• Pastor Jin Mingri of the Zion Church was released from detention in China and has arrived in Los Angeles.
• The U.S. President Donald Trump advocated for his release during talks with Xi Jinping.
• ChinaAid confirmed Jin's release but noted that eight other church members remain detained.
• The detention of Jin and other church leaders has heightened concerns about religious freedom in China.
• Jin's family expressed gratitude, stating they witnessed a miracle and hope for future improvements in religious relations.

Pastor Jin Mingri, a leading figure of the underground Zion Church, has been released from prison in China and arrived in Los Angeles on July 4, 2026. His detention, which began in October 2025, was part of a significant crackdown on religious groups in the country, triggering international concern over religious freedom. The release follows U.S. President Donald Trump's direct intervention during a meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, where he advocated for Jin's freedom, according to Channel News Asia and Reuters.

Jin was detained along with 18 other church leaders amid what has been described as one of the most severe crackdowns on religious expression in China's recent history. The Chinese government, known for its strict control over religious practices, has increasingly targeted unregistered churches. Jin's daughter, Grace, confirmed that despite his release, there are still eight members of the Zion Church currently detained in China, highlighting ongoing concerns surrounding religious persecution in the nation, as reported by BBC and Reuters.

Upon his release, Jin and his family expressed immense gratitude, stating they witnessed "a miracle" and thanked President Trump for his role in securing his release. They emphasized that Jin’s release could signal a possible positive shift for people of faith in China and indicated a hopeful outlook for future U.S.-China relations regarding religious freedom. Jin's case gained significant media traction after Trump specifically raised it with Xi during his state visit, suggesting that high-level diplomatic engagement can influence human rights outcomes, according to Channel News Asia and BBC.

The Zion Church, founded by Jin in 2007, grew rapidly before facing severe governmental pressure that led to its official ban in 2018. Many congregations associated with the church have since been shut down, illustrating the ongoing repression faced by religious groups in China. While Jin's release is a positive development, the detention of his fellow church members remains a troubling reminder of the challenges facing religious practitioners in China today, as noted by Reuters and BBC.