In a compelling plea before a U.S. congressional panel, Grace Jin Drexel, the daughter of detained Chinese Christian pastor Ezra Jin Mingri, urged American lawmakers to intervene in securing her father’s release. This appeal comes as President Donald Trump reaffirms his commitment to protecting Christians worldwide, particularly in regions where they face persecution. Jin Drexel revealed that her father, along with 17 other leaders of the underground Zion Church, was formally charged this week following their detention in October. This crackdown marks one of China’s most significant actions against an unregistered church in decades, challenging the Communist Party’s strict regulations on religious practices. Zion Church, which operates independently of state control, has faced repeated harassment and threats from authorities. Jin Drexel emphasized her father’s mission to create a church free from government interference, where God is the sole authority. Meanwhile, U.S. lawmakers praised the Trump administration’s decision to designate Nigeria as a “country of particular concern” due to its failure to address the persecution of Christians. Trump has also threatened potential military action in Nigeria to curb violence against Christians. In China, the government maintains that it manages religious affairs lawfully and opposes U.S. interference. A White House official confirmed awareness of the detentions, reiterating Trump’s commitment to global religious freedom. The case highlights China’s broader crackdown on independent religious groups, particularly in regions like Xinjiang and Tibet, where authorities have destroyed churches, burned Bibles, and pressured followers to renounce their faith. Zion Church, founded in 2007, has grown significantly despite state opposition, adopting a hybrid online-offline model to reach thousands daily. Jin Drexel stressed that Chinese Christians seek only freedom from Communist Party control, not opposition to the state. Former U.S. Ambassador for International Religious Freedom Sam Brownback warned that China’s war on faith poses a national security threat, urging the U.S. to prioritize religious freedom in its foreign policy.