On his recent trip to China, where US President Donald Trump and President of China Xi Jinping discussed many topics, including trade and the war in Iran, President Trump was true to his promise to bring to Xi’s attention the cases of Ezra Jin Mingri and Jimmy Lai. Jin is the pastor of one of the largest underground churches in China, imprisoned for refusing to worship under the auspices of the Chinese Communist Party. In China, the CCP created and controls all churches, and every church is obliged to register with the CCP and worship under its banner. Jin’s community, Zion Church, has refused to do so, insisting on its independence from control by the CCP. Jin was detained by the CCP authorities in October and remains in their custody.

Jimmy Lai is also a devout Christian, a Catholic, who is one of the wealthiest businessmen in Hong Kong. When the Chinese government took over control of Hong Kong from the British in 1997, and despite the agreement between China and the UK, the CCP started cracking down on free expression and political activity. Jimmy Lai led protests and founded “Apple Daily,” a newspaper that was highly critical of the CCP’s crackdown on human rights in Hong Kong. Because of this, Lai was arrested, given a show trial, and sentenced to 20 years in prison, a virtual death sentence for the 78-year-old

Trump had promised to bring up the cases of both men to Xi during his visit and in his conversations with the Chinese president, asking that both men be released. True to his word, Trump did just that. While Trump reported that Xi was considering the release of the pastor, Trump was less optimistic about Lai’s situation. When asked about the pastor, Trump said of Xi, “He said he’s gonna strongly consider the pastor.” However, when asked about Jimmy Lai, Trump said, “He told me that would be a tough one.”

Even still, the families of both men are grateful to Trump for bringing up the cases, and are cautiously optimistic.

Please pray for the release of both men and for the conversion of hearts in China that the rule of the CCP will end soon and the people of China, and Hong Kong, can live in freedom. Again, if you have the resources, consider supporting Aid to the Church in Need, the Holy Father’s organization that provides aid to Christians persecuted around the world.

Be Christ for all. Bring Christ to all. See Christ in all.