为基督受苦不仅仅是“必然的恶”
马特·罗兹（Matt Rhodes）
神义（即神是否公义的）问题

       在当今西方社会的传福音对话中，你很快就会遇到有人问你关于神义的问题：一个良善的神，怎能允许世界上存在苦难？在教会中，你也常常会听到这一话题被以某种形式提及。然而，情况并非总是如此。在世界的其他地区——例如我和妻子服侍的北非穆斯林——人们并不像西方如此关注神义问题，历史上大多数人也是如此。当然，圣经并没有像当今许多基督教作家那样，把主要精力放在对神义问题的辩论上。
        部分原因在于，我们现代对神义的关注是适当的，因为它帮助我们回应周围不信者的问题。但我们不能忘记，这类问题往往带有预设性。就像在法庭上问被告：“你是不是已经停止打你的妻子了？”律师必然会提出异议：“法官大人，这个问题假设我的当事人曾经打过妻子。”这类问题需要被重新表述，而不是直接回答。关于“一个良善的神，如何允许苦难？”的问题也是如此——它在一开始就假设了神的“有罪”，迫使我们去证明相反的事实。在这种对话中，神最多只能被勉强“无罪释放”，几乎没有空间去积极论证他的良善。
 
重新界定问题
        那么，圣经如何重新界定神义的问题呢？圣经首先提醒我们，人类所知道的实在有限。神并没有直接回答约伯关于神良善的质问，而是以自己的问题回应约伯：
        “死亡的门曾向你显露吗？
            阴间的门你曾见过吗？       
            地的广大你能名透吗？
            若你全知道，只管说吧。”（约伯记 38:17）
神在指出，他的知识远远超出约伯微不足道的理解。约伯无法完全理解神的作为。同样的道理，当我三岁的孩子这周想要喝洗洁精时，我并没有回应他拉长的“为——什——么——呀？”因为他不知道什么是毒药，不知道急诊室，不知道死亡；他无法理解我的决定。而孩子的“为——什——么——呀？”就是一种带有前提的神义问题：“为什么好爸爸要阻止我喝那看起来好吃的东西？”
圣经可能没有为我们详细解释神为何允许世上存在苦难，但也并未回避这个话题。相反，圣经继续重新界定问题，把讨论焦点放在我们能够理解的方面。它讲述了苦难如何进入世界，以及神如何应对苦难的故事。
       在这个故事中有多个人物，也有多层因果关系。圣经提醒我们，神创造世界之初并没有苦难，苦难是在全人类背叛神并受魔鬼谎言欺骗之后才出现的。魔鬼对我们的苦难有自己的目的，这与神的目的截然不同。神的旨意是引领人进入超越苦难的应许之地，那时他“要擦去他们一切的眼泪，不再有死亡，也不再有悲哀、哭号、疼痛” （启 21:4）。而魔鬼的目标，是让我们永远困在死亡与苦难中。
 
苦难作为撒但的工具
       重要的是，魔鬼不仅希望死亡与苦难成为我们的永恒归宿，他也利用死亡和苦难引导我们走向那条路。撒但为何要让约伯受苦？他当然从约伯的痛苦中获得恶意的快感，但他追求的更大的目标是：“你且伸手伤他的骨和他的肉，他必当面弃掉你。”（伯 2:5）撒但希望约伯的痛苦让他认为神已经弃他而去，从而失去信心。
       当我们因信受苦时，这种诱惑更加直接：“你孤身一人，耶稣救不了你。如果你不信他，你现在就不会受苦。”这就是为什么耶稣提醒彼得：“西门啊，西门，撒但想要得着你们，好筛你们像筛麦子一样，但我已经为你祷告，叫你不至于失了信心。”（路 22:31）耶稣知道撒但要来攻击彼得的信心。在十字架恐怖的时刻，彼得会被诱惑相信耶稣的敌人已经胜利。他会选择撒谎以自保，而不是信靠神的拯救。撒但的目标，是将彼得信心中的麦壳筛尽，留下没有麦子。
       在新约中，我们多次看到撒但如此作工。正是在教会“遍布世界各地的苦难”之中，撒但“如同吼叫的狮子，遍地游行，寻找可吞吃的人”（彼前 5:8–9）。希伯来书的作者也告诉受逼迫的读者，人因“怕死”而被撒但“奴役终生”（来2:14–15）。
        今天，人们仍因怕死而被奴役。在福音尚未广传的地区，不仅是错误教导，而是苦难的威胁，使人被奴役。人们害怕谈论基督，害怕听神的话，害怕相信。即使在福音广为传扬的地方，对死亡的恐惧——对短暂生命结束后没有意义的焦虑——也阻碍许多人信耶稣。
 
为基督受苦以祝福他人
        感谢神，他不会让撒但的计谋得逞。神也在我们的苦难中做工，正如他在世上所有邪恶中做工一样，并且他在苦难中作工是为了善。今天，当基督徒谈论神如何借苦难成就美好时，我们往往集中在神借苦难塑造品格的方面。神确实会借苦难成就这一目的，但新约更多地将苦难描绘为一种牺牲，而非单纯的品格磨炼（参腓 2:17；西 1:24；提前 4:6）。经常将苦难看作是为他人而献给神的祭物（参约 12:24；约 15:13；西 1:24）。
         那么，当我们为基督受苦时，别人如何得益呢？保罗解释道：“我们四面受苦，却不被困住；心里作难，却不至失望；遭逼迫，却不被丢弃；被打倒，却不至灭亡；我们身上常常带着耶稣的死，好叫耶稣的生命也显明在我们身上。”（林后 4:8–10）
       正是通过保罗的受苦，耶稣复活生命的能力在他“必死的肉身”中显明出来，让他人看见。保罗的受苦不仅使他能够宣讲耶稣的大能，也让他人看到这大能。还有什么比这更重要的呢？撒但借苦难和死亡的恐惧来破坏信仰、束缚人，而我们的受苦则照亮复活和永远奖赏的盼望，从而带来自由。
       保罗还说腓立比的弟兄姐妹是他“倾注如同奠酒的供物”的对象（腓 2:17），是他的“喜乐和冠冕”（腓 4:1）。因我们受苦而得以坚强的弟兄姐妹，将成为我们永恒奖赏的一部分——这份“冠冕”给我们勇气为基督受苦。推动我们前行的，不仅是永生的盼望，更是与耶稣及这些弟兄姐妹一同享受永生的盼望，使我们在苦难面前不至退缩。
        你为基督所承受的苦难，不必非得特别伟大或充满英雄色彩，基督的大能才能在其中显明。神的能力不仅在保罗那些“非凡”的苦难中得以彰显——如船难、鞭打和被石头打——也同样借着一个看似更加“平凡”的身体软弱上显明出来（林后 12:7–10）。无论我们因信所承受的困难多么普通，都是神所悦纳的牺牲，他必按自己的旨意使用它们。
 
结论
        在今生，我们无法完全知道为何苦难是神计划的一部分。但我们可以知道，苦难并不仅仅是“必然的恶”。它是一种耶稣已经应许要加以救赎的邪恶（苦难），并且他正是藉着这一切来成就那救赎。正是通过他的受苦与死亡，苦难和死亡终将被吞灭，为所有神的子民带来永远的自由。而他也在我们的受苦中做工，让他人同样认识这种自由。
        我们所受苦难的救赎，尚未完全实现。有时，在软弱中，苦难远超过我们所能承受的。但有一天，当一切受苦结束时，我们将尝到基督无限的喜乐。到那日，我们将不再怀疑上帝在引导我们经历苦难时的良善，也不再怀疑他所引领我们的道路是值得的。
 
             Rhodes, Matt. Persecution in Missions: A Practical Theology.
            来源：Crossway communications@crossway.org，2026年1月5日 20:49.

Why Suffering for Christ Is More Than Just a “Necessary Evil”
Matt Rhodes

Theodicy 
You won’t go far in evangelistic conversations in the West today before someone asks you to explain the problem of theodicy: how it is that a good God could allow suffering in the world. Nor can you sit long in churches without hearing the topic addressed in some form. But it hasn’t always been that way. People in other parts of the world—in Muslim North Africa, for example, where my wife and I work—don’t share the West’s current preoccupation with questions of theodicy, nor have most people throughout history. Certainly, the Scriptures don’t give theodicy nearly the emphasis that Christian writers do today.
         In part, our modern focus on theodicy is appropriate, as it helps us respond to the questions of unbelievers around us. But we mustn’t forget that questions can be loaded. Ask a defendant in court, “Have you stopped beating your wife yet?” and his lawyer is sure to object, “Your honor, the question presupposes my client has beaten his wife.” The question needs to be reframed, not responded to. Questions about how a good God could allow suffering are loaded in the same way. They begin by presupposing God’s guilt and demand that we prove otherwise. This leaves room, at best, for him to be reluctantly acquitted. There’s little room left in such conversations to argue proactively for his goodness.

Reframing the Question
So how do the scriptures reframe questions of theodicy? They begin by reminding us how little we know. Rather than answering Job’s questions about his goodness, God responds with his own questions:
      “Have the gates of death been revealed to you,
      or have you seen the gates of deep darkness?
      Have you comprehended the expanse of the earth?
      Declare, if you know all this.” (Job 38:17)
God is pointing out that his knowledge stretches infinitely past Job’s minuscule understanding. Job isn’t capable of understanding God’s actions. In the same way, when my three-year-old wanted to drink detergent this week, I didn’t answer his drawn-out “Why-y-y-y?” He doesn’t know what poison is, or an emergency room, or death; he isn’t capable of understanding my decision. And “Why-y-y-y?” is a loaded question. It’s toddler-level theodicy: “How could a good dad stop me from drinking that yummy-looking stuff?”
        Now, the Scriptures may not detail for us why God ordained for there to be suffering in the world, but they don’t avoid the subject altogether. Instead, they continue reframing the problem by focusing the discussion on what we can understand. They tell us a story about how suffering entered the world and how God is responding to it.
       There are multiple characters in this story and multiple levels of causation. The Scriptures remind us that God created the world without suffering and that suffering only appeared in the world after humanity rebelled against him and gave in to the devil’s lies. The devil has his own agenda in our suffering, and it couldn’t be more different than God’s. God’s agenda is to lead people to a promised land beyond suffering where he “will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore” (Rev. 21:4). The devil’s agenda, on the other hand, is to trap us in death and suffering forever.

Suffering as Satan’s Tool
Importantly, the devil not only wants death and suffering to be our eternal destiny, he also works through death and suffering to lead us there. Why does Satan want Job to suffer? Certainly, he finds malicious delight in Job’s pain, but he has a bigger prize at stake. “Stretch out your hand,” he says to God, “and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will curse you to your face” (Job 2:5). Satan hopes Job’s pain will make him think God has forsaken him. He hopes suffering will make Job lose his faith.
         When we suffer for our faith, this temptation is even more direct: “You’re all alone. Jesus can’t save you. If you hadn’t trusted him you wouldn’t be suffering right now.” That’s why Jesus warns Peter, “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail” (Luke 22:31). Jesus knows Satan is coming for Peter’s faith. In the terror of the crucifixion, Peter will be tempted to believe that Jesus’s enemies have won. Rather than trusting God for deliverance, Peter will lie to save himself. Satan hopes that when the chaff of Peter’s faith is sifted away, no wheat will be left. We repeatedly see Satan at work in this way in the New Testament. It’s through the church’s “suffering . . . throughout the world” that “the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour” (1 Pet. 5:8–9). And the author of Hebrews tells his persecuted readers that it’s “through fear of death” that the devil subjects people “to lifelong slavery” (Heb. 2:14–15).
       The fear of death still holds people in slavery today. In the parts of the world that remain least reached by the gospel, it’s not only false teaching but the threat of suffering that enslaves people. People are afraid to speak of Christ, afraid to hear his word, and afraid to believe. And even where the gospel is widely proclaimed, the fear of death—the gnawing worry that this short life is all there is, and has no point aside whatever brief pleasures we experience before it ends—stops many people from believing in Jesus.

Suffering for Christ to Bless Others
Thankfully, God doesn’t let the devil get the last word. God is at work in our sufferings too, as he is in all evils in the world, and he’s at work in them for good. Today, when Christians speak of how God brings good out of suffering, we tend to focus on the ways he uses it to refine our character. God certainly uses suffering to this end, but the New Testament describes our sufferings far more often as a sacrifice than it does as an exercise in character growth (see, e.g., Phil. 2:17; Col. 1:24; 1 Tim. 4:6). It often paints our sufferings as being offered to God for the sake of others (see, e.g., John 12:24, 15:13, Col. 1:24).
         How, then, do others benefit as we suffer for Christ? Paul explains, “We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our bodies” (2 Cor. 4:8–10).
         It’s through Paul’s sufferings that the power of Jesus’s resurrection life to sustain him is “manifested in [his] mortal flesh” for others to see. Paul’s sufferings enable him not only to tell people about Jesus’s power but also to show them his power. What could be more important? Where Satan uses suffering and the fear of death to undermine people’s faith and enslave them, our sufferings illumine the hope of resurrection and eternal reward that can set them free.
         Where Satan uses suffering and the fear of death to undermine people’s faith and enslave them, our sufferings illumine the hope of resurrection and eternal reward that can set them free.
Moreover, Paul describes the Philippians, on whose faith he is being “poured out as a drink offering” (Phil 2:17), as “my joy and crown” (Phil 4:1). The brothers and sisters who are strengthened by our sufferings are a part of the eternal reward—the “crown” that gives us courage to suffer for Christ. It’s not only the hope of eternal life but of eternal life together with Jesus and these brothers and sisters that drives us onward when suffering would otherwise be too much to bear.
       Your sufferings need not be especially great or heroic for Christ’s power to be seen in them. God’s power was not only revealed in Paul’s “extraordinary” sufferings—shipwrecks, beatings, and stonings—but also through an ostensibly far more “ordinary” physical ailment (2 Cor. 12:7–10). Whatever difficulties we bear in faith as we follow Christ are acceptable sacrifices to God, and he will use them for his purposes.

Conclusion
This side of eternity, we can’t know completely why suffering in the world was a part of God’s plan. But we can know that suffering isn’t merely a necessary evil. It’s an evil that Jesus has promised to redeem and through which he works to bring that redemption. It’s through his suffering and death that suffering and death will be swallowed up one day, for all God’s people, forever. And he’s at work in our sufferings to help others know that freedom, too. The redemption of our suffering isn’t yet complete. Sometimes, in our weakness, suffering is far heavier than we can bear. But one day, when sufferings are over, we’ll taste Christ’s infinite joy. There will be no room left on that day to doubt that God was good to lead us through suffering, or that the road was worth it.
         Matt Rhodes is the author of Persecution in Missions: A Practical Theology.
         From Crossway <communications@crossway.org>Jan 5, 2026, 8:49 PM to me. 

