A pastor from one of China's most prominent unregistered churches just landed in Los Angeles, reuniting with his family after a rather swift release from detention. The timing? Less than two months after former U.S. President Donald Trump reportedly brought up his case with Chinese leader Xi Jinping.
Pastor Ezra Jin Mingri was among 18 leaders of the Zion Church detained in October. This wasn't a minor incident; it was one of the largest crackdowns on a single church in China in decades, sparking serious alarms about the government's tightening grip on religious freedom.
His family, understandably relieved, credited the quick release to Trump's intervention and Xi's direct involvement. They're now hoping this signals a shift for people of faith in China and perhaps even a thaw in U.S.-China relations. Because apparently, that's where we are now: international diplomacy hinging on a whispered word about a pastor.
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Start Your News DetoxTrump mentioned Jin's case after a state visit to Beijing in May, telling reporters he'd raised the detentions of both Pastor Jin and Hong Kong activist Jimmy Lai with Xi. Trump claimed Xi would "strongly consider the pastor," though Xi apparently noted Lai's case "would be a tough one." Lai, a 78-year-old media mogul whose tabloid was critical of Beijing, was sentenced to 20 years in February. Some things, it seems, are harder to un-stir.
While Jin's release is certainly welcome news, activists were quick to point out that it's not a blanket pardon. At least eight other members of Zion Church remain in custody, reminding everyone that this particular story isn't over yet.
The Zion Church is one of China's largest "house churches" — congregations that operate outside the state-controlled system. China's ruling Communist Party is officially atheist and views organized religion with a wary eye, seeing it as a potential challenge to its authority. Under Xi, the push has been to "Sinicize" religion, which is a polite way of saying: demand loyalty to the party, or else.
Jin's daughter, Grace Jin Drexel, who lives in the U.S., told a congressional committee that her father started Zion Church simply to worship freely, with God as its sole head. Jin had brought his family to the U.S. after authorities targeted the church in 2018, but despite the risks, he chose to return to China. His daughter hadn't seen him in six years until now. Talk about a long-awaited reunion.
