Chinese Underground Church Leader Jin Mingri Freed from Prison

New Delhi, India Jul 5, 2026 ALN: Underground church leader Jin Mingri has been released from prison in China and has traveled to the US, less than two months after his incarceration was raised directly by Donald Trump. This development marks a significant moment in the ongoing struggle for religious freedom in China, where the government maintains strict control over religious practices and institutions.

The pastor and founder of the Zion Church, Jin Mingri, was imprisoned following a series of overnight raids across China in October 2023. These raids have been described by various Christian groups as one of the most severe crackdowns on religious activity in the country’s modern history. The Chinese government has been known to conduct such operations against unregistered churches, which are often viewed as a challenge to the authority of the Communist Party.

China’s approach to religion is characterized by tight controls, with the state officially promoting atheism. The government recognizes only five religions: Buddhism, Taoism, Islam, Catholicism, and Protestantism, but even these are subject to strict regulations and oversight. Religious organizations must register with the government and are required to adhere to state-sanctioned doctrines. This has led to the emergence of underground churches, such as the Zion Church, which operate outside of government regulations and often face persecution.

Jin's family expressed their gratitude to supporters in a statement, saying, "We truly witnessed a miracle and we are feeling so overwhelmed with joy." This sentiment reflects the relief and hope felt by many in the underground church community following Jin's release. However, the Chinese foreign ministry has not officially commented on his case, which is not uncommon in instances of religious persecution where the government seeks to maintain a narrative of control and stability.

The family also thanked the US president and the Trump administration for their "tremendous leadership," acknowledging that they believed Jin's release was facilitated by direct intervention from Chinese President Xi Jinping. This connection between international diplomacy and human rights issues highlights the complex interplay between global politics and domestic policies in China. The family’s hope that Jin’s release signals a positive turn for people of faith in China and for relations between the US and China underscores the importance of religious freedom as a potential area for diplomatic engagement.

US-based rights group ChinaAid, which monitors religious persecution in China, confirmed that Jin, also known as Ezra Jin, had arrived in Los Angeles following his release. The organization has been active in advocating for the rights of religious practitioners in China, and its founder, Bob Fu, welcomed Jin's release while noting that "countless" religious practitioners, including eight members of the Zion Church, remain incarcerated in China. This statement serves as a reminder that while Jin's release is a cause for celebration, many others continue to suffer under China's repressive regime.

The Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China, a coalition of Western lawmakers that includes dozens of UK MPs, expressed their joy at Jin's release. This reaction illustrates the growing international concern over China's human rights record, particularly regarding religious freedom. Lawmakers around the are increasingly vocal about their opposition to China's treatment of religious minorities and the need for accountability regarding human rights abuses.

During a state visit to Beijing in May, Trump urged Xi to release Jin during direct talks. Following the meeting, Trump stated, "He said he's gonna strongly consider the pastor," highlighting the potential influence of high-level diplomatic discussions on individual cases of human rights abuses. Trump's engagement with Xi on this issue reflects a broader trend in which international leaders are increasingly willing to confront China over its human rights record, particularly in the context of religious freedom.

Jin Mingri founded the Zion Church in 2007, starting with just 20 congregants. Over the years, the church grew into one of China's largest unregistered churches, boasting a network of approximately 10,000 members across 40 cities in the country. The church's rapid expansion and its refusal to comply with government regulations led to its official ban by the Chinese Communist Party in 2018. The government's demand that the church install security cameras at its property in Beijing was a pivotal moment that highlighted the tensions between state control and religious autonomy.

Since the ban, many of the church's branch congregations have faced investigations and closures. The crackdown on the Zion Church is part of a broader trend in which the Chinese government has intensified its efforts to suppress unregistered religious groups. Christians in China have long been pressured to join only state-sanctioned churches, which are led by government-approved pastors and are required to align their teachings with the party line. This restriction on religious expression has led to a significant underground church movement, which continues to face persecution.

In the wake of the October raids, reports indicated that thirty church leaders were detained, reflecting the government's ongoing campaign against religious dissent. This crackdown was followed by a similar operation in January, during which nine individuals associated with another church were also detained. These actions underscore the precarious situation faced by religious practitioners in China, where the government continues to view unregistered churches as a threat to its authority.

The implications of Jin Mingri's release extend beyond his personal circumstances. It raises questions about the future of religious freedom in China and the potential for change in the government's approach to faith-based organizations. While his release is a positive development, it also serves as a reminder of the ongoing struggles faced by countless individuals who remain imprisoned for their beliefs. As international attention continues to focus on human rights issues in China, the hope remains that cases like Jin's will inspire further advocacy and support for those who seek to practice their faith freely.