“同工分享日”心得体会

 
         按照我们教会的传统，每年最后一个主日是“同工分享日”。借此机会，我们感谢众同工的服侍，并激励每位弟兄姐妹更好地在神家中服侍。
          2025年同工分享日的主题：“在身体里服侍”。经文：林前12：12-27，西3：23。
          教会共有十二位弟兄姐妹作了分享，年龄从最小的十岁同工，到七十八岁的资深仆人。在主的愛中，我们彼此联结，看见每一位弟兄姐妹都积极参与服侍。一位弟兄说：“许多教会往往是 20% 的人承担了 80% 的服侍；但在我们教会，至少有 80% 的弟兄姐妹都在参与服侍”。我也想补充一句：我们教会100%的人都在服侍。其中，80%的人在台前服侍，20%的人在幕后服侍。弟兄姐妹或代祷、或奉献、或支持、或默默与人分享福音、或摆放或收起桌椅，我们都在做主的工。无论是台前还是幕后，事奉无小事（nothing is too small），每一样服侍都是主所悦纳的，实在值得感恩！
        通过弟兄姐妹的分享，我总结几点：

• 我们共同寻求异象

        箴言 29:18 说：“没有异象，民就放肆。”我们的总体方向很清楚：主自己就是我们的异象。因此，教会全年的主题是 “仰望耶稣”（来 12:1–2）。
          魏牧师提到，教会当以基督为中心、以愛为准绳，成为一个传福音、合一相愛、彼此代祷的教会。当然，我们的教会一定需要找到自己的聚会场所。
        有弟兄分享：教会的团契必须建立在愛与真理上。他也鼓励更多弟兄勇敢站出来，一同分享异象，参与建造，靠主共同复兴祂的教会。

• 我们各样的服侍都要指向主

          教会中一切的服侍，都是为主而做，不是为人而做。为人做，越做越累；为主做，越做越喜乐。教会每次聚餐都预备得丰盛有余。弟兄姐妹在每个主日都积极配合，轮流带零食、清扫卫生。按安排，每个家庭一年大约两次负责准备零食、三次参与清洁服侍。每个主日，都有同工早早来到教会，预备音响设备，摆放圣经和周报，烧好热水，准备咖啡，为聚会顺利进行默默付出。有一位姐妹分享说，若没有圣灵的感动，人凭自己实在不能结出果子。当主感动她每日坚持通过微信发送经文灵修时，滴水穿石，福音的种子便在人的心中悄然撒下，慢慢孕育、发芽，产生影响。

• 儿童青少年不是教会的未来，而是教会的今天

         感恩主预备了Chris 弟兄服侍我们的青少年。我们的儿童和青少年在教会中的各样服侍鼓舞着我们。他们的服侍包括司琴、VBS 宣教分享、每次聚餐分发食物等。在薪火相传项目中，青少年教儿童，儿童教小小朋友，小小朋友也可以与幼儿分享。神家接力棒的火炬正在传递。有位小朋友引用保罗的话说：“不可叫人小看你年轻；总要在言语、行为、愛心、信心、清洁上，都作信徒的榜样”（提前4：12）。

• 加强内部事奉

          保罗说：“若有人不愛主，这人可诅可咒”（林前 16:22）。保罗并不是在咒诅人，而是在陈述一项属灵事实：当人不愛主时，必然是在愛自己或愛世界里；而愛自己、愛世界的结果，就是使人落在咒诅之中。
         教会每周有主日崇拜、主日学、慕道班、周五团契、周三祷告会，以及每日晨祷，构成教会正常的属灵生活。我们不是因服侍而愛主，而是因愛主而服侍；也不愿把这些聚会当作例行公事，而是以生命来回应主、事奉主。

• 向外拓展

        传福音是主托付给教会的大使命。有位牧者曾说：“不传福音的教会是自杀的教会；每位弟兄姐妹都积极传福音，教会才不会内耗。”我们要抓住每一次事工与活动的机会——无论是复活节、圣诞节、母亲节、教会特会，还是 VBS——积极邀请人参加，勇敢与人分享福音。
         教会将继续安排为耶稣举牌（英文、中文、西班牙语）的外展行动，向万国万民分享福音。我们不问结果，只问忠心耕耘；行善不可丧志，到了时候就必有收成。
         展望 2026 年，我想挑战每一位家人：每个人都要找到一种圣灵亲自指教、适合你与人分享福音的方式；每个人每天都要在祷告中为 3–5 位慕道友的救恩代求；并且坚持不懈地传福音，忠心回应主的大使命。

• 在挑战中前进

            散会后，有一位姐妹分享说：“听到大家的见证，最大的感受是——每个人都有挑战。”是的，每个人都有挑战，这些挑战都是主按着我们各人所能承受的程度量给我们的。切记：当我们要为主做工时，也会受到仇敌的攻击。当我们要产生天国影响力时，仇敌不会高兴。但当我们能够识别仇敌的诡计，靠着主勇敢地冲过去，随后所经历的，往往是从主而来的喜乐。
         前些日子，一位弟兄在晨祷会上分享：有一个主日，教会安排他女儿受浸，但当天早晨孩子突然又拉又吐。他迫切祷告后，凭信心仍带女儿来到教会。当孩子受完浸礼后，她就完全康复了。
          面对挑战，我们不是靠自己，而是靠主去战胜；也正是在挑战中，我们学习更深地信靠主，坚持不懈地服侍上帝，生命也因此被主塑造和更新。
  结语：
         路加福音 17:10中说：“这样，你们作完了一切所吩咐的，只当说：我们是无用的仆人，所作的本是我们应分作的。”
         在做完工之后，中国人喜欢说：“你受累了！”“你辛苦了！”主的儿女应该说：“你蒙福了！”“你有福了！”
哈利路亚，神的儿女何等有福！事奉上帝何等有福！ 

1/4/26 Pastor’s Word
“Coworker Sharing Day” Reflection
  

         According to our church tradition, the last Sunday of each year is designated as “Coworker Sharing Day”. On this day, we take the opportunity to thank all the coworkers for their service and to encourage every brother and sister to serve more faithfully in God’s house.
         The theme for the 2025 Coworker Sharing Day was “Serving in the Body.” Scripture references: 1 Corinthians 12:12-27; Colossians 3:23.
        The church had a total of twelve brothers and sisters sharing, ranging in age from the youngest coworker at ten years old to the most senior servant at seventy-eight. In the love of the Lord, we are united, and we can see that every brother and sister actively participates in service. One brother said, “Many churches often have 20% of the people doing 80% of the service, but in our church, at least 80% of the brothers and sisters are involved in serving.” I would like to add: 100% of our church members are serving. Of these, 80% serve on the front, and 20% serve behind the scenes. Brothers and sisters may serve by praying, giving, supporting, constantly sharing the gospel, or setting up or putting away tables or chairs. We are all engaged in the Lord’s work. Whether on the front or behind the scenes, nothing is too small, and every act of service is pleasing to the Lord. Truly, this is worthy of thanksgiving!
        Through the sharing of brothers and sisters, I have summarized a few things:
        1. We Seek Vision Together
        Proverbs 29:18 says, “Where there is no vision, the people perish.” Our general direction is clear: the Lord Himself is our vision (bold). Therefore, the theme of the church for the entire year is “Fixing Our Eyes on Jesus” (Heb. 12:1–2).
         Rev. Ron mentioned that the church should be Christ-centered and love-guided, becoming a church that proclaims the gospel, is united in love, and prays for one another. Of course, our church certainly needs to find our own place of worship.
         One brother shared that the church’s fellowship must be built on love and truth. He also encouraged more brothers to courageously stand up, share visions, and participate in building, trusting the Lord to revive His church together with us.
         2. All Our Service Points to the Lord (bold)
         All services in the church are for the Lord, not for people. Serving for people leads to weariness, but serving for the Lord brings joy. Every church meal is prepared abundantly. Brothers and sisters actively cooperate every Sunday, taking turns bringing snacks and cleaning. Each family is scheduled to provide snacks about twice a year and assist in cleaning three times a year. Every Sunday, coworkers arrive early to prepare sound equipment, arrange Bibles and bulletins, boil water, and prepare coffee, quietly ensuring the smooth running of the gathering.
          One sister shared that without the guidance of the Holy Spirit, one cannot bear fruit by oneself. When the Lord led her to consistently send daily devotionals via WeChat, dripping water wears through stone, and the seeds of the gospel quietly took root and sprouted in people’s hearts over time.
         3. Children and youth are not the church of the future, but the church of today
       We thank the Lord for preparing Brother Chris to serve our youth. The service of our children and youth inspires us all. Their service includes playing piano, sharing mission stories in VBS, distributing food at each gathering, and more. In the “passing the torch” program, youth teach children, children teach the little ones, and even the youngest can share with toddlers. The torch of God’s house is being passed on. One child quoted Paul: “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, and in purity” (1 Tim. 4:12).
         4. Strengthen Church Ministries
         Paul said, “If anyone does not love the Lord, let him be accursed” (1 Cor. 16:22). Paul is not cursing people; he is stating a spiritual truth: when people do not love the Lord, they inevitably love themselves or the world, and loving self and the world results in falling under a curse.
         The church has weekly worship, Sunday School, evangelism classes, Friday fellowships, Wednesday prayer meetings, and daily morning prayers, forming the regular spiritual life of the church. We do not love the Lord because we serve; we serve because we love the Lord. We do not want to treat these gatherings as routine, but to respond with our lives and serve the Lord.
             5. Outreach
         Evangelism is the great commission entrusted to the church by the Lord. One pastor once said, “A church that does not evangelize is a self-destructive church; a church where every brother and sister actively shares the gospel will not experience internal conflict.” Therefore, we seize every opportunity in ministries and activities—whether Easter, Christmas, Mother’s Day, church special meetings, or VBS—to actively invite people and courageously share the gospel.
        The church will continue organizing Holding Jesus Banners in English, Chinese, and Spanish, sharing the gospel with all nations. We do not ask about results; we focus on faithful sowing. Do not lose heart in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest.
         Looking ahead to 2026, I want to challenge every member: each person should find a way, led personally by the Holy Spirit, to share the gospel; each person should daily pray for 3–5 the lost on their prayer list; and each person should persistently evangelize, faithfully responding to the Lord’s great commission.
         6. Press On Through Challenges
         After the meeting, a sister shared, “Hearing everyone’s testimonies, the greatest feeling is that everyone has challenges.” Indeed, every person faces challenges, and these are measured by the Lord according to what each can bear. Remember, when we serve the Lord, we will also face the enemy’s attacks. When we seek to impact the kingdom, the enemy is not pleased. But when we can recognize the enemy’s schemes and bravely push forward through the Lord, the joy that follows comes from Him.
         A few days ago, a brother shared during morning prayer: on a certain Sunday, the church had scheduled his daughter’s baptism, but that morning she became ill. He prayed earnestly and, in faith, still brought her to church. After her baptism, she was completely healed.
         Facing challenges, we rely not on ourselves but on the Lord to overcome. It is precisely through challenges that we learn to trust Him more deeply, serve Him persistently, and allow our lives to be shaped and renewed by the Lord.
        In short, Luke 17:10 says, “So you also, when you have done everything you were told, say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.’”
         After finishing work, Chinese people like to say, “You have been laboring hard!” or “That you are made to bear toil!” God’s children should say instead: “You are blessed!” or “You are so blessed!”  
         Hallelujah! How blessed are God’s children! How blessed it is to serve the Lord!

魏愛玲師母
2025 年 12 月 23 日感恩节聚会见证

亲愛的教会家人们：
        上个主日，在我们秋季特会结束的时候，我坐在那里聆听杨牧师的讲道。忽然，当我看到大家都专心聆听神话语的那一刻，我的心被极大的感恩充满。我立刻意识到，这是一个很深、很强烈的感动，我知道那是圣灵在提醒我。我们刚刚度过了一个极其蒙福的秋季特会周末。讲道之后，许多人来到前面请求代祷，愿意更深地把自己献给主，委身于祂的国度工作，也立志更真实地为祂而活；还有一些人渴望认识耶稣，接受祂作救主。
        希伯来书 10:25 说：“你们不可停止聚会，好像那些停止惯了的人，倒要彼此劝勉；既知道那日子临近，就更当如此。” 这节经文鼓励我们这些信徒，要面对面地聚在一起，彼此扶持、彼此鼓励，因为我们每个人在人生中都会面对困难与挣扎。
        当我看到大家为感恩节愛筵忙碌预备时，那真是一幅喜乐又温馨的画面。姐妹们忙着把一道道菜摆上桌。我周六下午离开时，宏岚还在厨房；周日早晨我来到教会时，她仍然在厨房里！我对她说：“宏岚，你是不是在厨房里过夜了？”我真心感谢她付出的辛劳。其实，大家都非常辛苦！所以，我要谢谢你们每一位，使这个周末如此美好！饭菜丰盛又美味！
        弟兄们则忙着搬桌椅、摆放会场。许多人彼此交谈、拥抱，或是结识新朋友；孩子们欢笑着、奔跑着。我心中充满感恩，因为你们在周五晚上、周六、并且周日仍然来到主日崇拜，甘心把整个周末献给主。这的确是一种付出与牺牲，但我相信，我们每一个人都因着这次特会被更新、被祝福。能够属于神的家、属于我们的教会，是何等美好的事！在这里，我们感到被接纳、被支持，也被人代祷。
       教会里有许多不同的服事方式：有些服事是在幕后，有些服事是显而易见的；有些需要事先长时间的预备，有些来自天然的恩赐；有些服事只是单纯地“在场”。但所有的服事，都需要一颗甘心乐意的心。
       你们也知道，在这次秋季特会中，我们为青少年安排了查经。内容是关于关系与愛——特别是与神之间健康、充满愛的关系，以及与他人之间健康、充满愛的关系。这次学习是建立在圣经中“最大的诫命”之上。马可福音 12:30–31 中，耶稣说：“你要尽心、尽性、尽意、尽力愛主你的神。其次就是说：要愛人如己。再没有比这两条诫命更大的了。” 这是耶稣引用了旧约申命记第六章的话。
         耶稣在这里清楚地告诉我们：我们要愛神，也要愛人。从一开始，神的心意就是让我们活在愛的关系中。如果我们真心要像马太福音第六章所说的那样，先求神的国和神的义，就必须学习如何愛神，也学习如何去愛人。而这一切，神都已经在祂的话语中清楚地教导我们。
       我们与青少年的查经也涉及了一些不容易、却非常重要的主题，比如：性、身份认同，以及当别人选择了一种危险、不讨神喜悦的生活方式时，我们该如何用愛去帮助他们。我们要显出恩慈与怜悯，却绝不能淡化、妥协神话语中的真理。我们需要重新坚定自己作为基督徒的信念与使命：我们是只为自己而活，还是为神而活？我们是追求个人的享乐，还是愿意把生命献上，为着一个更大的、永恒的目的？
        当我们把自己交给神，祂就赐给我们一颗新心、一个新生命——这是出于神的恩典与恩赐。当神的愛住在我们里面时，我们就能去愛别人，哪怕那些人并不容易去愛。
所以，亲愛的弟兄姐妹们，我们都知道自己要彼此相愛、彼此代祷，并且存着一颗感恩的心来生活。感恩节已经来到，我祷告我们每一个人都被感恩充满——为着神的愛与赦免，为着祂所赐的一切恩典，也为着我们这群宝贵的教会家人。
       让我们继续彼此聚集——为了祷告、为了敬拜、为了团契；让我们靠着主的帮助，一同追求在主里面不断成长、更加成熟。
       最后，魏牧师和我衷心祝愿大家：
       感恩节快乐，主恩满溢，平安喜乐！

Elinda West
Testimony for Thanksgiving Service Dec 23, 2025

          Church Family last Sunday at the end of our Fall Conference I was listening to Pastor Yang preaching. Suddenly as I just observed everyone paying attention to his preaching, I felt overwhelmed with thanksgiving for my church family.  I recognized this feeling as powerful and know it was the Holy Spirit reminding me.  We had a very blessed weekend in our Fall Conference.  Many came down to the front after the preaching to ask for prayer and to dedicate ourselves more fully to the Lord and to His Kingdom work and living more deeply for Him.  And some want to know Him as Savior.  
        Hebrews 10:25 says, “Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another–and all the more as you see the Day approaching!”  This verse is encouraging us as believers to meet together face to face for mutual encouragement and fellowship especially since we all face hardship and struggles in our lives.  
          As I observed the activity during preparation for the Thanksgiving Feast everyone was hurrying around and it was a joyful and happy sight. The sisters were getting all the food onto the table. Hong Lan was still in the kitchen when I left on Saturday afternoon and she was in the kitchen when I arrived Sunday morning!  I said, Honglan did you spend the night in this kitchen? I thanked her for all her hard work.  Everyone worked hard!  So, thank you to all of you for making it such a good weekend!  It was an abundant and delicious meal! The brothers were moving the tables and chairs into place.  Many were visiting or hugging one another or meeting new friends!  The children were squealing and running around. I felt so thankful for all of you giving up your weekend on Friday night, Saturday and coming to Sunday worship, TOO!   It was a sacrifice, but I think we were all changed by it and blessed by it!  It’s very good to belong to God’s Family, our church, where we feel welcome and supported and prayed for.  
        There are many ways to serve in the church.  Some service is ‘behind the scenes, some service is obvious, some service requires preparation in advance, some service comes from natural talent, some service requires just being here.  ALL service requires a WILLING HEART. 
         As you know we did a Bible Study with the youth for the Fall Conference. It was a study on relationships and love, especially a healthy loving relationship with God and a healthy loving relationship with other people. This study was based on the Greatest Commandment in God’s Word.  Remember in Mark 12:30-31Jesus said, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second (commandment) is this: Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these.”  He was quoting the Old Testament in Deuteronomy 6.  So, Jesus is saying we are to love God and love other people.  Jesus’ plan from the beginning was that we have loving relationships. If we want to seek God’s Kingdom first like Jesus tells us in Matthew 6, then we must learn how to love God and other people.  And He tells us how to do that in His Word!  Our study with the youth  included some difficult topics like our sexuality and where is our identity. And how do we help other people by our love when they are living a lifestyle that is dangerous and not pleasing to God. We show kindness and grace but we never water down the truth of God’s Word.  We needed to reinforce our beliefs and purpose as believers in Jesus Christ. Are we just living for ourselves or are we living for God? Are we living for our pleasure or will we give our life for a greater purpose? When we give ourselves to God He gives us a new heart, a new life. This is a divine gift.  When we have God’s love in us we can love other people even when they aren’t easy to love. 
          So, brothers and sisters, we all know we are to love one another and pray for one another and live with a thankful heart.  Thanksgiving week is here and I pray that all of us will be filled with a thankful heart for God’s love and forgiveness and for all our blessings AND for our Beloved Church Family. Let’s keep on… meeting together… for prayer and for worship and for fellowship.  Let’s all strive to be better with our Lord’s help.
         Wei Mushr and I wish you all a VERY HAPPY AND BLESSED THANKSGIVING

