China frees jailed pastor Ezra Jin after Trump intervention

Pastor Ezra Jin, the founder of China's unregistered Zion Church, has been released from detention after being held since October 2025. His release was confirmed by his church and family on July 5, following reports that U.S. President Donald Trump had raised his case with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Jin, also known by his Chinese name Mingri, was detained along with other church members on suspicion of illegal use of information networks. Trump had previously discussed Jin's case with Xi during a visit in May, with the Chinese president reportedly agreeing to "strongly consider" his release. Rights group ChinaAid stated that Jin arrived in Los Angeles on July 4, with Chinese officials allegedly presenting his release as a goodwill gesture coinciding with American Independence Day.

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We thank God for this tremendous miracle. We hope this is a signal of a positive turn for people of faith in China and relations between our two nations.

Jin's daughter, Grace, expressed profound gratitude for the "tremendous miracle" of her father's release. She conveyed hope that this event signals a positive shift for people of faith in China and for relations between the two nations. Her statement specifically thanked President Trump and his administration for their "tremendous leadership" in advocating for her father's freedom.

China's ruling Communist Party has historically viewed organized religion with suspicion, and under President Xi, has intensified its scrutiny of unofficial religious groups. Recent months have seen crackdowns on unregistered churches, including raids and detentions of leaders. Despite Jin's release, eight other Zion Church members detained in October remain in custody. Zion Church, founded in Beijing in 2007, grew to 1,500 members before being forced to shutter in 2018, though it maintained a significant online presence.

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The Chinese President would “strongly consider” releasing him.