Sen. Tim Scott celebrates the release of Pastor Ezra Jin from prison in China

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) issued the following statement following the release of Pastor Ezra Jin from prison in China. Jin had been abducted and imprisoned by the Chinese Communist Party in October of 2025 alongside other members of Zion Church, one of China's largest underground congregations.

"The Chinese Communist Party attempted to thwart Zion Church's God-given right to worship, but by the grace of God and strong diplomatic pressure, Pastor Jin is free," said Sen. Scott. "America will always stand as a beacon for faith, freedom, and religious liberty. Every human has a right to praise his or her creator and no nation on God's green Earth can take that away."

Sen. Scott has been a staunch advocate for religious freedom, joining Sen. Risch (R-Idaho) this past January to introduce a resolution calling for America's continued leadership on religious liberty and the right for all people to worship freely and without fear of retribution.

Background:

• On Oct. 10, 2025, the Chinese Communist Party conducted the largest coordinated crackdown on a Christian urban house church in over four decades. At least 22 pastors and church members from Zion Church were arrested, which included Pastor "Ezra" Jin Mingri.
• Sen.Scott, alongside his Senate colleagues, introduced a resolution condemning Jin's abduction, calling for his release.
• In March, Sen. Scott signed onto a bipartisan letter urging President Trump to advocate for Jin's release during his meeting with China's leader, Xi Jinping. President Trump later met with Xi Jinping and called for Jin's release.

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