人工智能会议

         上周二（12 月 15 日），我参加了阿肯色浸信会州联会在康威第二浸信会（Conway Second Baptist Church）举办的人工智能会议(AI)会议。会议旨在探讨人工智能等新兴科技如何与事工、教育及日常生活产生交集。大会的祈祷是：希望这段共同学习的时间既能激发人心，也能装备众人，使我们能以荣耀基督、推进教会使命的方式使用这些工具。
       大会有两位讲员：
       Dr. Katie Fruge：德州浸信会州联会文化参与中心与基督徒生活委员会主任，主要帮助教会从圣经角度回应当下文化议题。
      Naftali Alverio Jr.：Lifeway 科技与数字创新副总裁，与 IT 团队合作制定科技战略蓝图，推动效率提升及以福音为中心的创新。

第一堂课：智能发展的轨迹
      Alverio 指出，本次培训的目的是为牧者和事工领袖提供理解人工智能进展的基础，使他们能够装备参与文化、牧养会众。
       AI 定义：
       “利用计算机系统，通过观察数据、识别模式、作出预测，并生成有帮助的应用，模拟获取与运用知识和技能的能力。”
     他提醒大家要正视 AI 对人类生活的深刻影响。正如 NVIDIA 总裁 Jensen Huang 所说：
  “十年之后回头看，你会意识到 AI 已融入生活每个层面。事实上，我们到处都需要 AI——每个地区、产业、国家、公司都需要。”Alphabet 总裁 Sundar Pichai 也说： “AI 是人类最重要的工作之一，其意义比电或火更深远。”
      Alverio 指出：简单任务可委派给能够独立执行的 AI；设备端 AI 的进步，将推动实用、可负担、广泛采用的机器人技术。但他同时强调：神仍掌权，教会不应惧怕未来（箴 16:4；提后 1:7）。他引用2019年美南浸信会伦理与宗教自由委员会（ERLC）的声明：
       “基督徒不必惧怕未来或任何科技发展，因为我们知道神至高无上地掌管历史，没有任何事物能取代人类按神形象被造的事实。”

第二堂课：数码时代的圣经智慧
       Fruge 强调：AI 已影响教会会友及其家庭。我们必须带着“需要救赎与纠正”的眼光管理 AI，就像对待堕落世界的任何其他产品一样。
      她举例说明 AI 对青少年心理的困扰，并引用两篇文章：

• “OpenAI launches parental controls in ChatGPT after California teen’s suicide”
• OpenAI 在 ChatGPT 中推出家长监护功能”
• “The Emerging Problem of ‘AI Psychosis’”

“ ‘AI 精神病’这一新兴问题”
       核心观点：“神是真理的神。生成式 AI 是一个‘概率引擎’，它关注的是‘看起来合理’，而不是真实。”
      最佳实践（Best Practices）：

• AI 作为辅助, 而非人造替代。人造替代（Synthetic）与道成肉身（Incarnational）相反。
• AI 应支持事工，而不能取代事工。
• 提供资源，但不能取代研究。美德（Virtue）来自思想的劳作。尊重工作的终极目标（Telos），培养深度思考与属灵成熟。
• 设防与益处（Boundaries and Benefits）。在事工中建立清晰使用界限与期望。
• 识别 AI 带来的国度性机会，作为辅助工具而非中心。

        她以雅各书 1:5 总结：“你们中间若有缺少智慧的，应当求那厚赐与众人也不斥责人的神，主就必赐给他。”

第三堂课：在人工智能时代忠心并结出果子
       Alverio 提问：既然科技影响巨大，创造人类的神与科技的关系是什么？
       要点：科技有源头：万有（包括科技）出于神的护理与赐予（罗 11:36；西 1:16）。
       科技可能被扭曲，也可能被罪恶利用，如创世记 11:1–8 巴别塔。但神仍掌权。即便有时人们会以最邪恶的方式利用这些科技，但神依然掌权；任何科技发展最终不能挫败神的计划或祂的百姓（赛 54:17）。科技使用要反映我们的信念，即我们不是要逃避工作；我们追求丰盛工（fruitful work），而不仅仅是完成任务（创 2:18）。
      AI 不是万能答案：我们对其在一定程度上信任，但要核实（Trust but verify），最终真理在神话语中。R.C. Sproul说：“真理不是由大众意见或 AI 回答决定，而是由神的话语决定。
      AI 实践应用：

1. 预备：头脑风暴、协助研究、学习
2. 内容制作：制作学习指南、讲义归类、视觉材料
3. 媒体：影音编辑
4. 沟通：语言支持与翻译

     他建议牧者同工们要在祷告中参与，按圣经分辨，并带着信心牧养。

第四堂课：数字世界中的信仰之家
       Fruge 指出：跨越世代差异，科技在连接、联合，也可能在很大程度上分裂人群。在 AI 时代，真实群体的必要性更加凸显。
     “你不可能被一个算法管教、被爱或成圣。” 真实群体，只发生在真实之中。在这个时代中，她特别强调上帝赐予的真正教会、真实团契、真实灵性交通的重要。
      数字时代的门徒训练：

1. 不要恐慌，神并不因 ChatGPT 惊讶或担忧。
2. 有意识地使用科技，促进面对面聚集，而非取代。
3. 与人建立真实团契（communion），不仅仅是对话（conversation），追求真实智能（authentic intelligence）。

    会议期间，联会记者采访我几个问题。我的回答如下：

1. 你会用 AI 准备整篇讲章吗？

          答：不会，绝对不会。（讲章必须依靠圣灵、许多祷告和深入研究圣经等）。

1. 你会用 AI 做什么？

          答：查找经文、做翻译等，但一定要亲自校对核实。

1. 将来 AI 会信主吗？

          答：不会，永远不会。AI 只是先进工具，没有位格，也没有灵魂。

1. 你想对同工说什么？

          答：有人说，钱财是好奴才，坏主人。AI 也是如此：它是好秘书，却是坏老板。神设立按祂形象被造的人作‘老板’，AI 只是工具。善用它，它服侍你；误用它，它也会使你误入歧途。
       总之，AI 可以为不同观点提供数据，但最终真理只在上帝的话语里！”
       “耶和华啊，你的话安定在天，直到永远。”（诗 119:89）

AI Conference

        Last Tuesday (December 15), I attended an AI Conference at Conway Second Baptist Church hosted by the Arkansas Baptist State Convention. The purpose of the conference was to explore how emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence intersect with ministry, education, and daily life. The prayer of the gathering was that this time together would both inspire and equip people to use these tools in ways that honor Christ and advance the mission of the Church.

      The conference featured two main speakers:

·       Dr. Katie Fruge – Director of the Center for Cultural Engagement and the Christian Life Commission for the Baptist General Convention of Texas. She helps churches navigate contemporary cultural issues from a biblical perspective.

·       Naftali Alverio Jr. – Vice President of Technology and Digital Innovation at Lifeway. He collaborates with Lifeway’s IT leadership to develop a technology strategic blueprint, promoting productivity and gospel-centered innovation.

Session 1: An Intelligent Trajectory

      Alverio explained that the purpose of the training was to provide pastors and ministry leaders with a foundation to understand advances in artificial intelligence, enabling them to engage culture and shepherd their congregations effectively.

        He defined AI as:

      “The use of computer systems to simulate the ability to acquire and apply knowledge and skills by observing data, identifying patterns, making predictions, and generating helpful applications.”

      He emphasized the profound impact AI is having on human life. Quoting NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang:

      “I promise in ten years, you will look back and you realize that AI has now integrated into everything. And in fact, we need AI everywhere. And every region, every industry, every country, every company, all needs AI.”

       Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai also said:

     “AI is one of the most important things humanity is working on. It is more profound than electricity or fire.”

       Alverio noted that simple tasks can be delegated to AI agents capable of independent and reliable execution, and advances in on-device AI will enable practical, affordable, and widely adopted robotics. Yet he emphasized that God remains sovereign, and the Church should never fear the future (Prov. 16:4; 2 Tim. 1:7). He quoted the 2019 ERLC Evangelical Statement of Principles on AI:

        “Christians must not fear the future or any technological development because we know that God is, above all, sovereign over history, and that nothing will ever supplant the image of God in which human beings are created.”

Session 2: Biblical Wisdom in the Digital Age

       Fruge stressed that AI is already affecting church members and their families. Therefore, AI must be stewarded with the expectation that it requires redemption and correction, just like any other product of fallen humanity.

      She cited concerns about adolescent mental health and referenced two articles:

·       “OpenAI launches parental controls in ChatGPT after California teen’s suicide”

·       “The Emerging Problem of ‘AI Psychosis’”

     Her main point:

     “God is the God of truth. Generative AI is a probabilistic engine—it cares about what is plausible, not what is true.”

     Best Practices:

·       Support, not synthetic – Synthetic (human replacement) is contrary to the incarnational principle. AI should support ministry, not replace it.

·       Resource, not research – Virtue comes from the labor of thought. Respect the telos of work to cultivate deep thinking and spiritual maturity.

·       Boundaries and benefits – Establish clear expectations and limits for AI usage in ministry.

·       Identify kingdom-building opportunities, using AI as a supportive tool rather than a center of focus.

      She summarized with James 1:5: “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.”

Session 3: Faithful and Fruitful in the Age of AI

      Alverio asked: given the influence of technology, what is the relationship between the Creator of humanity and technology?

      Key points:

·       Technology has a source – All things, including technology, are providentially given by God (Rom. 11:36; Col. 1:16).

·       Technology can be perverted – It can be misused by sin, as in the Tower of Babel (Gen. 11:1–8).

·       God’s sovereignty remains – Even the most evil uses of technology remain under God’s control; no technology can ultimately thwart God’s plan or His people (Isa. 54:17).

         Technology use must reflect our convictions. According to Gen. 2:18, our goal is not to avoid work, but to pursue fruitful work, not merely task completion.

        AI is not the ultimate answer. Our stance should be “trust but verify.” Scripture remains our final authority. R.C. Sproul said:

        “Truth is not determined by popular opinion < or popular AI answers>; it is determined by the Word of God.”

AI Practical Applications:

1.     Preparation – brainstorming, research, study

2.     Content creation – study guides, handouts, visuals

3.     Media – video and audio editing

4.     Communication – language support and translation

He advised ministry leaders to engage prayerfully, discern biblically, and shepherd confidently.

波阿斯还是小丑？

按着大卫王的家谱，耶稣是波阿斯和路得的直系后裔 路得和波阿斯的婚礼 Jesus is a direct descendant of Boaz and Ruth through the lineage of King David  Ruth and Boaz Wedding

约瑟、马利亚和耶稣 Joseph, Mary and Jesus

  到明年五月，我和大卫将迎来结婚29周年。他一直在写给我的卡片上签名“愛你的，波阿斯（Boaz）”，而我也一直在写给他的卡片上签名“愛你的，路得（Ruth）”。在圣经中，《路得记》是一个关于委身的最美愛情故事。我和大卫的故事，也与他们颇为相似。
         路得曾是寡妇，而我曾被遗弃；我们都曾经不再被愛、不再被珍惜。但对我们两位来说，这并不是悲伤的故事，而是一个拥有幸福结局的故事。

所以，请坚持下去……
      当波阿斯与路得相遇时，他立刻被她的美丽与善良吸引。但依照当时的习俗，波阿斯并非第一位有资格娶路得的人；另有一位更近亲的男子比他更有优先权。波阿斯便去询问那位男子是否愿意娶路得为妻；若娶，照顾她的婆婆则是不得不选择的“配套条件”。那人一听要承担照顾婆婆的责任，便说：“那我就不要了。”尽管路得美丽、善良、敬虔，那人仍不愿承担责任。
       当大卫开始喜欢我时，就像路得一样——我也带着家庭责任一起“嫁过来”。但他无条件地愛我。我们结婚后，他承担起照顾他八岁的女儿、还有我四岁的外孙女的责任。
       多年以后，我年迈的母亲开始到我们家与我们同住，一年住六个月（另外六个月在我妹妹帕姆和她的“波阿斯”丈夫罗伯家），我们前后照顾她八年之久。后来，我亲生的外孙出生，我们从他七个月大时就将他带来抚养至今。他现在已经20岁了。大卫愛他视如己出，是一见钟情般的愛。当他12岁时，我们正式收养了他。
         你有女儿吗？你有儿子吗？你若有女儿，为她的未来丈夫祷告，使他成为一个“波阿斯”是智慧的；你若有儿子，你应当培养他成为一个“波阿斯”。你会问，什么是“波阿斯”？对我而言，“波阿斯”的定义就是今日语言中的“可靠、有担当的真男人”。
        波阿斯是路得的“至亲救赎者”，意味着他愿替代那不愿接纳路得的人，承担路得和她所带来的一切。波阿斯愛路得，因此他渴望娶她，无论代价如何。而大卫就是我的“至亲救赎者”。当我被遗弃时，他接纳了我；他也接纳了我的母亲、我的外孙女、他的女儿以及我的外孙——后来成为我们的孩子——他接纳这一切时毫不犹豫。
         故事的幸福结局是：路得和我都得到了我们的“波阿斯”Boaz，而不是“Bozo（小丑）”。这得以发生，只因为我们选择“等候上帝”来完成我们的故事。
           当你收到这张卡片，请知道，我们为你祷告。
       女士们，我愿你生命中也拥有一个波阿斯；若尚未拥有，愿将来遇见。
       男士们，我盼望你们都能成为波阿斯般的人，就像大卫——我的“真男人”。

圣诞快乐！从我们家到你家
 David、Sandi 和 Rett 敬上

注：Sandi是我们在奥克拉荷马的老朋友。我们每年收到的第一份圣诞卡和圣诞信一定是她寄来的。她今年写的圣诞信“波阿斯还是小丑？”沁人心肺，字里行间洋溢着基督愛里的温暖与祝福，以及“真男人”的委身与担当。当我们庆祝基督降生时，愿这份主里的愛也融化你的心。
（李春海）

 David & I have been married for 29 years this coming May. He has always signed his cards to me, “Love, Boaz” & I have always signed mine to him, “Love, Ruth.” In the Bible, the book of Ruth is the most beautiful love story of commitment ever told. Mine and David’s story is similar to theirs. 
         Ruth was a widow, I was discarded; so, we both were no longer loved or cared for. This is not a sad story for either of us. It is a story with a happy ending.  

