Dear Mr. President,

We, a broad coalition of American pastors and faith leaders of churches and non-governmental organizations from across the political spectrum, write to you today with profound urgency and deep sorrow. We appeal to you out of our shared respect for the Office of the President and the enduring, vital role the United States plays as the world’s foremost defender of religious liberty.

As you prepare to meet with Chairman Xi Jinping next month, our hearts are heavy concerning the escalating and systematic persecution of believers across the People’s Republic of China (PRC). We are particularly burdened by the unjust and arbitrary detention of Pastor Ezra Jin Mingri, a faithful leader and family member of American citizens, who was seized on October 10, 2025, alongside other leaders of Zion Church.

Pastor Jin’s plight is emblematic of a broader, calculated campaign to eradicate religious freedom in China. As documented by the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) and the U.S. Department of State, Christian communities, Tibetans, Uyghurs, and other religious minorities are enduring relentless surveillance, arbitrary detentions, and the destruction of their sacred spaces. As spiritual and civic leaders, we believe that silence in the face of such suffering is complicity, and we cannot be silent while our brothers and sisters in faith endure such repression.

The United States must continue to stand as a beacon for those who are oppressed. We implore you to use the full weight and moral authority of your office to take decisive action. Specifically, we urge you to:

1. Seek immediate resolution for Pastor Ezra Jin Mingri and other arbitrarily detained leaders of Zion Church, Light of Zion Church, and Early Rain Covenant Church. We ask that you directly advocate for their release during your meeting with President Xi next month, explicitly requesting that the PRC allow Pastor Jin to leave China safely to reunite with his family in the United States.

2. Utilize existing executive authorities, including the imposition of targeted sanctions and strict visa restrictions, to hold the specific individuals and entities responsible for these severe violations of international religious freedom.

3. Ensure that international religious freedom remains a cornerstone of U.S.–China policy, sending a resolute message that the United States will not separate fundamental human rights from our broader diplomatic and economic engagements.

This is a moment for moral clarity. We urge you to speak plainly, act decisively, and seek justice for those suffering under persecution. We stand ready to support every appropriate effort to advance religious freedom and secure the release of those unjustly detained.

 Sincerely,