VIDEO SCRIPT
Headline: “A Miraculous Release, but Ongoing Hardship”: The Confession of Pastor Jin Mingri of the Zion Church of China
[Anchor] In October of last year, Chinese authorities arrested over 30 individuals, including Pastor Jin Mingri and other leaders of the Zion Church in China, under charges such as “illegal online business operations” and “fraud.” However, during the US-China summit last May, a dramatic agreement was reached when US President Trump directly proposed the release of Pastor Jin Mingri. Despite his miraculous release, Pastor Jin is suffering from severe aftereffects and has requested prayers for the eight co-workers who remain detained in China. Reporter Lee Ga-yeong brings us this exclusive first interview with Pastor Jin Mingri for CTS.
[Reporter]
In 2018, Chinese authorities demanded the installation of CCTV cameras at the Zion Church—the largest house church in China. Resisting this demand, the church continued to practice its faith online.
However, pressure from Chinese authorities did not stop. In October of last year, authorities launched a sudden crackdown, arresting over 30 members and clergy—including Pastor Jin Mingri—on charges of “illegal online business operations” and “fraud,” using church finances as a pretext.
Even when facing a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison, Pastor Jin firmly rejected the authorities’ offers of a plea deal and leniency in exchange for admitting guilt.
[Pastor Jin Mingri / Zion Church of China]
“They estimated my sentence would be around 15 years. They told me that if I pleaded guilty to the lightest charge, they would reduce it to about three years. But I told them I couldn’t do that, because whatever charge they brought against me, I had acted strictly within reasonable Christian faith.”
[Reporter]
During his nine months of detention, the lawyer defending the Zion Church was forcibly dismissed, and an unstable cycle of repeated detentions and releases of clergy and church members continued.
Amidst these circumstances, a dramatic breakthrough occurred last May when US President Trump met with Chinese President Xi Jinping and personally proposed Pastor Jin Mingri’s release.
Preparing for his next trial, Pastor Jin was unexpectedly transferred to Guangzhou carrying only a Bible, with no idea what was happening.
It was only after receiving his confiscated passport back and boarding a flight bound for the US that he realized he had been freed.
[Pastor Jin Mingri / Zion Church of China]
“My passport had been confiscated, but when they handed it back to me, an American man sat next to me and said, ‘Welcome, Pastor Jin. Not only the US Embassy in China, but also the White House has been working hard for this and waiting for you.’ I had no idea. Christians across various denominations and countries around the world were praying and working together, allowing me to experience this miraculous rescue. I was so overwhelmed that I couldn’t sleep. Upon arriving in LA, two representatives from the US government came to meet me.”
[Reporter]
Although he miraculously returned to the embrace of his family, his wife, Mrs. Anna, was shocked by her husband’s appearance.
Due to nine months of detention and harsh interrogations involving nearly 30,000 pages of transcripts, he had lost 15 kilograms. The aftereffects are so severe that Pastor Jin could not even remember a simple four-digit password.
[Pastor Jin Mingri / Zion Church of China]
“Life inside was not a life fit for a human being. Because I am a pastor, having the Bible was possible, and it was a huge comfort.”
[Mrs. Anna / Zion Church of China]
“He wasn’t the person in my memory. We’ve known each other and been together for over 40 years, but I’ve never seen my husband with so little hair. He lost so much weight. We hadn’t been able to see each other for eight years, and the physical aftereffects are significant. His memory has deteriorated terribly. He couldn’t even remember a simple four-digit password. Starting with that, it was a total shock to me.”
[Reporter]
Having returned to his family, Pastor Jin Mingri requested prayers for the Christian ministers and eight colleagues from the Zion Church who are still detained in China.
[Pastor Jin Mingri / Zion Church of China]
“I didn’t realize that eight of our co-workers were still held there. My heart aches and I feel so sorry for those who remain. Right now, not only the eight pastors from our church, but also Pastor Wang Yi and Pastor John Cao are in prison. I ask that everyone pray and work together so that they may be released.”
[Reporter]
He also expressed his commitment to fighting for the legalization of China’s 50 million house churches, expressing deep gratitude to Protestants worldwide who prayed with them, and especially to the Korean Church, which has served as a strong pillar of support for Chinese churches.
[Pastor Jin Mingri / Zion Church of China]
“There are currently around 40 to 50 million house churches in China, and we are continually working toward achieving their legalization. The Korean Church played an enormous role in the revival of the Chinese Church. We learned a great deal from the Korean Church and benefited greatly from it, so I am deeply grateful.”
[Reporter]
As it continues its ministry through online prayer meetings and other efforts, the Zion Church of China requested ongoing solidarity and prayers from Protestants around the world for Chinese Christians who strive to glorify God, even as a minority.
[Mrs. Anna / Zion Church of China]
“Even though China has a population of 1.4 or 1.5 billion, Christians make up less than 100 million. Because Christians have always faced government suppression, they have lived on the margins rather than in the mainstream. Nevertheless, please pray that we can glorify God even more brightly.”
[Reporter]
Pastor Jin Mingri’s faith and determination—which began with the dedication of early Korean missionaries—are now delivering a message of the Gospel that transcends the Chinese Church to reach the global Christian community.
This is Lee Ga-yeong, CTS News.
People Interviewed and their Titles
[Pastor Jin Mingri / Zion Church of China]
[Mrs. Anna / Zion Church of China]
Recording Location
Republic of Korea
Organization featured in this Story
https://youtu.be/9Hec-qdzTrM?si=GExSU0A6YHF-wXO_
Reporter/Producer for the story
Lee Ga-yeong
Story Provider/Contact
gayeong@cts.tv
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