So, hang in there….. 
         When Boaz crossed paths with Ruth, he immediately was drawn to her beauty and kindness.  But, back in those days, he was 2nd in line as a suiter. There was another man who had the right to marry her. Boaz went to the man and asked if he was interested in Ruth as a wife. If he had been, he would have had to take care of her mother-in-law as part of the “package deal.” He said, “In that case, no.” Even though  Ruth was a beautiful, kind, Christian woman, he did not want to have the responsibility of caring for her mother-in-law.  
         When David became interested in me, I, like Ruth came with some family commitments. He loved me no matter what. We got married & he took responsibility for his daughter, who was 8 years old, & my granddaughter, who was 4 years old. 
         As the years when by, my elderly mother came to live with us 6 months out of the year (my sister, Pam & her “Boaz” husband, Rob, had Mom for the other 6 months) for 8 years we cared for her in our homes. When my biological grandson was born, we took him to raise from the age of 7 months old until this day. He is 20 now. David loves him as though he was his own child, it was an instant love at first sight.  We adopted him when he turned 12. 
         Do you have daughters? Do you have sons? If you do have a daughter, it would be wise for you to be praying for her future husband to be a “Boaz.” If you have a son, you should be raising him to be a “Boaz.” What is a Boaz? You asked. To me the definition of a “Boaz” is “a stand-up guy,” in today’s language. 
           Boaz was a “Kinsman Redeemer” for Ruth. That meant he took the place of the man that did not want her & anyone else that came with her. Boaz loved Ruth, so it was his heart’s desire to marry her, no matter what. David was my “Kinsman Redeemer” who took me to love, when I was discarded. He also took, my mother, my granddaughter, his daughter, and my grandson…..who became our child….with not even a hint of hesitation. 
            The happy ending to this story is, Ruth & I got “Boaz,” when it was possible we could have ended up with “Bozo.”  That only happened, because we chose to “wait on God” to finish our stories. 

            When you receive this card, know that we prayed for you.  
           Ladies, I hope you have a Boaz in your life, and if not, that someday you will. 
           Men, I hope you represent Boaz in every way, just like David, my “stand up guy.” 


Merry Christmas from our house to yours, 
 David, Sandi and Rett 

被呼召成为得胜者
魏师母
2025年10月28日 晨更祷告会分享

 
经文：约翰一书 5:4-5；罗马书 8:35-37；约翰福音 16:33；启示录 21:7；哥林多后书 1:3-4
        一位牧师曾写道：“我们都希望每天都是好日子！但如果每天都是好日子，其实就没有所谓‘好日子’，因为没有坏日子来衬托……疾病让我们更懂得珍惜健康；失败让我们更懂得珍惜成功；缺乏让我们更懂得珍惜富足；艰难让我们更懂得珍惜顺境…… 逆境（ADVERSITY）往往是一个机会，让我们里面的美善被带出来，当然它也可能带出我们的软弱，但在神的帮助下，让我们不要（DON’T）让那种情况发生！逆境可以（CAN）成为化妆的祝福。
        神没有应许我们过一个没有问题的生活，但祂应许我们：在困难的日子里，我们可以在耶稣里得着平安！我们常幻想没有问题、没有冲突、没有挑战的生活是什么样，但那反而可能危害我们的健康，尤其是属灵健康！在身体健康方面，如果我们不活动、不锻炼，很快就会失去肌肉量和骨密度。我们都知道这一点……因为当人长期生病，就会看到这样的结果。在美国，许多年长者因为疼痛而常常久坐不动，但如果坐得太久、动得太少，反而会更痛，最后甚至无法行动！也许我们真的需要一些逆境，尽管我们不喜欢它。我听过一句话说：“神最常使用的人，往往是那些经历了最多逆境的人。”
        这不是我们想听的，但却是真理。有位在美国的姊妹浮现在我脑海中。她叫 Joni。青少年时，她跳入湖中，不慎折断颈椎，从颈部以下终生瘫痪。她现在七十多岁了。这是一场悲剧，她也曾愤怒、沮丧，但她选择信靠主，主加力量给她。虽一生受苦，但她却拥有极有能力的见证，鼓励了成千上万的人。她能说话，所以她在网上教导，也参加聚会分享。她用嘴巴含着画笔创作精美画作，也写书、写诗。
          若查“得胜（OVERCOME）”的意思，会发现它有制服、胜过、胜利之意。在世上我们必有许多试炼，但没有什么是我们的神不能胜过的！得胜者（Overcomers）是那些属基督的人，他们胜过世界体系的权势和试探。得胜者不是无罪的人！但他们持守对基督的信心直到最后。当环境艰难时，他们不转身退后。得胜需要我们完全依靠神来引导、指示、成全，并赐力量让我们遵行祂的计划。逆境能让我们有更深的能力来服事神。为什么？因为逆境使我们像 Joni 一样转向神、倚靠神、寻求神，并以我们原本不会经历的方式更深地认识神。
        圣经中许多最伟大的应许都以这几个字开始：“那得胜的（to him who overcomes）。” 今天读的经文说：“因为凡从神生的，就胜过（overcomes）世界；使我们胜了世界的，就是我们的信心。”（约一 5:4-5）谁能胜过世界呢？只有信耶稣是神儿子的！所以我们被呼召（CALLED）成为得胜者（OVERCOMERS）！
        罗马书 8:35-37 提醒我们：患难、困苦都不能使我们与神的爱隔绝。37 节说：“……靠着爱我们的主，在这一切的事上已经得胜有余（more than conquerors）了。” 神那主权且不变的爱，能保守我们这些信祂的人！你生命中哪里需要这些真理所带来的医治之力？你在哪里需要神的拯救？请记住：你必定得胜（shall OVERCOME），因为你的天父自己就是那得胜者（the OVERCOMER）！赞美主！因祂的牺牲，我们看见并经历了祂深切的爱。
       信心是胜过世界的力量！祂赐我们属天的力量，使我们成为得胜者！耶稣要我们得平安，因为祂深知：直到祂再来之前……这个世界是战场，不是游乐场！耶稣在约翰福音 16:33 告诉我们：这世界是破碎的，我们会有患难。我们必须穿戴神的全副军装，站立得稳！耶稣说：“但你们可以放心（被鼓励），我已经胜了（I have overcome）世界！” 即使我们尽力忠心，依旧会有挣扎。我们如何回应？继续忠心！感谢神，祂藉着我们的主耶稣基督赐给我们得胜。
       我们是“教会”，是神的家，是信徒的身体。我们承认耶稣是应许中的弥赛亚、是救主！教会藉着遵行神的命令来见证我们的信仰。这样的顺服胜过（OVERCOMES）世界不信者所带来的生活方式试探。我们只有靠信靠基督，而不是倚靠自己，才能顺服。顺服的动机是爱神，并将这爱延伸给每一个人！我们彼此扶持、彼此祷告。顺服、信心与爱，使教会成为真正的群体！启示录 21:7 说：“得胜的（He who overcomes）必承受这些为业；我要作他的神，他要作我的儿子。” 所以，基督的教会是一群恒久、得胜的（OVERCOMING）子民。有一天，一切的问题、逼迫都会过去。神所保守的子民必得着他们的产业！弟兄姊妹，请得到激励……我们里面有圣灵，祂使我们能够胜过（OVERCOME）一切仇敌的攻击！
        你知道吗？神愿意“回收”（recycle）你的逆境，把它变成一个事工。人会经历非常痛苦的事，但神可以帮助我们从深坑中出来，好叫我们去帮助别人。我们的问题不会使我们失去被神使用的资格。我们不渴望悲剧或逆境，但从中却能生出益处。试炼反而帮助我们重新找到生命的目的。神带我们走过的那些苦难，成为我们站立并服事他人的平台。
“愿颂赞归与我们的主耶稣基督的父神，就是那慈悲的父、赐各样安慰的神！祂在我们一切患难中安慰我们，叫我们能用神所赐的安慰去安慰遭遇各样患难的人。”（林后 1:3-4）这是我的分享，我们一起祷告!

CALLED TO OVERCOME
Elinda West
Sharing at Early Morning Prayer on 10/28/2025
 

1 John  5:4-5; Romans 8: 35-37; John 16:33; Revelation 21:7: 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
         A pastor wrote: “All of us want every day to be a good day! But if every day was a good day, there would be NO ‘Good Days”, because there wouldn’t be any bad days to compare the good days to…… Sickness helps us appreciate health. Failure helps us appreciate success.  Debt helps us appreciate wealth. And the tough times help us appreciate the good times…. 
ADVERSITY is often an opportunity to bring the good out of us and of course it can bring bad out of us too, but with God’s help let’s DON’T let that happen!  Adversity CAN be a blessing in disguise. 
        We are not promised a trouble-free life, but we are promised we can have peace in Jesus when life is troublesome!  We imagine what life would be like without any problems or issues or challenges, but that might be hazardous to our health, especially our spiritual health! In our physical health if we don’t move around or take exercise soon, we lose our muscle mass and bone density. We know that…. because when there is long term sickness, we see it happen. Even older people in America who just want to sit down because they have pain, if they sit too much and too long and don’t move, they really will have more pain and become immobile! Maybe we really do need some adversity in our lives even though we don’t like it. I heard a statement that said, “The people God uses the most are often the people who have experienced the most adversity.” 
         This isn’t what we want to hear but it’s true. There is a sister that comes to my mind in America. Her name is Joni. When she was a teenager, she dove into a lake and broke her neck and was paralyzed from neck down all her life. She is in her 70’s now. It was a tragedy, and she was angry and depressed for a while, but she trusted the Lord and He strengthened her, so even though she has suffered all her life, she has a powerful testimony of God’s help and leading her to encourage thousands of people with her testimony. She can speak so she teaches on the internet, and she goes to speak to groups of people. She paints beautiful art with her mouth and teeth holding a brush. She writes books and poetry.
        If you look up the meaning of OVERCOME you see it means subdue, prevail, and conquer. We will have many trials on this earth but there is nothing that our God cannot conquer! Overcomers are followers of Christ who successfully resist the power and temptation of the world’s system.  An overcomer is NOT sinless!  But they hold on to faith in Christ until the end. He does not turn away when times get difficult.  Overcoming requires complete dependence upon God for direction, purpose, fulfillment and strength to follow God’s plan for our lives. Adversity can produce an increased capacity to serve God. Why? Because adversity causes us like Joni to turn to God, lean on God, seek God and get to know God in a way we otherwise would not.
         Some of God’s greatest promises in Scripture begin with the words “to him who overcomes”. In our scripture we read this morning it says,” for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith”. 1John vs 4-5. Who is it that overcomes the world? ONLY he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.” …. So, we are CALLED to be OVERCOMERS! We see in Romans 8: 35-37 The troubles and hardships do not separate us from God’s Love. vs 37 says “… in all these things we are more than conquerors through HIM who loves us.” The sovereign power of God’s love can protect and preserve us who are believers! Where in your life do you need the healing power of these precious truths?  Where do you need rescue? Please remember this…. You shall OVERCOME because your Heavenly Father Himself IS the OVERCOMER!!  Praise God! We’ve seen and believed in the depth of His love because of His sacrifice. 
        Faith is the victory that overcomes the world! He gives us divine strength and power to be overcomers! And Jesus wants us to have peace because He knows that for a time …until He returns… The world is a battleground, not a playground! Jesus tells us in John 16:33…. this world is broken, and we will have troubles (adversity) We must put on God’s armor and stand firm!  Jesus says, “BUT take heart (be encouraged) I have overcome the world!” Even when we try our best to be faithful, we will still have struggles. How do we respond?  We remain faithful and thanks be to God; He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. We are “the church,” the family of God, the body of believers. We believe in Jesus Christ as the promised Messiah and our Savior! The church gives evidence of this belief by obeying God’s commands. Such obedience OVERCOMES the temptations thrown at us by the NON-BELIEVING world to live by its standards. We can obey ONLY as we place our faith in Christ and not ourselves.  The motivation for obedience is LOVE OF GOD and we extend that love to everyone! We support one another with love and prayers. Obedience, faith, and love unite the church into a true community! In Revelations 21: 7 we read, “He who overcomes will inherit all this and I will be His God, and he will be my son.”  So, the Christian church is an enduring, OVERCOMING people. One day problems and persecution will be behind.  God’s enduring people will receive their inheritance! Brothers and Sisters be encouraged…we have the Holy Spirit of God IN US to OVERCOME any attacks of the enemy! 
        Did you know God wants to recycle your adversity and turn it into a ministry. People go through and endure very painful things, but God can help us to climb out of the pit so we can help others. Our problems don’t disqualify us from being used by God. We don’t want tragedy or adversity in our lives, but good things can come from it. Trials have a way of helping us rediscover our purpose in life. The problems God has brought you through become a platform where you stand and minister to others. “Praise be to God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of ALL comfort, who comforts us in our troubles so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.”  This is my sharing, let us pray! 

缅怀林彬牧师

大卫说：“论到世上的圣民，他们又美又善，是我最喜悦的”。（诗16：3）
“在耶和华眼中，看圣民之死极为宝贵。”（诗篇 116:15）
        2025年10月1日林彬师母短信上说：“下午3：34主接回家” 。收到这条短信时，我的心中是平静的。尽管与林牧师短暂分离的忧伤阵阵袭来，与他相处的点滴也不断在脑海中浮现，但内心却充满属天的确据：主的忠仆安息主怀了！
        9月29日为林牧师祷告时，我在日记里记下两个词：“Mission Completed.”（“使命完成”）  
       林彬牧师（1941年12月7日-2025年10月1日）是一位属灵的英雄。他在世上的时候，神借着他开拓了四百多间教会。他走南闯北，事奉的脚步从未停歇。当听闻他被主接回家的消息时，有位弟兄说得很好：“作为一位牧师和主的门徒，还有什么比在愛别人的路上去世更好的归宿呢？基督徒是最不应惧怕死亡的一批人，也是最愿意付出愛却不求回报的一批人。”
        常有人说：“我宁可死在战场上，不愿死在病床上。”林牧师正是这样的一位属灵前辈，他的人生在属灵战场上凯旋而归。我们深信，当主在天门口迎接他时，就像迎接一位从战场上披荆斩棘、叱咤风云、得胜归来的大将军一样，为他戴上精金的冠冕，并称赞他说：“好，你这又良善又忠心的仆人！”这正是林牧师一生服侍所追求的目标。
       感恩神奇妙的预备与安排，使林牧师与师母于 2025 年 9 月 21 日来到小石城以马内利华语浸信会崇拜——那是他人生最后一次崇拜。他将最后的祝福留给了我们，在主日学里分享他最宝贵的教导；我们（林牧师、林师母、张琨、李春海、天意、天成）在 Asian Buffet 一起吃了他人生中的最后一顿午餐，享受在基督里愛的团契。临别时，他温暖地向我们道别，说：“我希望以后还来看你们！”
       林牧师是我的属灵父亲。我一直以为林牧师最愛我——后来才明白，凡他所教导过的每一位门徒都觉得林牧师最愛他/她。这或许正是林牧师生命的魅力，也正像我们与上帝的关系一样—我们都觉得上帝最愛的是“我”。也许，一位好的牧者就应该让每一个人都觉得自己是独特而宝贵的
     记得 2008 年 8 月 10 日，我来美国的第二天就去三一华语浸信会敬拜，正好遇见林牧师。我去沈阳领事馆面签那天，主给我的经文是出埃及记 23:20：“看哪，我差遣使者在你前面，在路上保护你，领你到我所预备的地方去。”林牧师就是我生命路上的使者之一，引导我前行。
        当他第一次见到我时笑容满面地对我说：“太好了，主带你一路来到美国一定有祂的安排。你可以在我们教会边学习、边实习。”那天的信息是“浪子回头”。虽然我不是浪子，却在信息中泪流满面，走到台前再次将自己献给主。
       从那天起，林牧师带领了我“师徒关系”的培训旅程——如何在美国服侍、如何植堂、如何牧会、如何建立婚姻、甚至迁移到小石城服侍——一路上都有林牧师的陪伴。我略举以下几个例子
       一、林牧师常常请我吃饭
      有句西方谚语：“要想得着人的心，先要得着他的胃。”（ “the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach”）。林牧师确实深深“抓住了我的胃”。刚毕业开始植堂时，他常带我吃午餐：西餐汉堡、三明治、越南的Lee’s Sandwich、越南米粉Pho、中餐……对于我这个单身“大胃王”（Big Stomach，与 King David 的谐音构成中国式笑话）来说非常重要——人先要吃饱，才能有力量服侍。
        他和师母也常邀请留学生与访问学者到家里做客、庆祝感恩节。他说：“我以前喜欢请客吃饭，大家互相请来请去没什么意思。但若请那些不能偿还我的人吃饭就有福了（路 14:12–14），所以我愿意更多服侍这些学生学者。”
        二、蒙召的人要以服侍主为念
        刚到美国时，我经济拮据，连学费都付不起，很想去餐馆打工。林牧师严肃地说：“春海，你和别人不一样。你是蒙召为主所用的人。千万别去餐馆打工，那对传道人不是好见证。你专心依靠主，主会为你预备一切。” 我听从了林牧师的话，专心服侍，从未缺乏。
        三、两个人总比一个人好
        林牧师像中国老父亲一样“催婚”（ 这也是愛的表达）。他说：“你在美国牧会，一定要成家立业，有帮助协助你。主赐予人间的爱情，要学习了生儿养女之道，才能更好地牧养弟兄姐妹。” 在林牧师和 Kirk 牧师的帮助下，我与莎莎师母的愛情修成正果，正式迈进婚姻的殿堂。如今蒙主眷顾，我们已育有三个儿女。林牧师一生为五十一对夫妇证婚（十对中美婚姻，四十一对华人婚姻），成为多人婚姻的祝福。
        四、灰心时的鼓励
        在奥克拉荷马植堂十年，我也有灰心想放弃的时候。林牧师总说：“植堂没有失败。这是神的工作，我们只要尽全力配合祂。”我初期常找不到定位，也常会找不准愛心的界限。林牧师提醒：“不能和信徒只是哥们（buddy, buddy）相待。你要做牧师，与羊保持适当界限，才能带领他们走主的道路。”
        五、禾场的调整
        2008 年在奥克拉荷马服侍的最后一年，林牧师在给同工培训时多次强调：“在美国服侍的华人牧者，不一定一辈子待在同一个地方。主可能带你到不同地区服侍，为兴起更多工人。” 回头看，这正是主借他预备弟兄姐妹的策略。2005 年 5 月，他亲自组织欢送会差派我们全家到小石城服侍。小石城教会从母会独立时，他又来讲道，鼓励我们承担大使命。
          六、翻译训练
        感谢明日之光制作的纪念林牧师的视频。视频里，第一张照片就是他讲道，我在旁边翻译。当年的我怯懦、不自信。我紧紧盯着林牧师。他讲一句，我紧张地翻一句。那场景就像老兵训练新兵。感谢主借着他一步一步带我成长。原来我根本不知道自己有翻译的恩赐，在他的训练下才被逐渐发掘出来。
          七、严厉的愛
      “当面的责备胜于背地的愛情”（箴 27:5）。
        学习植堂之初，第一次崇拜的 PowerPoint 做错，耽误十分钟，他当面指出：“传道人要提前做好功课，免得浪费大家时间。”第一次组织户外活动，因为学生不准时、地点不合适，他严肃地批评我说：在美国必须教导学生们守时，户外活动必须提前规划好。良药苦口，这些严厉的教导终生受益。
        当然，他也有信息掌握不全的时候。记得我从 OUC 毕业后，他带我去加拿大参加 CBF。到了温哥华，我没有加拿大签证被遣返——这是我的低级错误。但当时林牧师也以为持美国留学签证就可以畅通无阻。
        由于篇幅有限，许多点滴无法尽述。以下我用十个成语概括林彬牧师一生的服侍：

