local
Founder of one of China’s biggest underground churches freed, reunites with family in US
By CNN Newsource at KVIA ABC-7
· July 5, 2026
· 3 min read
By Chris Lau, Jessie Yeung, CNN
Hong Kong (CNN) — A pastor who founded one of China’s most prominent underground churches has been released from prison and reunited with his family in the United States, his daughter told CNN.
Ezra Jin, the founder of Zion Church, was among dozens of members c...
Key takeaway We thank God for this tremendous miracle,” his daughter Grace Jin Drexel said in a family statement to CNN.
Why this matters in The El Paso
The reunion of Ezra Jin with his family in the US has implications for El Paso 's own community of faith. As a city with a significant Christian population, the story of Zion Church's struggles with the Chinese government may resonate with local churchgoers. El Paso's churches have long been a cornerstone of community life, and the idea of religious freedom being curtailed is likely to spark concern among residents. Furthermore, the role of the US government in securing Jin's release may be of interest to El Pasoans, given the city's proximity to the US-Mexico border and its history of international diplomacy. As the story of Zion Church continues to unfold, El Pasoans may be watching to see how the US government balances its relationships with China and its commitment to protecting religious freedom around the world. This could have implications for local faith communities and their relationships with international partners.
About this story
Original reporting by KVIA ABC-7 . The El Paso surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KVIA ABC-7 . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 5, 2026 ·
Source: KVIA ABC-7 ·
Reading time: 3 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? By Chris Lau, Jessie Yeung, CNN
Hong Kong (CNN) — A pastor who founded one of China’s most prominent underground churches has been released from prison and reunited with his family in the United States, his daughter told CNN.
Ezra Jin, the founder of Zion Church, was among dozens of members c...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 5, 2026 by KVIA ABC-7 and curated for The El Paso readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by CNN Newsource at KVIA ABC-7. To learn more about how The El Paso selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The El Paso, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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