NEWS PROVIDED BY
Christian Defense Coalition
Sept. 17, 2026
WASHINGTON, Sept. 17, 2026 /Christian Newswire/ — As President Donald J. Trump prepares to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping, a coalition of religious human rights advocates, faith leaders, and families of victims will come together on the U.S. Capitol Steps.
The group will be gathering for prayer and public witness on September 18, at 11:30 AM on the southeastern steps.
The coalition is formally calling on Congress to circulate a “Dear Colleague” letter urging the administration to secure the immediate release and safe passage of 50 Christian prisoners of conscience in China.
The gathering features Pastor Ezra Jin Mingri, founder of Zion Church, who was released from a Chinese prison in July 2026 following direct intervention by President Donald J. Trump.
Pastor Jin will join advocates Rev. Pat Mahoney, Alexei Laushkin, Gao Pa, and Grace Jin Drexel and others to highlight the moral imperative to act on Christian Persecution ahead of bilateral summit negotiations.
A Precedent for Actionable Diplomacy
The recent release of Pastor Ezra Jin demonstrates that high-level executive engagement yields tangible results as well as the critical leadership of President Trump on Christian persecution.
Pastor Ezra’s daughter, Grace Jin Drexel, Director of Advocacy at the Luke Alliance, emphasized the spiritual and family impact of diplomatic intervention:
“The release of my father was truly a miracle. God has heard our prayers and moved in big ways, blessing this nation and its leaders. God is also much bigger and mightier and we await to witness His miracle again. We stand here today with our personal supplications, to ask that Gao’s parents, the church leaders of Zion Church, and many Christian leaders in China be released. We pray together today and we hope you will join us.”
Alexei Laushkin, founder of the Kingdom Mission Society, underscored that acting on Christian Persecution is both a biblical mandate and an essential pillar of advancing America’s foreign policy interest:
“The Gospel of Luke calls us to proclaim liberty to the captives. We ask Congress to draw urgent attention to the 50 Christian prisoners of conscience currently detained or restricted in China simply for practicing their faith. We commend the President for his game-changing leadership on Christian persecution, and we ask that the status of these 50 individuals be formally placed on the agenda for next week’s summit.”
Long time Chinese human rights activist, Rev. Patrick Mahoney, Director of the Christian Defense Coalition, adds:
“It is incredible to realize that a little over two months ago Pastor Ezra was being held in a Chinese prison for his Christian faith. Due to the personal intervention of President Trump and the prayers of countless Christians, Pastor Ezra is now free and with his family.
“During this historic summit, we ask for President Trump to call upon President Xi to end China’s brutal persecution of Christians and release 50 imprisoned Christian prisoners of conscience.
“In our relationship with China, America cannot be silent on issues of religious freedom, human rights, and justice. As Hebrews 13:3 challenges us, we must, ‘Continue to remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.’”
Critical Cases Requiring Immediate Relief
The coalition’s appeal focuses on several high-priority humanitarian cases where immediate U.S. diplomatic intervention can restore families and protect human life:
Pastor John Cao: A U.S. lawful permanent resident who completed a seven-year prison sentence but remains trapped under an exit ban in China, separated from his American family while facing a severe stage 4 cancer diagnosis. Securing his return to the U.S. represents an urgent humanitarian necessity.
The Zion 8: Eight key leaders and staff of Beijing’s Zion Church who remain imprisoned following the crackdown that initially detained Pastor Ezra Jin.
Pastor Gao Quanfu & Pang Yu: Pastoral leaders of the Light of Zion Church in Xi’an and parents of advocate Gao Pu, detained since 2025 as part of expanded state measures against independent house churches.
Jimmy Lai: Continued solidarity and prayer for the imprisoned pro-democracy advocate and practicing Catholic, whose case remains a benchmark for freedom of conscience in Hong Kong.
For more information or interviews contact:
Rev. Patrick Mahoney at 540.538.4741
SOURCE Christian Defense Coalition