1. 忠心愛主
2. 持守真理
3. 真诚善良
4. 刚正不阿
5. 热心植堂
6. 惜才若渴
7. 睿智应变
8. 锲而不舍
9. 孜孜不倦
10. 凯旋归家

       回首过去，其实林牧师从未走远。他在基督里对我们的愛已经深深融入我们的血液中、我们的骨髓里！愿这份愛继续从我们每个人的心田流入另一个心田里。
 《林前》13：13 如今长存的有信、有望、有愛，其中最大的是愛。
 愿这份愛继续一代接一代传下去。

In Memory of Pastor Ted Lam

David once said, “As for the saints in the land, they are the excellent ones, in whom is all my delight.” (Psalm 16:3)
“Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.” (Psalm 116:15, ESV)
       On October 1, 2025, Pastor Lam’s wife, Jane Lam sent a message: “At 3:34 p.m., the Lord took him home.” When I received the message, my heart was calm. Though waves of sorrow came as I recalled our moments with Pastor Lam, yet inwardly I was filled with a heavenly assurance: the Lord’s faithful servant has entered his rest!
       On September 29, as I prayed for Pastor Lam, I wrote two words in my journal: “Mission Completed.”
        Pastor Ted Lam (December 7, 1941– October 1, 2025) was a spiritual hero. During his earthly ministry, God used him to plant more than 400 churches. He traveled far and wide, never once slowing his footsteps in serving the Lord. After hearing the news of his homegoing, one brother said it so well:
“As a pastor and a disciple of the Lord, what better ending is there than to finish one’s life on the path of loving others? Christians are the people who fear death the least and who give love the most without expecting anything in return.”
         People often say, “I’d rather die on the battlefield than on the sickbed.” Pastor Lam was exactly such a spiritual warrior—he finished his life triumphant on the battlefield of faith. We firmly believe that when the Lord welcomed him at the gates of heaven, it was like welcoming a general returning victorious from the front Lames—crowned with gold, honored by the King, and hearing the commendation:
        “Well done, good and faithful servant!”
         This was the goal Pastor Lam pursued all his life.
          We thank God for His wonderful timing and arrangement that brought Pastor Lam and his wife to Little Rock Immanuel Chinese Baptist Church on September 21, 2025—his final worship on earth. He left us with his final blessings, shared his most precious teachings in Sunday School, and afterward the six of us (Pastor Lam, Mrs. Lam, Zhang Kun, Chunhai Li, Tianyi, and Tiancheng) enjoyed his last earthly lunch together at Asian Buffet, tasting the fellowship of Christ’s love. When we parted, he said warmly, “I hope I can come visit you again!”
       Pastor Lam was my spiritual father. For a long time, I thought I was the one he loved most—until I realized that every disciple he mentored thought the same. That was the beauty of his life, just as in our relationship with God—each of us feels that God loves “me” the most. Perhaps a good pastor is precisely one who makes every person feel uniquely cherished.
        I still remember August 10, 2008—the second day after I arrived in America—when I visited Trinity Chinese Baptist Church and met Pastor Lam for the first time. On the day I went to the U.S. Consulate in Shenyang for my visa interview, the Lord gave me Exodus 23:20:
“See, I am sending an angel ahead of you to guard you along the way and to bring you to the place I have prepared.” Pastor Lam was one of the angels God sent along my life’s journey to guide me.
        When he first saw me, he smiled warmly and said, “Wonderful! The Lord brought you all the way to America for a purpose. You can study and intern at our church.” The sermon that day was on the prodigal son. Though I was not a prodigal, I wept through the message and walked forward to rededicate myself to the Lord.
       From that day on, Pastor Lam began a mentoring journey with me—teaching me how to serve in America, how to plant churches, how to pastor, how to build a marriage, and eventually guiding my move to Little Rock. I offer a few examples below:
       1. Pastor Lam often took me out for meals
       There is a Western saying: “The way to a man’s heart is through his stomach.”
Pastor Lam truly “won my stomach.” When I first graduated and began church planting, he frequently took me out for lunch—burgers, sandwiches, Lee’s Sandwiches, Vietnamese pho, Chinese food…
       For me, a single young “big stomach”—a nickname that sounds like “Big David” in Chinese—this meant a great deal. A person must first be fed before he can have the strength to serve.
       He and Mrs. Lam often invited international students and visiting scholars to their home, especially during Thanksgiving. He once said, “I used to host dinners with friends, but inviting one another back and forth didn’t mean much. But it is blessed to invite those who cannot repay you (Luke 14:12–14). So I want to serve students and scholars more.”
       2. Those who are called must set their hearts on serving the Lord
       When I first came to America, I was financially struggling and couldn’t even pay my tuition. I wanted to work at a restaurant. Pastor Lam said firmly, “Chunhai, you are different. You are called by God. Do not go to work at a restaurant, that is not a good testimony for a minister. Focus fully on serving the Lord; He will provide everything you need.” I followed what he said, and I never lacked anything.
       3. Two are better than one
       Pastor Lam urged me to marry—like a typical Chinese-style dad full of love ( this too was his expression of care). He said, “If you serve in America, you must build a family. You need to have a helper. It is great that the Lord grants you a loving partner. Learn how to raise children, and you will better shepherd the flock.” With the help of Pastor Lam and Pastor Kirk, Shasha and I entered the covenant of marriage. Today, by God’s grace, we have three children. Pastor Lam officiated 51 weddings in his lifetime—10 Chinese American and 41 Chinese marriages—becoming a blessing to many families.
         4. Encouragement during discouraging seasons
         During my ten years of church serving and planting in Oklahoma, I sometimes felt discouraged. Pastor Lam always said, “There is no failure in church planting. This is God’s work. We are only responsible to do our best to cooperate with Him.”
        In the early years, I often struggled to find my footing or the boundaries of love. Pastor Lam reminded me, “You cannot simply be ‘buddy-buddy’ with the flock. You are the pastor. You must keep healthy boundaries in order to lead them in the Lord.”
         5. Adjustments in ministry fields
        During his final year in Oklahoma in 2008, Pastor Lam repeatedly taught the coworkers, “Chinese pastors serving in America may not stay in one place forever. The Lord may lead you to different fields to raise up more workers.” Looking back, this was exactly God’s strategy spoken through him.
       On May 2005, he led to organize the sending service and commissioned our family to Little Rock. When the Little Rock church became independent, he returned to preach and encourage us to take up the Great Commission.
        6. Translation training
        I am grateful for the memorial video produced by Pioneers. The first photo shows Pastor Lam preaching while I translated beside him. Back then, I was timid and unsure of myself. I clung to him—he spoke one sentence, and I translated one sentence nervously. It was like a veteran training a rookie soldier. I never knew I had a gift for translation until he helped to discover and cultivate it.
      7. Loving discipline
       “Better is open rebuke than hidden love.” (Proverbs 27:5)
       In my early church-planting days, we made the PowerPoint incorrectly and delayed worship by ten minutes. He rebuked me: “A minister must prepare thoroughly so as not to waste people’s time.”
       When I organized an outdoor event and it was chaotic due to students’ lateness and poor planning, he sternly corrected me: “You must teach students in America to be punctual. Outdoor events must be planned in advance.” These corrective words were bitter but life-giving.
        Of course, he also had moments of imperfect information. After I graduated from OUC, he took me to Canada for CBF. When we arrived in Vancouver, I was denied entry because I had no Canadian visa—that was my rookie mistake. But at the time, Pastor Lam also assumed that an American student visa would allow smooth entry.
        Because of space, many memories cannot be recorded here. Instead, I summarize Pastor Lam’s life of ministry in ten Chinese idioms:

• Faithful to the Lord
• Firm in truth
• Sincere and kind
• Upright and fearless
• Passionate in church planting
• Eager to train workers
• Wise and adaptable
• Persevering
• Diligent and tireless
• Triumphant homecoming

          Looking back, Pastor Lam has never truly left us. His love in Christ has flowed into our blood and into our bones. May this love continue to flow from each of our hearts into the next heart.
       1 Corinthians 13:13: “And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.”
       May this love continue from generation to generation. 

初谈宋尚节
（接上文）

厦门鼓浪屿三一堂 Trinity Church in Gulangyu

美国归正教厦门差会传教士一览表 List of The Reformed Church Xiamen Missionaries

• 我的厦门之旅

        2025年6月8日，带着一颗谦卑寻索的心，我与乔治牧师踏上了追寻早期传教士与宋尚节属灵足迹的旅程。结束草湖教堂的参观与学习后，我们于下午三点半自莆田启程，驱车前往那座古老与现代交织的城市——厦门。

• 潘维廉

        傍晚五点多，我们如约见到了厦门大学的潘维廉教授（Dr. William N. Brown）[1]。此时的厦门车水马龙、人潮如织，连停车位都成了奢侈的期待。潘教授是一位美国的“中国通”，笑容温和，语气亲切，谈吐间充满幽默与智慧。虽是初次谋面，却有一种久别重逢的亲切感。我笑着问他：“厦门这么拥挤，你怎么会喜欢这里？”我之所以这样问，是因为与我居住的美国小石城相比，这里显得热闹喧嚣得多，几乎让人透不过气。     
  他幽默地回答：“我从来没有喜欢过这里，但上帝却让我在这里生活了三十七年。”
  这句风趣却饱含深意的话，让我们都会心一笑。
  潘教授确实深爱这片土地。他是1992年福建省第一位获得外国人永久居留证的人，多年来积极投入地方文化、教育与社会发展的研究与交流。他被誉为“中国通”，并于2019年获评央视“感动中国年度人物”之一。2024年央视元旦晚会上，我们甚至还在YouTube上看到他熟悉的身影。
  晚餐时，潘教授带我们到一家素食餐馆。那一晚，整个餐馆只有我们三人。短短两个小时，我们畅谈信仰与人生——从他与妻子在中国的生活点滴，到我在美国牧会、研究福建传教史及宋尚节的经验。他提到自己曾经历两次癌症手术，如今仍蒙主保守，使他依然可以在中国工作和生活。他给我的印象是：他这个美国人，比我这个中国人更了解中国；而我这个在美国生活多年的中国人，却未必真正了解美国。
     他语重心长地说：“我们不能只透过西方媒体了解中国，就像不能只透过中国媒体了解美国一样。若想真正认识一个地方，就必须亲自走进去，否则我们没有资格评论。”的确，眼见为实、耳听则虚。
     谈到信仰生活，他分享自己在中国参加登记教会的聚会。对于家庭教会与三自教会之间的关系，他则以更广阔的神国眼光去看待和理解。那种包容与洞察的胸襟，对我极有启发。
        夜色渐浓，我们还要前往拜访另一位牧者，只得与潘教授依依惜别。临别时，他送给我三本著作：《我不见外：老潘的中国来信》（Off the Wall—How We Fell for China）、《老外看老鼓浪屿》（Old Gulangyu in Foreigners’ Eyes）、《从泉州出发：老潘说海上丝绸之路》（From Quanzhou: Old Pan Talking about the Maritime Silk Road）。这些书成为我旅途中最珍贵的纪念——它们不仅帮助我更深入了解福建与海上丝绸之路的历史，也让我看到古代外国人眼中的福建人形象，以及传教士初入福建时留下的珍贵史料。        
          那天晚上，我们又去了厦门东屿堂，拜访一对牧师夫妇。尽管夜色已深，两位牧师和几位同工仍热情接待我们，向我们介绍了当地教会的基本情况。那晚，牧师安排一对基督徒夫妇刘弟兄和钟姐接待我们，住在他们家开的家庭旅馆。钟姐是教会的女执事。他们非常淳朴热情，我们在主里交通至深夜。我们觉得住在他们家给他们添麻烦了，但他们笑着说：“在主里我们都是一家人，能相聚就是缘分，能接待神的仆人实在是神的祝福。”
        与他们分享时，刘弟兄特别提到：“在别的地方，人会问你家几个人信主；但在福建，人们通常会问，‘你们家几代人信主？’” 从这个简单的问题，就可见福建基督教有深厚的历史与信仰根基。
         第二天早晨，我们在钟姐家享用了她亲手准备的爱心早餐后，便赶往码头乘船去鼓浪屿。从厦门到鼓浪屿的一河之隔，正是当年宋尚节举行布道会时，人们经过的路线。

• 鼓浪屿人民小学

         我们乘坐邮轮约二十分钟后抵达鼓浪屿。这座岛上没有车辆，所有人都徒步而行。从码头走十分钟的弯曲小路，我们便来到三一堂。由于时间尚早，接待人员尚未到，我们就在周围随意走走。岛上随处可见传教士历史的印记。靠近教堂的是鼓浪屿人民小学，孩子们正在操场上做早操。围墙上记载着学校的历史：
               “鼓浪屿人民小学前身是英、美教会十九世纪中期创办的鼓浪屿怀仁女校和毓德女
                校。两校从小学办起，发展为包括小学、中学、师范部在内的女子学校。1938年
                学校开始招收男生……1967年学校更名为鼓浪屿人民小学。
                     怀仁女学为闽南女子学校（乌埭dài女学）1877年由美国长老会倪为霖牧师
             娘（Mrs. Macgregor）与吴罗宾牧师娘募资建校于鼓浪屿。当时的主理是“仁历西
             姑娘”（Jessie Johnston，1861-1907）。乌埭女学开办之初，仍以传教、教读《圣
             经》为主，兼学如地理、算术、缝纫、家务经济等。
                     毓德女校则是在1870年美国归正教会（R.C.A.）打马字牧师娘玛丽·（Mrs.
            Eliza Deventer Talmage），汲澧澜牧师娘海伦(Mrs. Helen Culbertson Kip)、戴维斯牧
           师娘埃玛（Mrs. Emma C. W. Davis）在厦门创办女学，中文校名为“培德学校”
        （Character-Developing School），1921年称毓德女子中学”。[2]

