Pastor Ezra Jin Mingri is free after spending 266 days in a Chinese prison, but his first public message was not about his own suffering. Instead, he called attention to fellow believers who remain behind bars for their faith.
According to The Christian Post, Jin was released last week after authorities dropped all charges against him. The founder of Beijing Zion Church said his freedom has only strengthened his resolve to speak for the Christians still imprisoned in China.
“I Won’t Rest”
In an op-ed published by The Wall Street Journal, Jin described the difficult conditions facing Christians still in custody.
“They are confined in cramped cells and sleep on floor mats in blistering heat,” he wrote. “Many leave behind young families. I won’t rest until they see freedom.”
Although he expected to receive a lengthy prison sentence, Jin instead walked free.
“I couldn’t be more thankful, and pray that others still imprisoned will experience this same freedom soon,” he wrote. “Mine is a God of miracles, and He constantly surprises me.”
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A Plea for the Church in China
Jin urged Chinese authorities to recognize that house churches are not enemies of the nation.
“These Christians love their nation,” he wrote. “They only want to worship God peacefully according to the Bible and to serve others, especially the poor, the disabled and the elderly.”
He also expressed hope that “China becomes a place where all people can freely worship” and called for house churches to be legalized alongside state-run churches.
Authorities closed Beijing Zion Church’s building in 2018 after it refused government demands to install surveillance equipment. The congregation continued gathering despite the crackdown.
Let Us Remember the Persecuted Church
Jin’s release is an answer to prayer, but his message reminds us that many of our brothers and sisters in Christ remain imprisoned simply because they refuse to stop worshiping Jesus.
As we thank God for Jin’s freedom, let us also pray faithfully for every believer suffering for the Gospel around the world. May the Lord strengthen them with courage, protect their families, sustain their faith, and open prison doors in His perfect timing. Let us also pray that governments opposing the Gospel would recognize the God-given freedom to worship Him without fear.
James Lasher, a seasoned writer and editor at Charisma Media, combines faith and storytelling with a journalism background from Otterbein University and ministry experience in Guatemala and at the LA Dream Center. A Marine Corps and Air Force veteran, he is the author of The Revelation of Jesus: A Common Man’s Commentary and a contributor to Charisma magazine. For interviews and media inquiries, please contact [email protected].
