The release of a prominent Chinese house church pastor is giving thanks to God around the world—and reminding the Church that many faithful believers remain imprisoned under the Chinese Communist Party. After months of prayer and diplomatic efforts, Pastor Ezra Jin Mingri is finally reunited with his family, but he is urging Christians not to forget those still suffering for their faith.
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From CBN News:
Last week he issued a tearful plea. “Here I am free in the United States, with such a warm welcome,” he said. “So I want to make a special appeal. Please do not forget the many others who are still detained.”
Pastor Jin led one of China’s most influential underground churches. He was arrested along with eight fellow church members and Christian pastors from other churches for refusing to align with the Chinese Communist government.
“Beyond the eight, many other outstanding pastors from Chinese churches are still in jail,” he said. “I hope we can continue our efforts to gain their freedom. For those who can speak, speak. Those who can act, act. Those who can pray, pray.”
Pastor Jin’s release comes after months of international advocacy. According to CBN News, President Donald Trump raised his case directly with Chinese President Xi Jinping during talks in May. Sen. Dick Durbin also thanked President Trump this week for helping secure the pastor’s freedom while urging continued pressure on the Chinese government to release other imprisoned Christians. ChinaAid founder Bob Fu likewise expressed gratitude to President Trump, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and other U.S. officials for their efforts.
This story also has special significance for the IFA family. Earlier this year, Pastor Jin’s daughter, Grace Jin Drexel, joined Pray with America’s Leaders to share her father’s story and ask IFA intercessors to pray for his release. Thousands responded by lifting Pastor Jin before the Lord and asking God to intervene on his behalf. Today, we can celebrate his freedom as a powerful answer to prayer while remembering that many other pastors and believers remain behind bars in China. Let’s thank God for His faithfulness and continue praying until every imprisoned Christian is free.
Scripture repeatedly calls us to remember those who suffer for their faith “as though in prison with them” (Hebrews 13:3). Pastor Jin himself echoed that biblical command, urging those who can speak to speak, those who can act to act, and those who can pray to pray. Let’s continue standing with our persecuted brothers and sisters, asking the Lord to strengthen them, soften the hearts of government leaders, and open the prison doors for those still unjustly detained.
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(Excerpt from CBN. Photo Credit: Hao Liang/Pexels via Canva Teams)
