Pastor Ezra Jin Mingri Released After U.S. Intervention

WASHINGTON — Pastor Ezra Jin Mingri, who leads a prominent underground church in China, is freed following his detention in October. His release comes after U.S. President Donald Trump discussed his case with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, according to Jin’s family and rights advocates.

Jin arrived in Los Angeles and reunited with his family, Frances Hui announced from the Committee for Freedom in Hong Kong Foundation. In October, Jin and 17 leaders from the Zion Church were detained in a significant crackdown on a single church, alarming those concerned about China’s approach to religious freedom.

A family statement expressed gratitude to Trump and acknowledged Xi’s role in the quick release. The family hopes this signals improvement for religious people in China and better relations between the U.S. and China. The White House hasn’t commented.

Trump highlighted Jin’s detention upon returning from a state visit to Beijing in May. He mentioned raising concerns about both Jin and Hong Kong activist Jimmy Lai with Xi. Trump stated Xi’s feedback on Lai’s case, sentenced to 20 years in February, as challenging.

Activists applauded Jin’s release yet emphasized the ongoing detention of other church leaders. Maya Wang from Human Rights Watch pointed out that eight Zion Church members remain detained and should be freed.

The Zion Church, among China’s largest unregistered churches, refuses the requirement for believers to worship in registered congregations. The Communist Party perceives organized religion as a threat to its control, with Xi promoting the “Sinicization” policy that demands religious loyalty to the party.

Grace Jin Drexel, Jin’s daughter residing in the U.S., explained her father founded Zion Church for free worship where God is central, mirroring Christian practices globally. Although targeted by authorities since 2018, Jin returned to China, while his family stayed in the U.S.