Eight Zion Church Leaders Remain Detained Following Pastor Jin's Release

Pastor Ezra Jin Mingri, founder of the unregistered Zion Church in China, was released from detention on July 3, 2026, following nine months of imprisonment. His release reportedly followed diplomatic intervention by U.S. President Donald Trump during a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in May. While advocates view the release as a positive development, observers note that it has not signaled a broader shift in the Chinese government's approach toward independent religious congregations.

Eight other leaders from Zion Church—Wang Lin, Yin Huibin, Wang Cong, Lin Shucheng, Liu Zhenbin, Gao Yingjia, Elder Wang Zhong, and Wu Qiuyu—remain in custody. These individuals face charges related to their church's operations and the use of information networks, stemming from their efforts to conduct worship outside of state-sanctioned religious systems. Zion Church has faced sustained pressure from authorities since 2018, including the closure of its Beijing facilities and ongoing surveillance. Following his release, Pastor Jin has encouraged continued international advocacy for the remaining detainees and for the broader protection of religious freedom in China.