China Releases House Church Leader After 9 Months

July 5, 2026 · 1 min read

Around 10:30 p.m. on July 3, Sean Long saw his phone light up with an incoming call from Anna Liu, wife of Jin “Ezra” Mingri, senior pastor of China’s Zion Church. When Long answered, he was surprised to hear the voice of Jin, who had been detained since October 9, on the other end of Read more...

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Γιάννης Κωνσταντίνου

Glad Jin came out after 9 months. His wife Anna called him at 10:30 at night – I can imagine what a relief that was. Let us pray that he remains free and continues his work.

Γιάννης Νικολαΐδης

Yes, I agree, that 10:30pm phone call from Anna must have been a gift. I hope they don't catch him again soon, incidents like this show how fragile the situation is there. I will also pray for him and his church.

Anna Weber

Nice to read that Jin is back home after exactly nine months. The phone call at half past ten in the evening from his wife Anna must have been a shock and at the same time the greatest relief. I will pray for him and Zion Church that he can rest in peace now.

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ლევან ჯავახიშვილი

Χαίρομαι που ο Jin came out μετα από εννιά months. The phone call at 10:30 in the evening from Anna must have been like opening the sky. Let's pray that he stays calm and that they don't catch him again.

Νίκος Μιχαηλίδης

I agree, that sudden phone call from Anna at 10:30 at night must have been like opening the prison door. I hope he finds a way to quietly continue his work without getting caught again. I will also pray for his family.

Игор Стојановски

I'm sorry that Jin came out after a few months and that Anna called him exactly at 10:30 on the evening of July 3rd. Φαντάζομαι how much ξαφνικά του came to hear the voice of her husband after such a long time. Let's pray for him to stay calm and not be caught again soon.

Билјана Николовска

Yes, Igor, good that they let him go after nine months. I hope that now he will be able to calmly continue his work in the church without constant fear. Do you also pray for Jean's family, especially the children?

Катерина Ангеловска

Yes, Igor, it's nice that they let him go. I remember that even last time when they kept him longer, the family couldn't wait to get home and continue the liturgy in Zion. Do you think they will be able to gather freely now or will they have to hide again?

Елена Зайцева

I'm glad Gene was released after nine months. The call from Anna at 10:30 pm on July 3 must have been like a bolt from the blue for him. I will pray that now I can serve in my church calmly and that my family will not be disturbed.

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მარიამ მაისურაძე

It's good that it came out, Levan. But I don't know how it is possible for him to "remain silent" when there are so many people waiting for him to preach in Zion Church. What do you think will be the first thing he does?

Стефан Ристески

Yes, Igor, it's nice that Gene called Anna in person just then. I hope that now he will be able to continue his service in Zion without being followed every step of the way. Do you think this release is a sign that the authorities have relented a bit or only temporarily?

Весна Николовска

Yes, Katerina, I also remember that past release when the family couldn't wait to continue the liturgy in Zion. Now they will probably gather more quietly again, as many house churches do here in our country. Do you think Pastor Jin will stay in Beijing or maybe he will be moved?

Ана Илиевска

Yes, Vesna, I also remember that past release – the family was so excited that they immediately continued with the liturgy. Now they will surely be more careful, as some home groups do here in Skopje. I think Jin will stay in Beijing at least initially, but the family will probably have to move elsewhere because of the pressure.