human rightsSunday, July 5, 20268 sources

China Releases Underground Church Pastor Ezra Jin Mingri After Trump's Intervention

Pastor Ezra Jin Mingri, founder of the Zion Church, was released from detention in China following a direct plea from U.S. President Donald Trump to Chinese leader Xi Jinping. His family reported his arrival in the United States, marking a significant moment in the ongoing tensions over religious freedom.

Pastor Ezra Jin Mingri was detained in October 2026 as part of a large-scale crackdown on underground churches in China. He was among 17 other church leaders arrested during this operation. His release came nearly two months after Trump raised his case with Xi Jinping during a visit to Beijing. The move was widely reported across multiple international outlets, with some describing it as a hopeful sign for religious freedom.

Timelines

Sources

PublicDeutsche WelleJul 5, 01:21 PM
China frees pastor after Trump raised case with Xi

China has released the pastor of a prominent underground church after US President Donald Trump pressed his case with Chinese leader Xi Jinping. His family hailed the move as a hopeful sign for religious freedom.

IndependentAl JazeeraJul 5, 12:54 PM
China releases underground church pastor after months in detention

Ezra Jin’s family says the Zion Church founder arrived in the US after months in detention in China.

IndependentNew York TimesJul 5, 12:40 PM
China Frees Pastor Detained in Crackdown on Religion After Trump’s Urging

Ezra Jin Mingri was released nearly two months after President Trump raised his case with China’s leader, Xi Jinping, during a visit to Beijing.

PublicNPRJul 5, 12:30 PM
Pastor freed from prison in China weeks after Trump requested his release

A pastor of a prominent underground church who was detained in China in October has been released, less than two months after U.S. President Donald Trump brought up his case when meeting Chinese leader Xi Jinping.

PublicBBC WorldJul 5, 09:58 AM
Chinese underground church figure Jin Mingri freed from prison

The Zion Church founder's release comes after a direct plea to Xi Jinping from Donald Trump.

PublicChannel News AsiaJul 5, 09:53 AM
Pastor freed from prison in China weeks after US President Donald Trump requested his release

Pastor Ezra Jin Mingri was detained with 17 other church leaders in October in one of China’s largest crackdowns on a single church in decades.

IndependentThe HinduJul 5, 07:21 AM
Pastor freed from prison in China weeks after Trump requested his release

A pastor of a prominent underground church detained in China in October has been released, according to rights advocates

IndependentThe GuardianJul 5, 05:40 AM
Founder of prominent underground church released from prison in China

Ezra Jin, founder of Zion Church, lands in the US and reunites with family who are ‘overwhelmed with joy’ The founder of one of China’s most prominent underground churches has been released from prison and reunited with his family in the United States. Ezra Jin, the founder of Zion Church, landed in the US on Friday evening. He was one of dozens of church members who were detained in a sweeping crackdown on Christians in October. Continue reading...