'The party is in charge of everything,' freed pastor says of China's crackdown on religion

Recently, China took an unusual step by releasing Pastor Ezra Jin Mingri, one of dozens of Christians targeted by the Chinese Communist Party. Pastor Jin was detained last October, along with others, as the party only authorizes authorized churches to serve China's estimated 80 million Christians. In May, President Trump personally raised Jin's case during meetings with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, which led to his release after 266 days in detention.

Pastor Jin, known as Pastor Jin Mingri, was apprehended in October, alongside numerous Christians, by Chinese authorities. He is one of many Christians targeted by the Chinese Communist Party, which permits only authorized churches to serve China's estimated 80 million Christians. Last October, Jin was one of many Christians detained by Chinese authorities. President Trump intervened, requesting Jin's release from Chinese leader Xi Jinping.

Pastor Jin was detained in an underground church in Beijing, where he and his congregation practiced their faith clandestinely. He was imprisoned due to his defense of the rights of other churches and refusal to install facial recognition cameras, which led to his second detention. In May, President Trump expressed his intention to consider Jin's case during meetings with Xi. After 266 days of confinement, Jin was finally released into the arms of his daughter, Grace Jin.

Grace Jin, Pastor Jin's daughter, had not seen her father for six years since his detention. She described the shock and disbelief upon learning of his release, emphasizing the global pressure to change China's policies and decisions. Pastor Jin explained the harsh conditions of his detention, including cramped living spaces and restricted communications.

He further elaborated on the totalitarian nature of Chinese society, where the party holds absolute control over various aspects of life, including religious beliefs and ethnic minorities.

Despite the release of Pastor Jin, eight Zion Church leaders remain imprisoned, leaving their families desperate for international assistance. Grace Jin had previously led a rally in Washington, D.C., advocating for the release of detained Chinese Christians. Her father's imprisonment had caused immense distress, as he faced up to 15 years in prison, and the impending birth of their baby added to the emotional turmoil.