• 三一堂

         我们再次回到三一堂。教堂外墙上有一副乳白色石雕壁画《主是好牧人》：青山绿水之间，耶稣左手持杖、右手抱着一只小羊，身后跟随着许多羊。壁画中耶稣慈祥的目光深情注视着怀中的小羊，流露出他无微不至的爱。
                  “三一堂奠基石：中鐫“蓋所置之基，即耶穌基督也”（林前3：11），中上刻有發
                  光之十字架；連十架而下有向左右伸出心狀形之棕樹枝。三一堂會：要建造在基
                  督的基礎上。要永遠以十字架夸勝。會友們的心要備為聖神駐蹕[2]之所（摘自
                 1935年刊印的三一堂会宗旨及奠基石铭”。[3]         

         我们走进教堂的二楼。墙上张贴着“美国归正教厦门差会传教士一览表”（见上图）。正如希伯来书所说：“从前引导你们、传神之道给你们的人，你们要想念他们，效法他们的信心，留心看他们为人的结局”（来13：7）。
          雷远焱长老热情接待我们，并简要介绍了三一堂的历史。他说，“三一堂”的名字本身就是合一的见证：它包含三位一体的真神；新街、竹树、厦港三堂会友合一成一教会；三个堂会合建三一教堂；美国归正教、英国伦敦会、英国长老会三公会联合资助建造三一教堂等多重意义。
         上帝赐给三一堂的地址是在岛的正中心，四面八方都能听到教堂的钟声。教堂于1927年筹建，1934年10月24日破土动工。一位荷兰工程师为三一堂义务设计了一座先进无梁钢结构屋顶，并自费到香港督造，解经建筑中最大的技术难题。[4] 这位荷兰工程师说：“我母亲叫我读神学，做传道，我没有照母亲的话读神学，所以，我在各地为教会做什么工作，都是奉献的。”[5]
          1936年7月，屋顶吊装及室内粗装修完成。同年7月10日，由宋尚节博士主持，为期一个月，共一千六百人参加的第二届全国基督徒查经会如期在三一堂举行，以此为标志，本堂第一阶段建筑工程宣告完成。[6]
          雷长老还介绍说：原来教堂的邻居是不信主的，但多年以后主做了奇妙的工作，感动他和家人信主。终于在“1997年，上帝感动旅居加拿大李金燕姐妹将邻接三一堂东边的施恩房产全部献给三一堂。” [7] 至此，三一堂曲折的六十六年建筑史终于圆满。

• 蔡丽霞

          雷长老听说我研究宋尚节，便立即带我们去探访一位蔡丽霞老人，并说她曾亲身接触过宋博士。我们早上九点多抵达她家，由儿媳接待。老人亲自弹奏《每想到你》（Lord Jesus, When I Think of Thee）。[8]
         老人今年93岁，不到一岁时双目失明。本来她的眼睛不该失明，却因医生误用药物而致盲。她一岁多时，阿姨抱她去见宋博士，还没开口，宋博士就说：“上帝有旨意，你盲眼比眼睛看到更好。” 从此，她外在看不见，却一生看见了上帝的光明。
         我问她：“您学过弹琴吗？”
         她答：“二十岁时在家里请老师教过，但没上过正规学校。”
         她的儿媳补充说：“她小时候六七岁到福州盲校学习，十多岁到上海盲校。她能识字，连英文都会讲。五十多岁才学英语，能读英文盲文圣经，也会用盲文写。” 尽管看不见光明，她的心灵却极其丰富。
         我又问：“她什么时候结婚？”
         儿媳说：“大约1960年结婚。她先生也是盲人，两人因工作相识。那时鼓浪屿成立了教会办的盲人学校，她在那里任教，教盲人写字和生活技能。后来学生减少，盲校改成聋哑学校，她便被分配到残疾人印刷厂工作，不久后退休。”
         她从上海回来后，尚未结婚就已在教会司琴。她服事主七八十年，用生命见证了神的大能。直到今年，她才停止在教会司琴。
         乔治牧师感叹道：“宋博士告诉你的话，影响你一生的路。上帝告诉你他有旨意，也告诉你他所预备的更好。为上帝而活，太宝贵了！”
         他又说：“我真的觉得这样的圣诗太好了！它本身就是信仰。现在年轻人或许技巧很好，但少了那份灵性。”
        老人微笑着补充：“他们不能把意思弹出来。”
         由于赶飞机，我们匆匆离开。雷长老带我们走一条隧道直达码头。路上我好奇地问：“这个地方为什么叫鼓浪屿？”
         雷长老解释：“因为岛上岩石受海浪撞击，声若击鼓，因此得名。”更具体地说，“岛南部有一岩礁，其洞穴受浪拍击，远听如擂鼓，故名鼓浪屿。” [9]
        鼓浪屿真是人杰地灵，许多历史名人在此留下足迹，成为这座小岛无形的财富与不可取代的魅力。穿过隧道，墙上镌刻着许多名人介绍，包括中国第一位专业声乐教育家、第一位合唱女指挥家、第一位女作曲家周淑安（1894–1974），病毒学家、中国科学院院士黄祯祥（1910–1987），中国近代体育先驱马约翰（1882–1966），[10] 著名作家林语堂（1895–1976；他于年老时皈依基督），以及厦门第一所正规医院小溪和鼓浪屿救市医院、闽南近代第一所医学专科学校创办人、妇女医院与护士组织创办者、医学博士兼传教士郁约翰（John Abraham Otte，1861–1910）等。
         结语：
　   读万卷书，行万里路。短短一个晚上与一个下午的行程，匆匆掠过这座历史与文明交汇的古城厦门，虽觉意犹未尽，却在所见所遇之间，心灵深受触动。从拜访潘教授，到漫步鼓浪屿、参观三一堂、探访蔡丽霞老人，每一处都让我学到宝贵的属灵功课，也为我对宋尚节的研究开启了新的视野。
　　厦门三一堂的戴弟兄曾意味深长地说：“教会历史需要时间的沉淀与深入的思考，才能更好地领悟神的旨意。” [11] 这句话宛如回响，提醒我：凡属上帝的工作，都在时间中被炼净，被显明。
　　回眸之间，在上帝那里，千年如一日，一日如千年。人间的一夜，在永恒中不过是光中的一瞬。然而，那一夜与一晨的厦门之行，仿佛在基督的光照下，让我得以窥见永恒的一隅。愿上帝那不息的荣光，继续照耀这片曾蒙眷顾的土地，也照亮每一个仍在寻找家园、渴望遇见主的心田。（全文完）
 

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                    [1] 李春海：“初谈宋尚节”，10/19/25 牧者之言，浏览于2025年11月12日，https://lricbc.org/?p=1762。

             [2] 当时传教士夫人创办女子学校具有重大的时代意义：首先，它打破性别封闭，铲除中国旧社会妇女缠足的陋习，推动了男女共同拥有受教育的权利；第二，引入西式教育理念，奠定中国女子教育制度基础；第三，以教育为桥梁，推进福音在华落地生根。

                [3] 三一堂始建于1934年，2006年入选全国重点文保单位, 2025-05-10 08:12 发布于：福建省, 浏览于2025年11月11日，https://www.sohu.com/a/889146709_100199564。

               [2] 蹕读bì，指古代帝王出行时清道戒严的意思。更进一步说，当圣灵在信徒里面内住时，任何人或事物都无权打扰或侵犯。

           [4]《三一堂八十年》（Trinity Church, 1934-2014）（厦门：厦门市基督教三一堂，2014），4.

             [5] 《三一堂八十年》（Trinity Church, 1934-2014），18。

             [6] 《三一堂八十年》（Trinity Church, 1934-2014），34。

             [7]《三一堂八十年》（Trinity Church, 1934-2014），ii, 18。

             [8] 《三一堂八十年》（Trinity Church, 1934-2014），ii-iii。

              [9] “盲人基督徒司琴师93岁蔡丽霞 1- 93 Blind Christian Pianist Sister Cailixia 1,” 浏览于2025年11月13日，  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gm0zHqqAf2A&list=RDGm0zHqqAf2A&start_radio=1。

              [10] 潘维廉（William N. Brown）：《老外看老鼓浪屿》(Old Gulangyu in Foreigners’ Eyes)，潘文功、钟太福译（厦门：厦门大学出版社，2010），29。

               [11] 马约翰说：“我是基督徒，是浸信会的成员”。袁 帆：“春田学院官网马约翰史料介绍与评析”，清华大学校史馆，浏览于2025年11月12日，https://xsg.tsinghua.edu.cn/info/1003/2798.htm。

              [12] 《三一堂八十年》（Trinity Church, 1934-2014），297。

An Initiative Reflection on John Sung
(continued from the above)

• My Journey to Xiamen

       On June 8, 2025, with a humble and seeking heart, Pastor George and I set out to trace the spiritual footsteps of early missionaries and John Sung. After visiting and studying at Caohu Church, we departed Putian at 3:30 p.m., driving toward Xiamen, a city where ancient history and modern life intertwine.

Dr. William N. Brown
       Around 5 p.m., we met with Professor William N. Brown of Xiamen University [1] as planned. At that time, Xiamen was bustling with traffic and throngs of people; even finding a parking space felt like a luxury. Professor Brown, an American well-versed in Chinese culture, greeted us with a gentle smile and warm demeanor. His conversation was full of humor and wisdom. Although it was our first meeting, there was a sense of familiarity, as if we were old friends reunited. I jokingly asked him, “Xiamen is so crowded—how do you manage to like living here?” I asked this because, compared with Little Rock, where I live in the U.S., Xiamen seemed far livelier and noisier, almost overwhelming.
       He replied with a humorous yet profound remark: “I’ve never really liked living here, but God has allowed me to live here for thirty-seven years.” This witty statement brought knowing smiles to both our faces.
       Professor Brown clearly loves this land deeply. In 1992, he became the first foreigner in Fujian Province to receive permanent residency. Over the years, he has been actively involved in the study and exchange of local culture, education, and social development. He is regarded as a “China expert” and was recognized as one of CCTV’s “Touching China” figures in 2019. We even saw his familiar presence on YouTube during the 2024 CCTV New Year’s Gala.
       That evening, Professor Brown took us to a vegetarian restaurant, where we were the only three guests. During those two short hours, we talked extensively about faith and life—from his daily experiences in China with his wife to my ministry in the U.S. and research on the history of missions in Fujian and John Sung. He shared that he had undergone two cancer surgeries, yet God had preserved him, allowing him to continue working and living in China. I was struck by the irony: he, as an American, knows China better than I do as a Chinese; yet I, a Chinese who has lived in the United States for many years, may not truly understand America.
       He earnestly said, “We cannot understand China only through Western media, just as we cannot understand the U.S. only through Chinese media. To truly know a place, you must go there yourself; otherwise, you have no right to comment.” Indeed, seeing with one’s own eyes is far more reliable than secondhand information.
        On the topic of faith, he shared about attending registered church gatherings in China. Regarding the relationship between house churches and Three-Self churches, he looked with a broader perspective of God’s kingdom, demonstrating a spirit of humility and insight that deeply inspired me.
         As night fell, we had to visit another pastor, so we reluctantly parted with Professor Brown. Before leaving, he gifted me three of his books: Off the Wall—How We Fell for China, Old Gulangyu in Foreigners’ Eyes, and From Quanzhou: Old Pan Talking about the Maritime Silk Road. These became cherished mementos of my journey, helping me gain deeper insights into Fujian’s history, the Maritime Silk Road, and the early missionaries’ impressions of the region.
         That night, we visited Dongyu Church in Xiamen and met a pastor couple. Despite the late hour, they and several church coworkers warmly welcomed us, introducing the local church situation. The pastor arranged for Brother Liu and Sister Zhong, a Christian couple, to host us at their family-run guesthouse. Sister Zhong serves as a deacon in the church. They were incredibly kind and hospitable. Although we worried about causing them trouble, they said with smiles, “In the Lord, we are all one family. Meeting together is a blessing, and hosting God’s servants is truly God’s favor.”
         Brother Liu remarked, “In other places, people ask how many in your family are Christians; in Fujian, they ask, ‘How many generations in your family are believers?’” This simple question reveals the deep roots of Christianity in Fujian.
        The next morning, after enjoying a lovely breakfast prepared by Sister Zhong, we hurried to the pier to take a boat to Gulangyu Island. The river separating Xiamen from Gulangyu was the very route people took when attending John Sung’s revival meetings.
Gulangyu People’s Primary School
After about twenty minutes by ferry, we arrived at Gulangyu. There are no vehicles on the island; everyone travels on foot. A ten-minute walk along a winding path from the pier brought us to Trinity Church. Since it was still early, the reception staff had not yet arrived, so we wandered the area. Everywhere on the island bore the marks of missionary history. Near the church stood Gulangyu People’s Primary School, where children were doing morning exercises. The wall displayed the school’s history:
           “The predecessor of Gulangyu People’s Primary School was the Huairen Girls’ School
            and Yude Girls’ School, founded in the mid-19th century by British and American
            churches. These schools started as primary schools and eventually developed to include
            middle schools and teacher training departments. In 1938, the school began admitting
            boys, and in 1967 it was renamed Gulangyu People’s Primary School.
                  Huairen Girls’ School was established in 1877 in Gulangyu by Mrs. Macgregor, the
           wife of Presbyterian pastor Ni Weilin, and Mrs. Wu Luobin(吴罗宾牧师娘?), funded by
           donations. Jessie Johnston (1861–1907) served as the head. The school initially focused
           on Christian teaching and Bible reading, alongside geography, arithmetic, sewing, and
           household economy.
                   Yude Girls’ School was founded in 1870 in Xiamen by Mrs. Eliza Deventer
            Talmage, Mrs. Helen Culbertson Kip, and Mrs. Emma C. W. Davis of the Reformed
            Church in America. The Chinese name was “Character-Developing School,” later
            renamed Yude Girls’ Middle School in 1921.”[2]

Trinity Church in Gulangyu [3]

          We returned to Trinity Church. On the outer wall, a cream-colored stone relief depicted The Good Shepherd: amidst green hills and flowing water, Jesus held a staff in his left hand and a lamb in his right, followed by many sheep. His tender gaze conveyed the depth of His love.
         The foundation stone of Trinity Church reads:
         “The foundation that has been laid is Jesus Christ” (1 Cor. 3:11), with a radiant cross
         engraved above, and palm branches extending sideways in heart-shaped forms. Trinity
         Church must be built upon the foundation of Christ, forever glorifying the cross, and the
         hearts of the congregation prepared as dwelling places of the Holy Spirit. (From the 1935
         Trinity Church Constitution and Foundation Stone Inscription)  [4]

        Inside, we saw the “List of The Reformed Church Xiamen Missionaries” posted on the second floor. As Hebrews 13:7 reminds: “Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith.”
        Elder Lei Yuanyan warmly welcomed us and briefly introduced Trinity Church’s history. He explained the meaning of its name, which signifies unity: the Trinity, the unification of congregations from Xinjie, Zhushu, and Xiagang, and the joint funding by three missionary societies—the Reformed Church in America, the London Missionary Society, and the Presbyterian Church in England.  
        God placed Trinity Church at the island’s center, where its bell can be heard from all directions. Construction began in October 1934, with a Dutch engineer volunteering an advanced beamless steel roof design, supervising its construction in Hong Kong at his own expense. [5] The Dutch engineer said, “My mother wanted me to study theology and become a preacher. I did not follow her wish to study theology, so whatever work I do for the church anywhere is my volunteer offering to God.”[6]
         The roof and rough interior were completed in July 1936. On July 10, 1936, Dr. John Sung presided over the second Nationwide Christian Bible Conference with 1,600 participants, marking the completion of Trinity Church’s first phase. [7]
        Elder Lei shared that initially, the church’s neighbors were non-believers, but over the years, God moved them and their families to faith. Eventually, in 1997, Sister Li Jinyan, residing in Canada, donated the adjacent Shien property to Trinity Church,[8] completing its sixty-six-year building history.

