Chinese Pastor Ezra Jin Released and Arrives in U.S.; Most Other Detained Zion Church Members Remain in Custody

Ezra Jin Mingri, founder of Beijing’s Zion Church, arrived in Los Angeles on July 4 and reunited with family members already in the United States. Chinese authorities detained Jin in October 2025 along with 17 other church leaders in one of the largest actions against a single unregistered congregation in recent years.

The church, founded in 2007, grew into one of China’s largest independent Protestant groups before authorities banned it in 2018.

President Trump raised Jin’s case with Chinese President Xi Jinping during a state visit to Beijing in May. Trump also discussed the imprisonment of Hong Kong activist Jimmy Lai, who is serving a 20-year sentence on charges including conspiring with foreign forces.

Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One after the visit that Xi said he would “strongly consider the pastor” and was giving the matter “very serious consideration,” while describing Lai’s case as more difficult.

Jin’s family stated that the release occurred promptly and could not have happened without direct intervention from Xi Jinping. The family thanked the Trump administration and expressed hope that the development signals improved conditions for people of faith in China and better relations between the two nations.

” She had previously told a congressional committee that her father established Zion Church to allow worship with God as its sole head.

Bob Fu of ChinaAid thanked Trump, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and other U.S. officials for securing the release. Brian Tronic of Freedom House noted that other Zion Church members remain detained and face charges.

The Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China said it was overjoyed at the outcome.