Chinese Underground Church Leader Released, Reunites With Family
WHO:
NY Post - Ezra Jin Mingri arrived in Los Angeles and is finally reunited with his family.
CNN - Ezra Jin, founder of Zion Church
CNN - Grace Jin Drexel, daughter of Ezra Jin
CNN - President Trump
CNN - Xi Jinping, Chinese leader
CNN - Brian Tronic, director of Freedom House’s Free Them All Program
CNN - Rev. Dr. Bob Fu, president of ChinaAid
WHAT:
CNN - Grace Jin Drexel expressed, “We are feeling so overwhelmed with joy. We thank God for this tremendous miracle,” in a family statement regarding her father's release.
CNN - Human rights groups urged the Trump administration to do more for other detained church members, emphasizing that Jin's release should not overshadow the plight of those still imprisoned.
CNN - Rev. Dr. Bob Fu called for the Trump administration to prioritize religious freedom and the release of all prisoners of faith in future engagements with Beijing.
BBC News - Jin's release comes after a direct plea to Xi Jinping from Trump.
CNN - Grace Jin Drexel stated, “We also thank President Trump and his administration for their tremendous leadership,” emphasizing that Jin's release could not have happened “without the direct intervention from Chairman Xi Jinping.”
CNN - Brian Tronic, director of Freedom House’s Free Them All Program, noted that while Jin’s release will bring comfort, “we cannot forget the leaders and members of Zion Church who remain detained, and others associated with the church who still face serious criminal charges.”
CNN - Rev. Dr. Bob Fu, president of ChinaAid, called Jin’s release “a tremendous victory,” but stated that work remains “until every prisoner of faith is free.”
CNN - Ezra Jin was released from prison and reunited with his family in the United States.
CNN - Jin was among dozens of members caught up in a crackdown by Chinese authorities.
CNN - Jin founded Zion Church in Beijing in 2007.
CNN - Jin's release was described as a "tremendous miracle" by his daughter.
CNN - Human rights groups welcomed Jin’s return but called for further action regarding other detained church members.
WHERE:
NY Post - Jin arrived in Los Angeles, California.
CNN - Zion Church, Beijing, China
CNN - United States
WHEN:
ABC News US - Jin was detained in China in October.
CNN - Jin's family lost contact with him in October last year.
CNN - President Trump raised Jin's case with Xi Jinping during a visit to Beijing in May.
WHY:
BBC News - Jin's release is seen as a response to Trump's request.
CNN - Drexel expressed hope that Jin’s release would be “a signal of a positive turn for people of faith in China and relations between our two nations.”
CNN - Chinese authorities view Christianity as an unwelcome foreign influence and a threat to government control.
CNN - Jin and his family moved to the US to appease Chinese authorities amid a crackdown on unregistered churches.
HOW:
ABC News US - Jin's release followed a request made by Trump.
CNN - Jin's release followed a direct plea from President Trump to Xi Jinping.
(UPDATED July 5, 2026 13:19 UTC)
Grace Jin Drexel expressed overwhelming joy and gratitude for her father's release, calling it a tremendous miracle in a family statement. Meanwhile, human rights groups are urging the Trump administration to take further action for other detained church members, stressing that Jin's release should not overshadow the ongoing plight of those still imprisoned. Rev. Dr. Bob Fu has also called on the Trump administration to prioritize religious freedom and advocate for the release of all prisoners of faith in future discussions with Beijing.
--
(UPDATED July 5, 2026 11:24 UTC)
Ezra Jin Mingri has arrived in Los Angeles, California, and is finally reunited with his family after being detained in China since October. His release comes following a direct plea to Xi Jinping from Trump, who made a request for Jin's freedom. This development is being viewed as a response to that request, marking a significant moment for Jin and his loved ones.
--
(UPDATED July 5, 2026 09:47 UTC)
Grace Jin Drexel expressed gratitude towards President Trump and his administration for their leadership, highlighting that her release was made possible through the direct intervention of Chairman Xi Jinping. While Brian Tronic from Freedom House acknowledged that Jin's release is a source of comfort, he reminded everyone that many leaders and members of Zion Church remain detained and face serious charges. Rev. Dr. Bob Fu of ChinaAid celebrated Jin's release as a significant victory, but emphasized that the fight continues until every prisoner of faith is free, hoping it signals a positive change for people of faith in China and improves relations between the two nations.
--
(UPDATED July 5, 2026 07:56 UTC)
Ezra Jin, the founder of Zion Church, has been released from prison and reunited with his family in the United States, a moment his daughter described as a "tremendous miracle." Jin was among many members affected by a crackdown by Chinese authorities, who view Christianity as a threat to government control, and his release came after President Trump raised his case with Chinese leader Xi Jinping during a visit to Beijing in May. Human rights groups have welcomed Jin's return but are calling for further action regarding other detained church members.