China releases underground church pastor after months in detention
Summary
Pastor Jin Mingri, leader of a large underground Christian church in China, was released after months in detention and arrived in Los Angeles on July 4, 2026. His release followed a wider crackdown on underground churches in China and diplomatic discussions between President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping.Key Facts
- Pastor Jin Mingri, also called Ezra Jin, founded Zion Church in Beijing in 2007.
- Zion Church is one of the biggest underground (unregistered) Christian churches in China.
- Chinese authorities closed the church’s physical building in 2018, but it kept meeting online.
- Jin was detained in October 2025 during a crackdown on underground church leaders.
- Eighteen church leaders, including Jin, were accused of illegally using information networks.
- President Donald Trump raised Jin’s case with Chinese President Xi Jinping in May 2026.
- Jin’s family thanked both President Trump’s administration and President Xi for the release.
- Human Rights Watch said at least eight other Zion Church members are still detained in China.
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