Pastor Ezra Jin Mingri, founder of one of China's largest underground churches, is finally free after months behind bars in what supporters are calling nothing short of a miracle.
The 56-year-old pastor was released from a Chinese detention center following what ChinaAid described as an extraordinary diplomatic arrangement reportedly discussed between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping during Trump's visit to China in May. Chinese officials allegedly told Jin that his release was a goodwill gesture timed to coincide with America's Independence Day.
Jin arrived safely in Los Angeles on July 4, prompting an outpouring of celebration from Christians and religious freedom advocates worldwide.
Jin was arrested in October 2025 alongside 17 other church leaders during one of the Chinese government's largest crackdowns on a single house church in recent years. Authorities targeted Zion Church, the influential underground congregation Jin founded in 2007.
Despite operating outside China's state-approved church system, Zion Church had grown into one of the country's largest house church networks, attracting an estimated 10,000 online worshipers each week while overseeing more than 100 worship gatherings across 40 cities.
His arrest intensified concerns about Beijing's ongoing campaign against unregistered Christian congregations.
According to Open Doors' 2026 World Watch List, China ranks among the world's most difficult places for Christians, with house church leaders facing particular pressure from the Chinese Communist Party. The organization estimates there are more than 96 million Christians in China, many of whom worship outside government-controlled churches.
Open Doors says pastors, youth ministry leaders, and Christians from Muslim or Buddhist backgrounds are especially vulnerable to surveillance, harassment, and imprisonment.
ChinaAid hailed Jin's release as an extraordinary breakthrough, noting that Chinese authorities reportedly linked the decision directly to discussions between Trump and Xi.
"His unexpected freedom is an answer to countless prayers offered by Christians around the world and demonstrates once again that sustained international advocacy can save lives and restore freedom," the organization said.
Jin's daughter, Grace Jin Drexel, said the family was overwhelmed after witnessing what they described as a miracle.
"Thank you so much for everyone's support and prayers since the beginning. We truly witnessed a miracle and we are feeling so overwhelmed with joy. We thank God for this tremendous miracle," she said.
Grace also expressed gratitude to President Trump and his administration, saying she believes the breakthrough would not have happened without the direct involvement of Chinese President Xi Jinping.
ChinaAid founder and President Rev. Dr. Bob Fu likewise celebrated the pastor's release, calling it "a remarkable Independence Day miracle."
"We rejoice with Pastor Ezra Jin, his family, and the global Body of Christ on this remarkable Independence Day miracle," Fu said. "We thank Almighty God for hearing the prayers of His people. We are deeply grateful to President Donald Trump, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and all U.S. officials who worked tirelessly behind the scenes to secure Pastor Jin's freedom."
Fu added that their "unwavering commitment demonstrates that principled leadership and persistent diplomacy can make a life-saving difference."
While celebrating Jin's freedom, Fu urged the Trump administration to continue pressing Beijing for the release of other imprisoned believers.
He noted that eight additional pastors and coworkers from Zion Church remain jailed, alongside numerous priests, bishops, house church Christians, Uyghur Muslims, Tibetan Buddhists, Falun Gong practitioners, and other prisoners of conscience.
"We respectfully call on President Trump and his Administration to continue making religious freedom and the release of all prisoners of faith a top priority in every engagement with Beijing," Fu said. "True progress in U.S.-China relations must include freedom for those imprisoned simply because they choose to believe."
For Christians who had spent months praying for the imprisoned pastor, Jin's release has become a powerful reminder that hope can endure even amid persecution-and that persistent prayer, diplomatic engagement, and international advocacy can sometimes achieve what once seemed impossible.
