In his first interview since his release, Pastor Ezra Jin Mingri reveals how a sudden decision by U.S. leadership surprised him. He explains that the release was the result of a direct appeal from President Trump to Xi Jinping.

The pastor had spent months in a Chinese detention facility after authorities cited his religious activities as a threat to state security. He describes the isolation and the uncertainty that marked his daily life, emphasizing the emotional toll of the imprisonment.

Trump’s intervention, according to Mingri, was prompted by diplomatic pressure and a broader U.S. push for religious freedom in China. Xi Jinping reportedly agreed to the release as part of a limited easing of tensions between China and the U.S..

Mingri expresses relief and gratitude, noting that the experience has deepened his faith and strengthened his resolve to advocate for persecuted Christians worldwide. He hopes his story will encourage greater international dialogue on human rights.