China has released the founder of a prominent underground church after holding him in detention for several months, according to statements from his family and a Christian advocacy group. ChinaAid confirmed that Pastor Jin Mingri, commonly known by his English name Ezra Jin, arrived in Los Angeles on July 4 following months of confinement in detention centers located in the southern Chinese city of Beihai. He had been detained since October during a crackdown on unregistered religious organizations.
ChinaAid issued a formal statement on Sunday expressing profound gratitude for the pastor`s release. Jin founded the Zion Church in Beijing back in 2007, quickly becoming one of the most recognizable figures within China`s clandestine Christian movement. The Zion Church is widely considered one of the largest house churches in the country that operates outside of government registration requirements. These institutions frequently defy regulations that mandate believers worship only in state-sanctioned congregations.
Although Chinese authorities shut down the physical premises used by the Zion Church in 2018, the group adapted by continuing its ministry online, which enabled them to maintain contact with thousands of worshippers. The crackdown intensified last year when authorities moved to detain Jin alongside other leadership figures from the church. During that operation, eighteen church leaders were taken into custody and charged with the illegal use of information networks.
In a public statement regarding his return, Jin`s family described his release as a miracle and expressed their overwhelming joy. The family extended their thanks to God and acknowledged the pivotal role of US President Donald Trump and his administration. Grace Jin, the pastor’s daughter, indicated that President Trump had personally raised her father’s case with Chinese President Xi Jinping during his visit to Beijing in May. At that time, Trump informed the press that President Xi was seriously considering the pastor`s release.
The family noted in a separate statement that they believe the outcome could not have been achieved without direct intervention from President Xi Jinping. They expressed hope that this development signals a positive shift for individuals of faith within China and could potentially improve diplomatic relations between the United States and the Chinese government.
As of Sunday, the Chinese foreign ministry had not issued a formal comment regarding the pastor`s departure. Maya Wang, the deputy Asia director at Human Rights Watch, welcomed the news of the pastor`s release but highlighted that the issue of detention persists for other members of the congregation. Wang noted on social media that at least eight members of the Zion Church remain in custody in China, adding that they should also be freed.
