A growing number of churches today face a lack of successors, particularly among leadership and pastoral staff. As senior church leaders retire or prepare to step down, they often find themselves struggling to find someone ready to take their place.
In contrast to the dilemma faced by churches, Pastor Zhao, who has served in a city in eastern China for years, is now facing the "trouble of happiness" - he is overwhelmed by an abundance of young people eager to serve full-time in ministry—so much so that he has had to turn some away.
"In our church, we have two full-time workers who receive only a modest stipend of 1,000 yuan per month, but even so, they continue to serve." Pastor Zhao explained, "Despite the limited financial support, they remain dedicated to serving. And remarkably, God has never let them go without."
In order to mingle with the young people, Pastor Zhao would go camping and picnic with them. In his office, he has camping gear for camping and picnics.
Unlike other churches, his church prioritizes its best resources to young people. "We have recently completed the construction of a new venue, which was undergoing renovations until recently, and a large area has been designated for their use. The existing facility will continue to serve middle-aged and elderly, while a newer and improved space will be created for the younger generation."
Years ago, as a young pastor, he regularly invited groups of young people to eat at his home. That close-knit group eventually became the first generation of Christians under his leadership.
"Back then, our family faced serious financial struggles," he recalls. "But no matter how difficult things were, my wife and I put our hearts into preparing good meals for them. Every night, we would plan what to cook the next day. It required time, effort, and money—but it was worth it."
Many of these young people came from broken homes, abandoned or neglected by their parents. Over time, Pastor Zhao and his wife nurtured them, transforming them into capable leaders who are now highly sought after by other churches.
"Today, they are my most trusted co-workers," he says.
In the process of nurturing young people, Pastor Zhao pays great attention to the overall development of a person's faith and character. One of the key programs in his ministry is the Family Challenge Task, which encourages young people to strengthen their relationships with their families.
One lesson, for example, focuses on active listening. Participants are asked to sit down with their parents and patiently listen to their life stories. "Many parents end up in tears as they share their past," Pastor Zhao observes. "They feel deeply moved, realizing their children have truly matured."
While some students spend their school holidays attending tutoring programs, Pastor Zhao chooses to invest in their spiritual growth, funding short-term mission trips where they can share the Gospel. He personally leads these trips—his own daughter included—believing that leadership requires leading by example.
According to Pastor Zhao, the way young people come to faith has changed.
"In the past, someone would first believe in Jesus, then become part of God's family. Now, the process often works in reverse. They need to experience belonging first—to feel welcomed into a loving community—before they gradually open their hearts to faith."
He also believes young people should be treated as future leaders, not simply entertained. "If you act like their babysitter, you'll raise followers. But if you lead them as equals, you'll raise leaders."
When Pastor Zhao first felt called to ministry, he was struck by a verse from Lamentations: "My people are devastated; their children grow weak with hunger and faint in the streets." He sees today's youth as spiritually starving—desperate for guidance yet often overlooked. His mission is clear: to nourish them, not just physically, but spiritually, in obedience to God's call.
- Edited by Nicci Rossouw, translated by Nicolas Cao
