Miracle of Freedom: The Story of Ezra Jin and the Underground Church Movement in China
The founder of a prominent underground church in China, Ezra Jin, has been released from prison and reunited with his family in the United States. Jin, who founded Zion Church, arrived in the US after being detained in a crackdown on Christians in China. His family expressed gratitude for his release and credited it as a miracle, thanking God and President Trump for their support.
China's ministry of foreign affairs did not immediately comment on Jin's release, which is a rare occurrence of China releasing one of its citizens, possibly due to lobbying from the US. President Trump had raised Jin's case during his visit to Beijing, indicating that China's president, Xi Jinping, was considering releasing jailed pastors. Jin's wife and children, who are in the US, had appealed to the US government and Trump for his release, with his daughter testifying before congress.
Jin, a key figure in China's underground church movement, founded Zion Church in 2007. While Christianity is legal in China, worship is restricted to government-controlled churches. Many Christians opt to worship in underground groups like Zion, also known as "house churches." The government estimates there are 44 million Christians in China, but other sources suggest the number could be as high as 130 million, including unregistered believers.
In recent years, China has intensified its crackdown on house churches, detaining members of prominent groups like Early Rain church. Despite Jin's release, several members of Zion Church remain in detention, with some facing charges of illegal business operations and fraud. The church had to move to online sermons after its physical location in Beijing was forced to close in 2018, allowing them to reach thousands of members.
In conclusion, Ezra Jin's release from prison and reunion with his family in the US marks a significant moment for the underground church movement in China. The support from his family, the US government, and President Trump played a crucial role in securing his freedom. The challenges faced by house churches in China highlight the ongoing struggle for religious freedom in the country.