Full Breakdown
Ezra Jin Mingri Released After U.S.–China Appeal
7/5/2026, 1:33:23 PM
Release of Ezra Jin Mingri After U.S.–China Diplomatic Appeal
Founder and pastor Ezra Jin Mingri of the underground Zion Church was freed from Chinese detention and arrived in Los Angeles on July 4, 2026. The release followed President Donald Trump’s May meeting with Xi Jinping, during which Trump said he had raised Jin’s case. The family thanked the leaders for the “miracle.”
Background
Zion Church, founded in Beijing in 2007, grew to about 1,500 members before closing in 2018 after refusing to install security cameras, then moved online to reach 10,000 followers. In October 2025, Chinese authorities raided homes and churches, detaining Jin and 17 leaders on suspicion of illegal use of information networks, part of a crackdown on unregistered churches. Jin’s daughter Grace Jin Drexel, a U.S. Senate staffer, and ChinaAid and Freedom House have called for his release.
Official Statements and Responses
After the May talks, Trump told reporters that Xi “is going to strongly consider the pastor.” The family called the release “a miracle” and a possible “signal of a positive turn for people of faith in China and relations between our two nations.” Chinese officials described it as a goodwill gesture timed with U.S. Independence Day. ChinaAid called it a “tremendous victory,” while Freedom House warned that other detained members must not be forgotten.
Criticism and Opposition
Eight to nine Zion Church members remain incarcerated on charges ranging from illegal business operations to fraud. Bob Fu urged the Trump administration to keep “religious freedom and the release of all prisoners of faith” high on its agenda. Freedom House’s Brian Tronic warned the release should not eclipse broader persecution of underground churches. U.S. congressional resolutions have called for continued pressure on Beijing to free additional detainees, including Jimmy Lai.
Conflicting Reports and Gaps
A Guardian report from June says nine members, “including Jin,” were transferred to prosecutors, contradicting sources that say Jin was released in July. Reports differ on how many Zion Church detainees remain—some cite eight, others nine. Charges against Jin are described as “illegal use of information networks” or “illegal business operations and fraud.”
Verbatim Quotes
- “We truly witnessed a miracle and we are feeling so overwhelmed with joy.” — Grace Jin Drexel, daughter
- “We also thank President Trump and his administration for their tremendous leadership,” — Grace Jin Drexel
- “until every prisoner of faith is free.” — Bob Fu, ChinaAid
- “He said he's gonna strongly consider the pastor,” — Donald Trump (as reported)
What’s Next
Advocacy groups urge the U.S. administration to embed religious-freedom concerns in future China engagements. Congress will monitor the remaining Zion Church detainees, and human-rights groups document crackdowns on unregistered churches.
