(Anhui – May 13, 2026) Pastor Zhang Sen of Maizhong Reformed Church in Fuyang, Anhui Province, has been detained for more than 300 days following his July 2025 arrest in neighboring Jiangsu Province, according to church members and his family.
On May 7, his wife, Xu Chao, and the family briefly saw Zhang through a police vehicle window while authorities transported him, leaving the Yingzhou District People’s Court of Fuyang City, from a pretrial conference. Zhang smiled at his wife and child through the glass despite the lengthy detention.
As the police vehicle prepared to depart and return Zhang to the detention center, Xu Chao made a heart gesture toward her husband, and their young daughter called out, “Daddy, stay strong!” Xu Chao later stated that although the reunion after ten months was brief, it was emotionally significant for the family.
Since 2021, Maizhong Reformed Church in Fuyang, located in eastern China, has been subjected to what rights advocates and church members describe as administrative harassment and religious persecution from local authorities.
Reports from church members and advocates say congregants have been followed by unidentified individuals, several members were pressured to relocate, and roughly 20 church members have experienced some form of detention.
In an earlier incident, Pastor Zhang was detained after visiting a detention center to welcome released believers and praying with them.
During that earlier questioning, police presented photographs of his prayers as evidence. When Zhang asked, “Could it be that I have committed the crime of praying?” law enforcement officers reportedly replied, “Because your prayer was unregistered.”
On July 9, 2025, Pastor Zhang was detained by police in Xuzhou, Jiangsu Province, in a cross-provincial operation and subsequently transferred to the custody of authorities in Fuyang, where he remains in detention.
No verdict has yet been issued in the case. Concerns regarding Pastor Zhang’s legal rights have attracted attention from human rights organizations both within China and internationally.
Advocacy groups including ChinaAid say the case reflects broader pressure on unregistered Protestant house churches in China, particularly those operating outside state-approved religious structures.
His family and church members continue to call on authorities to respect religious freedom and to release Pastor Zhang Sen promptly.