Ezra Jin, the founder of Zion Church, one of China’s most prominent underground Christian congregations, was released from prison and arrived in the United States on Friday evening. Jin had been detained in October as part of a broader crackdown on Christian groups operating outside government oversight. His family issued a statement expressing gratitude, crediting both divine intervention and the efforts of the Trump administration in securing his release.
Jin’s case was elevated during a presidential visit to Beijing in May, when US officials raised the matter with Chinese leadership. Jin’s daughter, Grace Jin Drexel, testified before Congress in November regarding her father’s detention, and President Trump subsequently pledged to advocate for Jin’s case in diplomatic discussions. The release marks an uncommon instance of China permitting one of its citizens to depart following US government advocacy, with comparisons drawn to the 2024 release of American pastor David Lin after two decades of imprisonment.
Zion Church was established in 2007 and operated a physical location in Beijing until 2018, when authorities forced its closure. The congregation subsequently transitioned to online services, which expanded its reach to thousands of members. The church represents part of China’s underground Christian movement, as Christianity in the country is legal only when practiced in state-approved institutions. Government estimates place China’s Christian population at 44 million, though independent assessments suggest the number may reach approximately 130 million when including unregistered believers.
China has intensified enforcement actions against house churches in recent months. In January, members of Early Rain church, another prominent underground group, were detained. An additional raid on an Early Rain gathering in Sichuan province in June resulted in reports of over 30 individuals being questioned by police. Several members of Zion Church remain in custody, with nine members having their cases transferred to prosecutors on charges including illegal business operations and fraud, while nine others were released on bail pending trial.
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