While that's something to celebrate, other pastors and Christians remain in custody or face jailtime.
Lin, 68, was detained after he entered China in 2006, later convicted of contract fraud and sentenced to life in prison, according to the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom and advocacy groups.
The Biden administration has worked on the cases of Lin and other wrongly detained Americans but has done so carefully in order to avoid escalation and to maintain communication, The Associated Press reported.
Lin took frequent missionary trips to China and sought a license from the Chinese government to carry out Christian ministry, according to China Aid.
Lin denied the charge, one that’s often used against leaders of churches that operate outside state-sponsored faith groups, according to the Dui Hua Foundation, a humanitarian group that advocates for prisoners in China.
The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom says leaders of non-state churches “often face intimidation, harassment, arrest and harsh sentences,” The AP reported.
Lin is safe, but many continue to suffer.
"We have a lot of pastors who have been sentenced or are about to be tried in coming weeks," says Bob Fu, founder and president of China Aid.
The reason? Putting out a box for tithes and offerings.
The most powerful weapon
"They were charged with the same criminal charge like Pastor David, it's 'business fraud,'" says Fu. "Now, tithing and offering in the Communist Party's China is regarded as a criminal act, so we should certainly pray."
Fu calls it our most powerful weapon in spiritual warfare. Still, prayer is not the only option. Fu recommends people write letters to the persecuted and fund efforts to help them and their families.
"We should also speak up, especially now in the presidential election season," says Fu. "China is pretty much in the news."
Fu urges people to press elected officials and candidates at all levels, even the mayors of cities that have a sister city or relationship with China.
"They should speak up directly to the Chinese Communist party leaders and say that if they continue this path of persecuting innocent Christians and other religious minorities, they shouldn't expect the good, kind, citizens, especially Christians, to let them off the hook."
