Christian NGO Welcomes Release of Pastor Held in Southern China

ChinaAid, a Christian non-governmental organization, has expressed profound gratitude for the safe release of Zion Church Pastor Jin Mingri. Pastor Jin, who had been held in detention centers in the southern Chinese city of Beihai since October, arrived in Los Angeles on Saturday, July 4, 2026.

Jin was among eighteen leaders of the major underground church arrested last November. They were charged with the crime of "illegally using information networks." Jin's daughter, Grace, confirmed that eight members of the Zion Church are still being detained in China.

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ChinaAid welcomes with profound gratitude the release of imprisoned Chinese house church pastor Ezra Jin, who arrived safely in Los Angeles on July 4, 2026.

ChinaAid's statement, which referred to Jin by his English first name, Ezra, welcomed his arrival. China's foreign ministry had not immediately responded to requests for comment outside of work hours.

According to Grace Jin, U.S. President Donald Trump had personally requested Jin's release from Chinese President Xi Jinping during his visit to Beijing in May. A separate family statement shared with Reuters indicated optimism, stating, "We know that this could not have happened without the direct intervention from Chairman Xi Jinping. We hope this is a signal of a positive turn for people of faith in China and relations between our two nations."

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We know that this could not have happened without the direct intervention from Chairman Xi Jinping. We hope this is a signal of a positive turn for people of faith in China and relations between our two nations.