Ezra Jin, 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 as part of a broad crackdown on Christian believers in October that affected dozens of church members.
Jin’s family released a statement expressing gratitude for his release, which they characterized as a significant development. They acknowledged the role of the Trump administration in securing his freedom. China’s foreign ministry did not provide an immediate response to inquiries about the matter.
The release represents an uncommon instance of China releasing one of its citizens following pressure from the United States government. President Trump raised Jin’s case during a visit to Beijing in May, and discussed the matter with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Jin’s family, including his wife and children who reside in the United States, had conducted an extended campaign to secure his release, with his daughter testifying before Congress in November about his detention.
Jin established Zion Church in 2007. The congregation’s physical location in Beijing was closed by authorities in 2018, after which the group shifted to online services that expanded membership to thousands of participants. Under Chinese law, Christian worship is permitted only in government-regulated churches, leading many believers to participate in unregistered congregations known as house churches or underground churches. The government reported 44 million Christians in the country, though independent estimates suggest significantly higher numbers when including unregistered adherents.
China has intensified enforcement actions against house churches in recent years. Several other members of Zion Church remain in detention, with nine cases transferred to prosecutors on charges including illegal business operations and fraud. Nine additional members were released on bail pending trial. Other prominent underground congregations, including Early Rain church, have also been subject to police operations and detentions.
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