Chinese underground church leader Jin Mingri has been released from prison and arrived in the US, sparking fresh discussions about religious freedom, US-China relations, and the future of faith communities in China.

A major development has emerged for the Chinese underground church community after Pastor Jin Mingri, also known as Ezra Jin, was released from prison in China and safely arrived in Los Angeles, United States. His release comes less than two months after U.S. President Donald Trump reportedly raised the issue directly with Chinese President Xi Jinping during talks in Beijing.

Jin is the founder of Zion Church, one of the most well-known unregistered Christian congregations in China. Founded in 2007 with only 20 members, the church grew into a network of around 10,000 worshippers across 40 cities, becoming a prominent part of China's underground Christian movement.

A Release That Has Drawn International Attention

Rights organization ChinaAid confirmed that Jin arrived in Los Angeles on July 4, 2026, following his release. His family expressed gratitude and relief after years of uncertainty surrounding his detention.

“We truly witnessed a miracle and we are feeling overwhelmed with joy,” Jin’s family said in a statement.

The family also thanked both the Trump administration and Xi Jinping, saying the pastor's freedom would not have been possible without high-level intervention. The Chinese Foreign Ministry has not yet publicly commented on the case.

Why Was Jin Mingri Detained?

Jin and other Zion Church leaders were detained during a nationwide crackdown on religious groups in late 2025. Authorities accused several church leaders of illegally using information networks.

The underground church in China has often faced pressure because the government requires religious groups to register with state-approved organizations. Zion Church resisted government demands, including a request to install surveillance cameras at its Beijing facilities. As a result, authorities shut down the church's physical location in 2018.

Despite the closure, the church continued operating online and maintained connections with thousands of followers.

Are More Church Members Still Behind Bars?

While many supporters celebrated Jin's release, human rights groups emphasized that the situation remains unresolved for others. ChinaAid and Human Rights Watch noted that several Zion Church members remain detained. Maya Wang of Human Rights Watch stated that at least eight members of the church are still in custody and should also be released.

As Business Fortune observes, diplomatic relations between Washington and Beijing continues to evolve and observers will be watching closely to see whether Jin's release marks an isolated decision or the beginning of broader changes for religious groups across China.

 

FAQs

Who is Jin Mingri?

Jin Mingri, also known as Ezra Jin, is the founder and pastor of Zion Church, one of China's largest unregistered Christian churches.

Why was Jin Mingri imprisoned?

He was detained during a wider crackdown on religious groups, with authorities accusing church leaders of illegally using information networks.

What is Zion Church?

Zion Church is a large Christian congregation founded in Beijing in 2007 that operated outside China's state-approved religious system.

Did Donald Trump play a role in Jin's release?

According to Jin's family, Trump raised the pastor's case directly with Chinese President Xi Jinping during a visit to Beijing in May 2026.

Are other Zion Church members still detained?

Yes. Human rights organizations report that at least eight Zion Church members remain in custody and continue to face detention in China.