A Pastoral Letter from the Detained Rev. Mingri (Ezra) Jin

(Posted by Sean Long Fei to Facebook on October 27, 2025)

Dear brothers and sisters, all the saints of Zion:

May God's grace and peace be upon you from our Father God and the Lord Jesus Christ. Beloved, everything here is still new to me, but I often think back to those exciting days—the days when we pioneered the gospel together, trained disciples, and established churches. They feel as if they were right before my eyes. You were always so kind, steadfastly focused on the things of Christ. My heart longs for you.

I'm gradually adjusting to life here. My blood sugar and physical discomfort are slowly improving. Don't worry about me. I find great comfort in being able to endure this little suffering for the gospel. Thinking back over the years, many of our young ministers, deacons, and elders have been imprisoned for the gospel, and those senior church leaders I respect have also suffered. When I heard these news, I was so heartbroken that I didn't know what to do. Now that I'm experiencing these things myself, I feel more at peace. I'm truly joyful to be among these brothers and sisters who have paid the price for the gospel. Isn’t this what the Lord Jesus said? “Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:13).

Zion Church is a church that values the gospel and is a member of the Chinese house church community. We carry on the legacy of our forefathers, upholding the gospel and respecting the separation of church and state. We do not oppose dialogue with the government, nor do we confront it, but rather emphasize obedience to those in authority. During this persecution, many co-workers have been imprisoned. I see this as a good opportunity to share our true stories with others and to educate and grow ourselves. God works all things together for good to those who love him (Romans 8:28). In such trials, our faith is refined, becoming pure as gold; our hope grows brighter, shining like the morning star.

Remember, in 2018, our theme was “Do Not Throw Away Your Courage.” God encouraged us through the book of Hebrews (Hebrews 10:35). Back then, God prepared us to face the September 9th Incident. Now, amidst the persecution, I hope we will not lose the courage given to us by the Holy Spirit. C. S. Lewis said that courage is the first virtue; without it, all other virtues cannot be maintained. While expounding on the Book of Revelation, I noticed something: in the new heaven and new earth, when the Lord removes all that is bad in Babylon, the first thing mentioned is the cowardly. “But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.” (Revelation 21:8). Cowardice, though small, can block the door to heaven. The Lord calls us to be overcomers, giving us the courage that David had when he faced Goliath. May this persecution, like the thorns that afflicted Paul, sharpen our courage and make our faith as solid as a rock.

In 2019, God gave Zion a song: “By God the Father’s Good Forces.” (“Von guten Mächten”) God has indeed used His power to uphold us, raising us from the dead and ushering in a new round of revival. I believe that God is also testing us this time, like refining silver—painful but full of love. God will not abandon us.

Last week, on a Sunday, when I was taken to the detention center, God gave me the words from Jonah chapter 2: “For you cast me into the deep, into the heart of the seas, and the flood surrounded me; all your waves and your billows passed over me. Then I said, ‘I am driven away from your sight; yet I shall again look upon your holy temple.’” (Jonah 2:3-4). Even in the abyss, our hearts still look toward God's temple. Jonah was saved from the belly of the fish, and we will be freed from here too, for the Lord is the victor who breaks down the bronze gates.

I am always grateful and praying for you. May the Lord grant you the peace that surpasses all knowledge to guard your hearts and minds; may the Holy Spirit ignite courage in your hearts; may the grace of Christ nourish Zion, bringing abundant fruit to the glory of God the Father.

May the God of peace keep you; may the love of Jesus Christ fill you; may the presence of the Holy Spirit light your way. Amen!

Your servant in Christ, in the grace of the Lord.

October 19, 2025 AD

金明日牧师的狱中牧函

亲爱的弟兄姊妹，锡安的众圣徒：

愿神的恩典和平安，从我们的父神和主耶稣基督临到你们。亲爱的，我在这里的一切都还陌生，但常常想起过去那些日子——我们一起为福音开荒、训练门徒、建立教会的激动时光，仿佛就在眼前。你们总是那么好，坚定地以基督的事为念。我的心很想念你们。

我现在渐渐适应这里的生活。血糖和身体的不适也在慢慢好转，别为我担心。我心里倒有不少安慰，因为能为福音受这点苦。想想这些年，我们许多年轻的传道和执事、长老为福音被关押，我尊敬的那些牧长也受了苦，那时听到这些消息，我心里难过得不知怎么办。现在我自己也经历这些，反而觉得心里更安稳了，能和这些为福音付代价的弟兄姊妹同列，我真觉得喜乐。这不就是主耶稣说的么？“人为朋友舍命，人的爱心没有比这个大的。”（约翰福音15:13）

锡安教会是看重福音的教会，是中国家庭教会中的一员。我们继承了先辈的传承，持守福音，注重政教分立。我们不反对和政府对话，也不对抗，而是强调顺服掌权者。这次教难，许多同工被关，我觉得这是个好机会，能向别人呈现我们中间真实的故事，也让我们自己得着教育和成长。神会使万事互相效力，叫爱他的人得益处（罗马书8:28）。在这样的试炼中，我们的信心被炼净，像金子一样纯正；我们的盼望也更真切，像晨星一样显明。

记得2018年，我们的主题是“不可丢弃勇敢的心”。神借希伯来书鼓励我们（希伯来书10:35）。那时，神预备我们面对99事件。现在在教难中，我也盼望我们不丢掉圣灵给我们的勇敢。C.S.路易斯说，勇敢是第一美德，没有它，其他美德都守不住。在讲解启示录时，我注意到一件事：在新天新地里，主除去巴比伦一切不好的事时，第一件提到的是胆怯的人。“惟有胆怯的、不信的、可憎的、杀人的、淫乱的、行邪术的、拜偶像的和一切说谎话的，他们的份就在烧着硫磺的火湖里，这是第二次的死。”（启示录21:8）胆怯虽小，却能挡住天国的门。主呼召我们做得胜者，他给我们大卫面对歌利亚那样的胆量。愿这教难像保罗的荆棘一样，磨练我们的勇敢，让信心稳如磐石。

2019年，神给锡安一首歌：《天父美善力量》。神果然用他的力量托住我们，让我们从死里复活，迎来新一轮复兴。我相信，这次神也在历练我们，像炼银一样，虽然痛，但满有慈爱。神不会撇下我们。

上周送我到看守所那天，正是星期天，神给我约拿书第二章的话：“你将我投下深渊，就是海的深处；大水环绕我，你的波浪洪涛都漫过我身。我说，我从你眼前虽被驱逐，我仍要仰望你的圣殿。”（约拿书2:3-4）即使在深渊，我们的心还是仰望神的圣殿。约拿从鱼腹得救，我们也必从这里得释放，因为主是打破铜门的得胜者。

我为你们常常感恩和祷告。愿主赐给你们超越知识的平安，保守你们的心怀意念；愿圣灵点燃你们心中的勇敢；愿基督的恩典滋润锡安，让果子丰盛，荣耀归给父神。

愿赐平安的神保守你们；愿耶稣基督的爱充满你们；愿圣灵同在照亮你们的路。阿们！

在基督里的你们的仆人，于主的恩典中。

主后2025年10月19日