “As a Christian, I believe that we are asked to take courage and to speak truth that the God who created Heaven and earth will stand by our side,” she affirmed. Her faith, she said, is strengthened by the belief in miracles and the conviction that their struggles serve a larger purpose.
Ending her speech with a note of hope, Drexel quoted her father’s letter from prison: “God has indeed used His power to uphold us.” Her words resonated with a message of steadfast faith and resilience, asserting that “God will not abandon us.”
This article was originally written by www.christianpost.com
