Family members of Ezra Jin, a pastor currently detained in China, hold onto hope that President Donald Trump can assist in securing his release during an upcoming trip to Beijing. This sentiment comes amid escalating crackdowns by the Chinese Communist Party on Christian congregations. The New York Post reports that Jin was arrested in October when authorities intensified their efforts against underground religious leaders.
Grace Jin Drexel, Ezra’s daughter and a U.S. citizen residing in Washington, D.C., expressed a hopeful outlook after learning Trump intends to raise her father’s case with Chinese President Xi Jinping. “This president has just a remarkable way of doing things that most people say are impossible,” she said. “If anyone, this president might be able to bring back my father.” With her pregnancy nearing its due date, her desire for a reunion weighs heavily. She wishes to see her father back home before the arrival of her child.
On October 10, 2025, the Chinese government launched a series of coordinated raids targeting underground Christian leaders. Pastor Ezra Jin was among many arrested under the charge of “inciting to subvert state power.” His family’s accounts detail that Jin is enduring difficult conditions in prison—a formidable situation that underscores the dangers faced by religious leaders in China. Nearly thirty other leaders and members of Jin’s congregation, the Zion Church, were also apprehended or reported missing around the same time.
Ezra Jin’s faith journey is significant. After converting to Christianity amid the Tiananmen Square protests in 1989, he became an influential figure in the house church movement within China. He studied at Fuller Theological Seminary in California before returning to establish Zion Church in 2007. Due to government actions, the church had to transition its activities online after authorities raided their physical location in 2018. Despite these challenges, they managed to grow, drawing in around 10,000 participants through platforms like YouTube, Zoom, and WeChat.
Efforts for Jin’s release are not without support. The Christian Post highlighted that Secretary of State Marco Rubio and several elected officials have publicly called on the Chinese government to release him. This advocacy reflects the broader concern regarding religious freedom in China and the treatment of its underground churches.
As Trump prepares for his visit, the Jin family’s hope remains palpable. The anticipation hangs in the air as Grace Jin Drexel emphasizes the personal stakes, “It’s like this baby has kind of walked through it all with us since the beginning.” The urgency of their situation serves as a reminder of the ongoing struggle for religious freedom in many parts of the world, spotlighting the importance of international dialogue and action regarding human rights issues.
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