Cai Lixia
        Learning that I study John Sung, Elder Lei took us to meet a Senior Sister, Cai Lixia, who had personally met Dr. Sung. We arrived around 9 a.m., greeted by her daughter-in-law. Cai played Lord Jesus, When I Think of Thee herself.[9]
        At 93, she has been blind since infancy due to a medical mishap. When she was just over one year old, her aunt took her to meet John Sung. Before her aunt started to talk, Sung said, “God has a plan. Your blindness is better than sight.” Though she could not see physically, she spent her life seeing God’s light.
      I asked if she had learned piano. She replied, “At twenty, I had lessons at home, but never in formal school.”
       I then asked, “When did she get married?”
       Her daughter-in-law replied, “She got married around 1960. Her husband was also blind; they met through their work. At that time, a church-run school for the blind was established on Gulangyu Island, and she taught there, instructing blind students in writing and daily living skills. Later, as the number of students declined, the school for the blind was converted into a school for the deaf and mute. She was then reassigned to work at a printing factory for people with disabilities, where she stayed until her retirement.”
         After returning from Shanghai, she was already serving as a church organist even before she got married. She has served the Lord faithfully for seventy to eighty years, bearing witness to God’s mighty power through her life. It was only this year that she finally stopped playing the organ at church.
         Pastor George commented, “What Dr. John Sung told you shaped your life. God reveals His will and prepares something even better. Living for God is invaluable!” He added, “Such hymns are wonderful—they embody faith. Today, young people may have skill, but lack that spirituality.” Cai smiled and added, “They cannot express the meaning through the music.”
         Due to our flight schedule, we left hurriedly. Elder Lei guided us through a tunnel to the pier. Curious, I asked why the island was called Gulangyu. Elder Lei explained that the rocks are struck by waves, sounding like drums, hence the name. Specifically, a southern reef’s caves echo waves like a drumbeat.
         Gulangyu is indeed a place where remarkable people have left their marks, contributing to the island’s irreplaceable charm. Along the tunnel walls were introductions to notable figures, including China’s first professional vocal educator, the first female choral conductor, composer Zhou Shuyan (1894–1974), virologist and CAS academician Huang Zhenxiang (1910–1987), sports pioneer X John Ma (1882–1966), [10]  famous writer Lin Yutang (1895–1976, who converted to Christianity in old age), and medical missionary Dr. John Abraham Otte (1861–1910), founder of the first Western medical hospital — Hope Hospital — in Xiaoxi and Gulangyu, as well as the first modern medical college and women’s hospital in Fujian.

Conclusion
        As a Chinese saying goes, “Read ten thousand books and travel ten thousand miles.”
In a mere evening and morning, we fleetingly passed through Xiamen, a city where history and civilization converge. Though brief, the experiences deeply touched my heart. From visiting Professor Brown, strolling Gulangyu, exploring Trinity Church, to meeting the blind Senior Sister Cai Lixia, each encounter imparted precious spiritual lessons and opened new perspectives for my research on John Sung.
       Brother Dai of Trinity Church once said meaningfully, “Church history requires the sedimentation of time and in-depth reflection to better understand God’s will.” This echoes in my heart: all of God’s work is refined and revealed over time.
       Looking back, with God, a thousand years is like a day, and a day like a thousand years. One night on earth is but a fleeting instant in eternity. Yet, that evening and morning in Xiamen, under the light of Christ, allowed me a glimpse of eternity. May God’s unceasing glory continue to shine upon this once-favored land and illuminate every heart still seeking a home and yearning to encounter the Lord.    (The end)

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              [1] Li Chunhai , The Initiative of John Sung, 10/19/25 Pastor’s Word，accessed November 11, 2025, https://lricbc.org/?p=1762.

            [2] The establishment of girls’ schools by missionary wives at that time carried great historical significance. First, it broke through gender barriers and helped eradicate the old Chinese custom of foot-binding, promoting equal educational opportunities for both men and women. Second, it introduced Western educational concepts, laying the foundation for China’s modern system of female education. Third, it used education as a bridge to help the gospel take root and flourish in China.

            [3] Trinity Church was originally built in 1934 and was listed as a National Key Cultural Relic Protection Unit in 2006, the picture published on: May 10, 2025, 08:12, in Fujian Province, accessed November 11, 2025, https://www.sohu.com/a/889146709_100199564.

            [4]Trinity Church, 1934-2014(Xiamen: Xiamen Trinity Church), 4.

              [5] Trinity Church, 18.

              [6] Trinity Church, 34.

              [7] Trinity Church, ii, 18.

              [8] Trinity Church, ii-iii.

               [9] “93 Blind Christian Pianist Sister Cailixia 1,” accessed November 13, 2025, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gm0zHqqAf2A&list=RDGm0zHqqAf2A&start_radio=1.

              [10] X John Ma said, “I am a Christian, and member of the Baptist church.” Yuan Fan, “Introduction and Analysis of Historical Materials on X John Mo on the Springfield College Official Website,” Tsinghua University History Museum, accessed November 12, 2025, https://xsg.tsinghua.edu.cn/info/1003/2798.htm.

初谈宋尚节 （接上文）宋尚节在厦门         第二届全国查经大会         另一件重要的事件是1936年7月10日至8月8日宋尚节带领在厦门举办的第二届全国查经大会（The Second Nationwide Bible Institute）。[1] 鼓浪屿的三一堂抢在大会之前盖好，堂内可容纳一千六百人。[2]大会共有约两千名代表参加，其中不少人远道而来，包括台湾、新加坡、马来西亚和菲律宾等。数千人共同用一个月时间查考整本圣经，场面极为震撼。蔡志澄记下了此次大会开幕式上宋尚节所讲的“本届查经大会的使命”：[3]         “感谢主赞美主叫我们这第二届全国基督徒布道团查经会，得于今晚依期开幕。召集大会原非易事，幸蒙上主亲自作为其间，诸事乃得顺适如意。客秋，曾一度至南洋群岛为主作证，蒙恩者5000余人，饥渴慕义可见一斑，临行时，1000多人挥泪送别，状极伤感，登轮后独自一人关门恳吁上主垂怜这一般乏牧喂养的群羊。忽听微音，促余在厦举办第二届查经大会。感谢主竟自完成他所应许的话。回国后周行南北继续作证，眼看各处兄姊在奋兴后一片热诚低落千丈，轻信左道异端，走失迷途者比比皆是，更叫我坚心靠主完成本届查经会的使命。同时有北平等好几个地方，要我到他们那边去开查经会，可是为要顺服主的旨意，就决定在厦门举行了。         到底这次查经大会使命何在？我们也不能不细心思想。上帝选召我们原要造就我们做个良好的工人，忠勇的战士。在这末世主快再临的时候，上帝再三催促我们要起来担负他所付托我们的职责！我们到这里来，并不是为物质上的享乐，乃要付相当代价追求真理的实在。好像这次从沪到厦同行者80多人，受不了风浪颠荡，许多人晕吐僵卧备尝辛苦，叫我不禁伤感流泪。同行的人，束手无策只好用吟诗祈祷互相安慰。上帝愛我们召我们到达此地，要我们在真道上打定根基，希望大家多用安静工夫或在山上，或在密室，恳切求主指示，叫我们更加认清此来的使命。现在请看提摩太前书第一章，这里所提的6点很可以做我们本届查经大会的参考：辨别真伪——3，4节。在这末世时代左道邪说，到处烽起，淆乱听闻，一不小心必至跌倒。去年我到南洋一带工作，一走之后，就有人传讲须受浸两三次………才能得救等异端，动摇软弱兄姊的信心，其他各处恐怕也有同样的情形发生。希望主这次赐给我们一个辨别真伪是非之灵，叫我们不致误堕撒旦的网络。愛心道路——5节。我们愛主的心，太浅薄了。真诚愛主的人较诸夫妇之愛还亲密。雅歌一书即在描写基督徒间的亲密关系。那种纯洁、真挚的愛心是我们每个基督徒应有的。求主领导我们跑上愛的道路，叫我们愛主之心，一天深似一天。谦卑到底——6至11节。蒙恩的人常常犯了一种通病，步教法师的后尘，目空一切，高傲自大。丰富的灵恩就因着高傲断送去了。去年杭州大会的时候，灵恩沛然下降，多少弟兄姊妹大受灵雨滋润，勇气百倍，为主作证成绩斐然，魔鬼也在那个时候乘虚而入，叫一部分的人夸耀自己，一蹶不能复振，真太可怜。求主帮助我们克服自己，情愿与他同死同生，献给主用。荣耀圣名——17节。当我们向外布道，人家不喜欢的时候，常要故态复萌闹出气，责骂别人。其实我们都要经过这个阶段，使徒保罗蒙了恩召他并未夸张自己，且深知自己毫无力量，完全出乎主之恩愛，换句话说，他把一切的荣耀归给为他被杀的羔羊。打美好仗——18节。信徒和恶魔绝无妥协的余地。信徒虽然渺小无为，但靠凯旋之主凡事必能得胜有余。此番南下船中有180几个受过军事训练的青年学生，他们的精神饱满英气万分。在他们的思想中好像只有远大的将来，没有丝毫的怯懦彷徨混杂其间。但愿在座同道个个都受属灵的军事训练，成为基督的精兵，在战场上打美好的胜仗！保守良心，洁净自己——19，20节。许多信徒，良心丧失，在罪恶中混沌过活，有如汪洋扁舟，被风浪打得破烂不堪，覆沉堪虞！我们切要求吾主，管教我们，拯救我们，叫我们冲出孽海的汹涌，延登彼岸，做个完全得救的人！末了，但愿慈悲之灵、愛人的上帝把这些恩赐，丰丰富富的浇灌我们，充满我们，阿门！ ”              宋尚节在一个月之内带领会众查考整本66卷圣经，一千一百八十九章。令人赞叹的是，有972人全程参加。期间，宋尚节有时晚上备课到十二点，凌晨三四时又起来继续准备。他似乎预示到大雨将至，心中有极强的紧迫感，嗷嗷待哺的小羊需要装备，免得他们在风雨中走迷道路。七月二十六日早上，在毓德学校后山开露天查经会，天降大雨，许多人撑起伞，伞伞相连，形成一个合一的屏障，大家在雨中肃然而立，安静听道。会后，许多人仍留在雨中，心中涌出的感动久久不能平静。[4]          八月四日，宋尚节在日记中写了一首短歌：          “举目四面是黑暗，不觉伤心下泪。           靠自己奔跑前程，孤单灰心失志。           求我主与我同行，领我经过幽谷，           名利生命可丢弃，有主可说够了！”[5]         在大会闭幕时，宋尚节说到：“这本圣经算是你们的了。现在你们要带出去。我不过是送给你们一把钥匙，你们回去还要自己研究，里面有许多隐藏的宝贝，等候你们自己去开发。但愿上帝重用你们，为末世的精兵——这是这一次查经会最大的目标…… 虽然人家攻击毁谤，可是我只觉得在上帝与人之间无愧。我只是拼命的传福音，不贪取一块钱；同时我在这一个月中，好像被囚在监狱里，好多人要见我，实在抱歉得很。然而，这是出乎万不得已的，因为我每天都要预备分给大家的灵粮，忙得不可开交……        此外，我还要求上帝祝福你们，巴不得你们回去，到各地方鼓励查经。亲愛的兄弟姊妹！不要亏欠上帝的荣耀，你们白白得来的恩赐，也要白白的施舍出去……         我还告诉你们上帝奇妙的恩典。在还未开会以前，我求上帝三件事：一、天气凉快；二、聚会有良好的精神；三、会员身体平安。感谢主！他愛我们，不但叫天气特别凉快，还使聚会的精神一天比一天好。会员中虽有几位身体软弱的，然而一经祷告身体就好了。哈利路亚！荣耀归主！……        末了，愿上帝与你们同在，直到主再来！阿门！”[6]        这次聚会深深感动了一位教育传教士——在厦门女子中学（The Amoy Girl’s Middle School）任校长的霍尔克博尔小姐（Miss Tena Holkeboer）。她在写给朋友的信中说，那是“自己最深刻的经历”——看到来自中国各地的代表团被介绍给会众，并聆听他们各自献上最喜愛的圣诗。[7]        后来，蔡志澄评价道：       “夫圣经者真理之宝藏也。其宗旨之正大。感力之雄伟。诚为世上万书之书。历万古而常新。盖即上帝亘古以来。藉诸先圣先知将其律例典章救恩妙道。昭示世人之经典也。经中真理丰富深远。令人取之不尽用之不竭。凡蒙圣神启示。心虚玩索。必能百读不厌津津有味也……以言人数不谓不多。以言区域不谓不广。实空前之盛会。而以一月时光采用单纯式考查新旧约书。使一般人士得窥圣经全豹。饱尝灵恩滋味。尤称壮举”。[8]                [1] 宋尚节主领的第一次查经大会于1935年在杭州举行。                [2] 施玮(Shi Wei), 《献祭者》The Sacrifice，518。                [3]John Sung, Commentary on Joel, https://wellsofgrace.com/messages/song-sj/hmgl/07.htm, notes complied by Cai Zhicheng (蔡志澄), https://wellsofgrace.com/messages/song-sj/hmgl/07.htm, accessed October 29, 2025.  John Sung, Dr. John Sung’s Bible Study(I) (宋尚節全集———講經集（上）（Taiwan: Glory  Press, 1988), 3-5.                    [4] 施玮(Shi Wei), 《献祭者》The Sacrifice，520-521。                    [5] 施玮(Shi Wei), 《献祭者》The Sacrifice，522。                    [6] John Sung, Dr. John Sung’s Bible Study(III) (宋尚節全集———講經集（下）（Taiwan: Glory  Press, 1988), 469-471.                 [7]Anne C. Kwantes, She Has Done a Beautiful Thing for Me: Portraits of Christian Women in Asisa (Manila, Philippines: OMF Literature, 2005), 184-185. 转引自Lim Katong, The Life and Ministry of John Sung (Singapore: Genesis, 2012), 185.                    [8] Cai Zhicheng (蔡志澄), “宋尚节讲经集原序”(The Original Preface to John Sung’s Bible Study), in Commentary on Joel, https://wellsofgrace.com/messages/song-sj/hmgl/07.htm, accessed October 29, 2025.

