You are quite right that the institutional church in the US is muzzled by the 501C3 laws, but then were in the Scripture does the Lord call for an institution? Oh yes, He doesn’t!

If you want to see more of the courage in China read: http://www.chinapartnership.org/blog/2018/9/116-chinese-pastors-sign-joint-statement-on-the-new-religious-regulations