Source: www.csw.org.uk
Date: July 25, 2026
Praise God for an answer to prayer!
Pastor Ezra Jin Mingri, the senior pastor of Zion Church, was released on 4 July after nearly nine months in prison.
Pastor Jin was detained in October as part of a shocking crackdown on Zion Church — one of the largest unregistered churches in China. It was a coordinated operation, with 28 church leaders detained in raids spanning 11 cities across the country. Eighteen of them were later formally arrested on charges of ‘illegally using information networks’.
After months in detention, nine of the leaders were released on bail on 18 June. But nine were still being held, including Pastor Jin.
It seemed as if the remaining detainees had been, or were about to be, transferred to face prosecution. The charges against them had reportedly been changed to ‘illegal business operations’ and ‘fraud’.
Then on 4 July, Pastor Jin was released from prison and transported to the United States, where he was reunited with his family. Reports indicate that his release followed high-level discussions between the Chinese and US governments.
As we give thanks for Pastor Jin's release, we remember those who are still separated from their families and church communities. While one pastor is free, other Zion Church leaders are still in prison or on bail, facing charges they do not deserve. Please stand with them in prayer.
We also remember many others who are still imprisoned in China for peacefully exercising their fundamental rights — people like Pastor Wang Yi of Early Rain Covenant Church, and Christian human rights defender Zhang Zhan.
As you pray today, take a moment to read Psalm 146, which reminds us of God’s faithfulness and his power to save:
‘He upholds the cause of the oppressed and gives food to the hungry. The Lord sets prisoners free…’