11/9/25 Pastor’s Word   An Initiative Reflection on John Sung (continued from the above) Xiamen· John Sung in Xiamen         The Second Nationwide Bible Institute (1936)         Another significant event was the Second Nationwide Bible Institute, held in Xiamen from July 10 to August 8, 1936 by John Sung. [1] The newly built Trinity Church on Gulangyu was completed just in time, able to seat 1,600 people. [2] The conference drew about 2,000 delegates, including representatives from Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia, and the Philippines. For a full month, thousands studied the entire Bible together—a truly stirring scene.          Cai Zhicheng (蔡志澄) recorded John Sung’s opening message, “The Mission of This Bible Institute”, [3] in which Sung expressed gratitude for God’s providence and recounted how the Lord had impressed upon him to hold the second national Bible conference in Xiamen after his evangelistic tour in Southeast Asia, where over 5,000 came to faith. Seeing the spiritual decline and spread of heresy after earlier revivals, Sung believed this institute was God’s means to equip believers and strengthen the church. He expounded 1 Timothy 1, drawing six key truths for the conference:       “1. Discern Between Truth and Falsehood — Verses 3–4        In these last days, heresies and false teachings arise everywhere like raging fires, confusing the ears of many. Without vigilance, one may easily stumble. Last year, when I went to minister in the Nanyang region, soon after I left, there were people preaching strange doctrines, saying that one must be baptized two or three times to be saved. Such heresies shook the faith of the weaker brothers and sisters. I fear that similar situations may also have occurred elsewhere. May the Lord grant us this time a spirit of discernment, that we may distinguish between truth and falsehood, right and wrong, and not fall into Satan’s snares.         2. The Path of Love — Verse 5         Our love for the Lord is far too shallow. The love of those who truly love Him is even more intimate than the affection between husband and wife. The Song of Songs portrays precisely such an intimate relationship between Christ and His people. That pure and sincere love is what every Christian ought to possess. May the Lord lead us onto the road of love, that our love for Him may grow deeper day by day.         3. Humble to the End — Verses 6–11          Those who have received grace often fall into a common disease: following in the footsteps of the Pharisees—despising all others and becoming proud and arrogant. Rich spiritual blessings are often lost through pride. At last year’s institute in Hangzhou, the Spirit was poured out abundantly; many brothers and sisters were greatly refreshed by the heavenly rain and, filled with new courage, bore fruitful testimony for the Lord. Yet at that very moment, Satan took advantage of the situation—some began to boast of themselves, and they fell, never to rise again. How pitiful! May the Lord help us to overcome ourselves, to be willing to die and live together with Him, and to offer ourselves fully for His use.          4. Glorify the Holy Name — Verse 17          When we go out to preach and people do not welcome us, we often revert to our old temper and lash out in anger, blaming others. But we must all pass through such a stage. The Apostle Paul, after receiving his divine calling, never exalted himself. He knew well that he had no strength of his own—everything came from the grace and love of the Lord. In other words, he gave all the glory to the Lamb who was slain for him.          5. Fight the Good Fight — Verse 18         There can be no compromise between the believer and the devil. Though Christians may seem small and powerless, through the victorious Lord they can do all things and are more than conquerors. On my recent southbound voyage, there were 180 young students aboard who had received military training. Their spirits were high, full of heroic vigor. In their minds there seemed to be only a grand future ahead, with not a trace of fear or hesitation. May all who are present likewise undergo spiritual military training, becoming soldiers of Christ who fight the good fight on the battlefield!          6. Keep a Good Conscience and Purify Yourself — Verses 19–20          Many believers have lost their conscience and live in sin and confusion, like a broken ship tossed upon the vast ocean, beaten and battered by the waves, in danger of sinking at any time. We must earnestly ask our Lord to discipline us, to save us, to rescue us from the raging sea of iniquity, and to bring us safely to the other shore, that we may become people who are completely saved!         Conclusion         Finally, may the merciful Spirit and the God of love pour out these blessings upon us richly and abundantly, filling us completely. Amen!”         Within one month, John Sung led the entire assembly through all 66 books and 1,189 chapters of the Bible. Remarkably, 972 participants attended the full session. Sung often studied and prepared sermons until midnight, rising again at three or four in the morning. On July 26, he led an outdoor Bible study behind Yude School, despite heavy rain. People stood quietly under umbrellas, which together formed a canopy of unity. Many lingered long afterward, deeply moved by the Spirit. [4]         On August 4, Sung wrote a short hymn in his diary:         “I lift my eyes—darkness all around,         My heart breaks, and tears fall down.         Running alone on my weary way,         Discouraged, faint, without the crown.         O Lord, walk with me through the vale,         Through shadows deep, Your grace prevails;         Fame and life I can forsake—         If I have You, that is enough!” [5]         At the closing session, Sung exhorted the participants:         “Now this Bible belongs to you. I have merely given you the key—go and unlock its hidden treasures yourselves. May God use you as soldiers of the last days. Though people slander and attack me, I have a clear conscience before God and man. I have spent myself preaching the gospel without seeking a penny. For this whole month I have been shut up like a prisoner, unable to meet visitors, because I had to prepare the spiritual food for you each day…          I pray that God will bless you. Go back and encourage others to study the Bible. Freely you have received; freely give…          Before the conference began, I asked God for three things: cool weather, spiritual vitality, and good health for all. God answered beyond my expectations! The weather was cool, the meetings grew stronger each day, and those who felt weak were restored through prayer. Hallelujah! Glory to the Lord!          Finally, may God be with you until the Lord returns. Amen!” [6]         The meetings deeply moved Miss Tena Holkeboer, principal of The Amoy Girls’ Middle School, who described it in a letter to a friend as “one of the most profound experiences of my life”—witnessing representatives from across China introduce themselves and sing their favorite hymns. [7]         Cai Zhicheng later wrote:          “The Holy Bible is indeed the treasure house of truth. Its purpose is lofty, and its power profoundly moving—it is truly the Book of all books in the world, ever new through the ages. It is the divine classic through which God, since ancient times, has revealed His laws, ordinances, and the wondrous way of salvation to humankind by the prophets and holy men of old.        The truths contained in Scripture are rich and unfathomable, inexhaustible to those who seek them. Whoever, under the enlightenment of the Holy Spirit, approaches it with humility and meditation will find endless delight in reading it again and again…         As for the number of participants, it was by no means small; as for the regions represented, they were by no means few. Truly it was an unprecedented assembly. In the short span of a single month, by means of a simple and direct study of both the Old and New Testaments, people were enabled to gain a panoramic view of the whole Bible and to taste deeply the grace of the Spirit—indeed, a most remarkable achievement.” [8]                  [1] 宋尚节主领的第一次查经大会于1935年在杭州举行。                [2] 施玮(Shi Wei), 《献祭者》The Sacrifice，518。                [3]John Sung, Commentary on Joel, https://wellsofgrace.com/messages/song-sj/hmgl/07.htm, notes complied by Cai Zhicheng (蔡志澄), https://wellsofgrace.com/messages/song-sj/hmgl/07.htm, accessed October 29, 2025.  John Sung, Dr. John Sung’s Bible Study(I) (宋尚節全集———講經集（上）（Taiwan: Glory  Press, 1988), 3-5.                    [4] 施玮(Shi Wei), 《献祭者》The Sacrifice，520-521。                    [5] 施玮(Shi Wei), 《献祭者》The Sacrifice，522。                    [6] John Sung, Dr. John Sung’s Bible Study(III) (宋尚節全集———講經集（下）（Taiwan: Glory  Press, 1988), 469-471.                 [7]Anne C. Kwantes, She Has Done a Beautiful Thing for Me: Portraits of Christian Women in Asisa (Manila, Philippines: OMF Literature, 2005), 184-185. 转引自Lim Katong, The Life and Ministry of John Sung (Singapore: Genesis, 2012), 185.                    [8] Cai Zhicheng (蔡志澄), “宋尚节讲经集原序”(The Original Preface to John Sung’s Bible Study), in Commentary on Joel, https://wellsofgrace.com/messages/song-sj/hmgl/07.htm, accessed October 29, 2025.

初谈宋尚节（接上文）

上图：一九三四年十一月，宋尚节在厦门鼓浪屿英华书院大操场举行露天聚会[1]

• 宋尚节在厦门

        沿着早期传教士的足迹，二十世纪中国著名的布道家宋尚节多次踏上厦门这片土地。1927年他自美国归国后，于1928至1930年间外出传道，行程由近及远——起初在沿海一带的乡镇传讲福音，随后扩展至厦门、漳州、泉州等地，足迹遍及闽南、闽北以及近海岛屿，名声日益远播。[1]

        1934年11月3-13宋尚节来到厦门。当时，宋尚节在鼓浪屿最大的英华书院（Anglo-Chinese College）操场举行露天布道大会，场面盛大，人山人海。布道团的大小旗帜在鼓浪屿的大街小巷随风飘扬，成为全城瞩目的景象。鼓浪屿与厦门有一条狭窄的水道之隔。由于从厦门前往鼓浪屿听道的人数太多，奋兴会筹备委员会特地租用一艘汽船，负责运载听众往返两地。福州、泉州、厦门的长途汽车老板在听道受感后，主动将车船票价减半，以便更多人能前来参加聚会。人们早晨五点便来到会场，七点时已经座无虚席。由于天气炎热，奋兴会决定每天清晨六点开始。
        11月8日上午突降大雨，上千人仍手持雨伞，在英华书院操场聆听信息；许多人自带板凳、干粮，甚至有人宁可挨饿也不愿离开。宋尚节见听众对神话语的渴慕，身体虽虚弱，却仍不打伞，凭信心坚持讲道。9日下午专门为病人祷告。有人在报纸上发表文章，指控他通过邪术迷惑大众。有人故意安排80个患有各种疑难杂症的病人来实验他。他迫切地向上帝祷告，诗篇22：21节给了他信心：“求你救我脱离狮子的口；你已经应允我，使我脱离野牛的角”。[1] 宋尚节请人在讲台上拉起一块粗布帘，以免人群围观看热闹。面对病人，他问：“你带圣经了吗？你有信心吗?  ”他在为病人祷告时特别强调两点：第一，信心的重要；第二，认罪。[1] 他凭信心为八九百名病人逐一祷告，直到体力几乎耗尽，右手也因不断按手祷告而肿胀。等众人散去，又有四五百人进入教堂求祷告，他仍一一为他们代求。祷告完毕，他全身无力，只能将一切交托在神的手中，并不问结果。当天晚上，又有三千人参加聚会。他亲笔日记中记载：他总共为1,710位病人祷告。[2] 有位瞎眼瘸腿41年的病人可以看见和行走。另一位卧床10年、人用担架抬来的女士得到医治后，自己走回家。一位驼背女人可以直起腰来。一位富人家的博士儿子由于失去未婚妻变成疯子，在会上得到了医治。一个抽烟三十多年的人，以前每次想戒烟都痛哭流泪；但这一次，他彻底得了释放。[3]
        一位曾参加厦门聚会的基督徒女士，为患肾炎且吸食鸦片以缓解病痛的父亲担忧，便劝他参加聚会。结果他不仅得救，疾病痊愈，也戒除了鸦片。然而，他最初不愿销毁家中的鸦片储备，子女提议卖掉引发争执，他一气之下昏倒。醒来后，他讲述了一个梦，认为这是神的警告，这才愿意彻底销毁所有鸦片。[4] 这个见证也提醒基督徒悔改要彻底，并且也绝不可以再将害人的鸦片卖给别人继续害人。
        期间，约有二三十名流氓曾向会场投掷石块滋事，但很快被警察驱散。原定为期六天的奋兴会，因群众热切的回应而延长至十二天。聚会结束后，厦门一间赌馆关门歇业。由于人潮过多造成交通堵塞，警局担心再有骚扰事件，遂下令终止聚会。离开厦门前，宋尚节又为约四百名病人祷告。临行时，一千二百人涌到码头送行，场面极为感人。[5]
                             （未完待续）

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                [1] Levi Sung, The Diary of John Sung, 220.

                [2] John Sung, Rg263-006-002-v31-1934.06.24_11.13.pdf, Yale Divinity Library.

                [3] Levi Sung, The Diary of John Sung, 220.

                [4] Leslie T. Tyall, A Biography of John Sung (Singapore: Amour, 2004), 172.

                [5] 施伟(Shi Wei), 《献祭者》The Sacrifice: John Sung (Los Angeles: Spiritual Literature & Arts, 2019), 472-475.

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                [1] Levi Sung, The Diary of John Sung, 220.

                [2] John Sung, Rg263-006-002-v31-1934.06.24_11.13.pdf, Yale Divinity Library.

                [3] Levi Sung, The Diary of John Sung, 220.

                [4] Leslie T. Tyall, A Biography of John Sung (Singapore: Amour, 2004), 172.

                [5] 施伟(Shi Wei), 《献祭者》The Sacrifice: John Sung (Los Angeles: Spiritual Literature & Arts, 2019), 472-475.

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                [1] Levi Sung, The Diary of John Sung: Extracts from His Journals and Notes, trans. by Pheng
 Soon Thng (Singapore: Genesis Books, 2012), 219.

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                [1] Levi Sung, The Diary of John Sung: Extracts from His Journals and Notes, trans. by Pheng
 Soon Thng (Singapore: Genesis Books, 2012), 219.

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                    [1] Leslie T Lyall, A Biography of John Sung (Singapore: Genesis, 2004), 270.

An Initiative Reflection on John Sung
(continued from the above)

John Sung in Xiamen
         Following in the footsteps of early missionaries, the renowned Chinese evangelist John Sung (宋尚节) visited Xiamen several times. After returning to China from the United States in 1927, he began itinerant preaching from 1928 to 1930. His ministry started in small coastal towns and gradually expanded to cities such as Xiamen, Zhangzhou, and Quanzhou, spreading throughout both southern and northern Fujian and even to nearby islands. His fame grew rapidly. [1]
         
         The 1934 Evangelistic Meetings in Xiamen
        From November 3–13, 1934, John Sung held large open-air evangelistic meetings on the athletic field of the Anglo-Chinese College on Gulangyu Island. The scene was spectacular—crowds packed the grounds, and banners of all sizes bearing the name of the evangelistic team fluttered through the streets and alleys of the island. Gulangyu and Xiamen were separated by only a narrow stretch of water. Because so many people from Xiamen wished to attend, the revival committee chartered a steamship to transport the audience back and forth between the two locations.
       Touched by the revival, long-distance bus and boat owners from Fuzhou, Quanzhou, and Xiamen offered half-price tickets so that more people could attend. People arrived as early as five a.m., and by seven the place was already full. Because of the heat, the meetings were scheduled to start at six in the morning.
       On November 8, heavy rain fell, yet over a thousand people, holding umbrellas, remained to hear the message. Many brought stools and food, while others chose to fast rather than miss the sermon. Seeing their spiritual hunger, Sung, though weak in body, refused to use an umbrella and preached in faith.
       On the afternoon of the 9th, he prayed specifically for the sick. Some newspapers accused him of using sorcery to deceive the masses. Skeptics brought about eighty seriously ill people to test him. Deeply burdened, Sung prayed earnestly, and Psalm 22:21 gave him faith: “Save me from the mouth of the lion; you have rescued me from the horns of the wild oxen.” [3] He asked that a coarse curtain be hung around the platform to prevent curious onlookers from distracting the crowd. To the sick he would ask, “Do you have your Bible? Do you have faith?” He emphasized two things in his healing ministry: faith and confession of sin. [4] With faith, he prayed for 800–900 patients one by one, until he was completely exhausted and his right hand swollen from laying hands on so many people. After the crowd dispersed, another 400–500 entered the church for prayer, and he interceded for each of them. When all was done, he was drained of strength and simply committed everyone into God’s hands without asking about the results. That evening, another 3,000 people attended the meeting. In his diary, he recorded that he had prayed for 1,710 sick people in total. [5]
        Miraculous healings abounded: a man blind and lame for forty-one years could see and walk; a woman bedridden for ten years and carried on a stretcher walked home by herself; a woman with a hunched back could stand upright; a Ph.D. Son from a rich family who had gone insane after losing his fiancée was healed; and a smoker of over thirty years who had wept every time he tried to quit was completely delivered. [6]
        A Christian woman who had attended the meetings became concerned for her father, who suffered from nephritis and used opium to ease his pain. She persuaded him to attend, and there he was saved, healed, and delivered from his opium addiction. Yet he initially refused to destroy the opium stock in his house, proposing to sell it instead. A quarrel broke out, and in anger, he fainted. When he came to, he described a dream—a warning voice from God—which convinced him to destroy all his opium. [7] This testimony reminded believers that repentance must be thorough, and one must not sell opium (sin) to harm others.
        During the meetings, about twenty to thirty hooligans tried to disrupt the gatherings by throwing stones, but the police quickly drove them away. The revival, initially scheduled for six days, was extended to twelve days due to overwhelming response. After the meetings, a gambling den in Xiamen closed down. Because the enormous crowds caused traffic jams and the police feared further disturbances, the revival was eventually ordered to stop. Before leaving Xiamen, Sung prayed for about 400 more sick people, and over 1,200 people came to the pier to see him off—a deeply moving scene. [8]
 

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                     [1] Leslie T Lyall, A Biography of John Sung (Singapore: Genesis, 2004), 270.

                    [2] Refer to: accessed October 29, 2025, https://cmchurch.org/2018/10/29/%E4%BA%8C%E5%8D%81%E4%B9%9D%E3%80%81%E6%81%A9%E9%97%A8%E5%A4%A7%E5%BC%80%EF%BC%881934-1935%E5%B9%B4%E9%97%BD%E8%8B%8F%E6%B5%99%E7%B2%A4%E6%B4%A5%E4%BA%AC%E5%86%80%E8%8F%B2%EF%BC%89/.

                [3] Levi Sung, The Diary of John Sung: Extracts from His Journals and Notes, trans. by Pheng
 Soon Thng (Singapore: Genesis Books, 2012), 219.

                [4] Levi Sung, The Diary of John Sung, 220.

                [5] John Sung, Rg263-006-002-v31-1934.06.24_11.13.pdf, Yale Divinity Library.

                [6] Levi Sung, The Diary of John Sung, 220.

                [7] Leslie T. Tyall, A Biography of John Sung (Singapore: Amour, 2004), 172.

                [8] 施伟(Shi Wei), 《献祭者》The Sacrifice: John Sung (Los Angeles: Spiritual Literature & Arts, 2019), 472-475.