BEIJING/LOS ANGELES — Pastor Ezra Jin Mingri, founder of Beijing's influential underground Zion Church, has been released from detention in China and has safely arrived in the United States following months of imprisonment.

Jin was arrested alongside 17 other church leaders during a sweeping crackdown on the unregistered house church in late 2025. His detention drew widespread concern from international religious freedom advocates, who viewed the arrests as one of the largest actions against a single underground church in recent years.

According to Christian human rights organization ChinaAid, Pastor Jin arrived in Los Angeles on July 4 after what it described as an extraordinary diplomatic effort that secured his release. The organization welcomed his freedom while calling on Chinese authorities to release all remaining prisoners detained because of their faith.

Pastor Jin founded Zion Church in 2007 after leaving China's state-sanctioned Protestant church. Despite government restrictions, the congregation grew rapidly, reportedly drawing around 10,000 worshippers each week through in-person gatherings and online ministry before authorities intensified their crackdown.

Although Pastor Jin is now reunited with his family in the United States, rights advocates say several members of Zion Church remain in detention. Religious freedom organizations continue to urge the Chinese government to release those still imprisoned and to respect the right to worship freely.

Call to Prayer

As we thank God for Pastor Ezra Jin Mingri's release, let us remember that many believers in China continue to face persecution for their faith. The global Church is called to "remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison" (Hebrews 13:3).

Let us pray for courage and protection for Christians across China, for the release of those who remain imprisoned because of their faith, for wisdom and strength for church leaders serving under pressure, and that the Gospel of Jesus Christ will continue to spread despite persecution. May God strengthen His Church in China and use the faithfulness of His people to bring hope, salvation, and revival to the nation.