Global attention will soon turn to U.S.-China relations when President Trump meets with Chairman Xi later in May. With trade, energy, and global conflicts set to dominate the agenda, issues of religious persecution risk being overlooked or ignored.
But two empty chairs should remind us of those suffering for their beliefs, spurring us to prayer and advocacy.
The first empty chair is for Pastor Ezra Jin, founder of the large underground Zion Church in China. Pastor Jin was detained by Chinese authorities in October 2025 as part of a nationwide crackdown on unregistered “house churches.” Police reportedly raided his home in Beihai, Guangxi, and arrested him along with dozens of other church leaders across multiple cities. Charged with offenses such as “illegal use of information networks,” he could face several years in prison while reportedly being held with limited access to family or legal communication. The case is widely seen as part of a broader campaign by the Chinese government to assert control over churches and religious groups operating outside state control. [Watch his daughter Grace Jin Drexel share about his situation.]
The second empty chair is for Ilham Tohti, a prominent Uyghur economist and professor, arrested by Chinese authorities in January 2014 for his writings and advocacy on ethnic relations and Uyghur rights. Uyghurs are a Turkic people in western China and are predominantly Muslim. Tohti was later charged with “separatism” after a closed trial in September 2014, and sentenced to life imprisonment. Human rights organizations and scholars have widely criticized the case as politically motivated, noting that the evidence cited consisted primarily of his peaceful expression and academic work. He has remained in prison with no contact with his family in recent years. His case is emblematic of broader repression of Uyghur Muslims in China, which the first Trump administration identified as suffering a genocide. [Watch his daughter Jewher Ilham speak about his situation.]
Each chair represents different individuals from different religious and ethnic backgrounds. But they have much in common: both are wrongfully imprisoned, both have families pleading for their release, and both are loved by God. Their plight is indicative of the challenges facing Christians and Uyghur Muslims in China who wish to peacefully practice their faith.
Join us in praying for their release, that their cases be raised during the bilateral summit, and that their communities will soon experience religious freedom. If led to take a step towards advocacy, please sign our letter to President Trump asking that he raise concerns about religious persecution and request the release of these two individuals.
Dr. Randel Everett, Senior Fellow for Religious Freedom at Dallas Baptist University and President Emeritus of 21Wilberforce shares:
Stephen is one of thousands of children we saw when some of us from 21Wilberforce traveled across the Middle Belt of Nigeria interviewing victims of religious and ethnic persecution. Actually, I don’t even remember his name although I renamed him Stephen since he was a survivor from a family who had been killed by militant Fulani Islamists.
Although I may not know Stephen’s name, I will never forget his situation and the look of sorrow in his eyes. Stephen was living with his grandfather and probably clung to me because I reminded him of his granddad. Stephen is just one of thousands of children we met living in IDP (Internally Displaced People) camps across northern Nigeria. We interviewed grieving mothers, parents anguished because of children who had been kidnapped, scarred victims of violence, and hundreds who had been driven from their homes.
They are plagued by haunting memories, grief, and hunger, and are still trying to hold to the faith that was attributed to their suffering. Some are saying The Middle Belt of Nigeria is the most dangerous place in the world for Christians.
Today, the terror is even worse. I recently asked Archbishop Ben Kwashi from Jos if the report that over 1045 Christians have been killed between May of 2023 through May of 2025 was correct, and he said it was probably understated.
We are calling on Secretary of State Marco Rubio to reinstate Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC), a special U.S. government designation for the worst violators of religious freedom. If you wish to sign this petition to the Secretary of State, please select ‘Become an Advocate’ and complete the form with your name and email.
Click on 'Downloadable Slide' to access a resource you can use during your church service or gathering. Encourage your church to display this slide during the prayer for Nigeria, joining hundreds of Texas Baptists in urging the Secretary to take immediate action.
With Christians and other religious minorities around the world facing daily repression, join us on October 20-21 at Dallas Baptist University when we will convene for The Global Religious Freedom Gathering. Our collective prayer and advocacy will bring great comfort and encouragement to our brothers and sisters.
Elijah Brown, General Secretary and CEO of the Baptist World Alliance, and Israel, President of the Nigerian Baptist Convention, asking for prayers for the church in Nigeria
Emily A. Cole, Outreach Coordinator for the CAAP Network, calls Christians to a distinct love for our neighbors, both Christians and non-Christians alike.
Christians Against All Persecuted has created prayer guides to help believers know, love, and pray for those in some of the most persecuted countries around the world.
