Urgent Plea for a Father's Freedom
In a heartfelt appeal before a congressional panel on November 20, Grace Jin Drexel, daughter of detained Chinese pastor Ezra Jin Mingri, urged U.S. lawmakers to assist in securing her father's release. Pastor Jin, the founder of the prominent underground Zion Church in China, was arrested on October 10 in what has been described as one of the largest crackdowns on a single church in decades. Jin Drexel expressed her unexpected journey into advocacy, stating, 'I did not expect to be doing this,' highlighting the emotional toll of her father's detention by Chinese authorities.
The Zion Church, an unregistered house church, has faced severe repression from the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), which exercises strict control over religious practices. Alongside Pastor Jin, nearly 30 other church leaders and members were detained in a coordinated operation across multiple cities. Jin Drexel's testimony underscored the personal impact of this crackdown, as she continues to fight for her father's freedom while navigating the complexities of international diplomacy and human rights advocacy.
Escalating Crackdown on Religious Freedom in China
The detention of Pastor Ezra Jin and his associates marks a significant escalation in China's ongoing suppression of unregistered churches. According to reports, this operation targeted leaders across seven cities, making it the most extensive attack on a Chinese church in over 40 years. The U.S. Department of State has condemned these actions, with Secretary Marco Rubio publicly calling for the immediate release of the detained Zion Church members, emphasizing the CCP's hostility toward Christians who refuse Party interference in their faith.
Jin Drexel's plea comes at a time when President Donald J. Trump has vowed to protect Christian populations worldwide. During her congressional testimony, she implored lawmakers not to remain silent, saying, 'Do not signal defeat and acceptance of this trampling of human rights with your silence.' Her words resonate with broader concerns about religious freedom in China, where the government seeks to control even the most intimate aspects of personal belief, as she noted in a speech at a China Forum event.
US Response and Hope for Diplomatic Intervention
The U.S. government's response to the Zion Church crackdown has included bipartisan support from lawmakers such as Senators Jeff Merkley and Ted Cruz, who have pressed for continued efforts to free Pastor Jin and others. This issue has also gained attention on Capitol Hill, with the China Commission amplifying Jin Drexel's powerful testimony about the need to hold China accountable for its actions against religious communities.
As Grace Jin Drexel continues her advocacy, there is hope that high-level discussions between U.S. and Chinese officials could lead to progress. Her call for action is not just a personal mission but a reminder of the broader struggle for religious freedom in China. She remains steadfast, drawing strength from her faith, as she stated during her testimony, 'As a Christian, I believe that we are asked to take courage and speak the truth,' reflecting her determination to see her father and fellow church members released from detention.