China's sacred music pioneer Rev. Lin Shengben passed away in Shanghai at the age of 98 on March 6, 2025. The hymnal books he compiled filled the gap in the church's sacred music needs during the early years of the reform and opening-up, and the sacred music training class he initiated in Xiamen trained a large number of choir leaders for churches nationwide.

After decades of working in the church, some senior pastors have come to another stage in their lives—retirement. Before retirement, some of them were leaders of seminaries, principal leaders of CC&TSPM, or heads of churches. Their specific circumstances are different, but some of them show one thing in common, that is, they remain active in ministry.

In Chengcheng County, Weinan City, Shaanxi Province, located on the Loess Plateau, there was a pastor I knew in my early years. He had served in Shanxi for a year before, and we became good friends. More than ten years later, I renewed my understanding of him through hearing and witnessing his diligent service.

Sister Li, leader of a rural church in a mountainous area, reflects on 2024's challenges and achievements while sharing plans for 2025, including faith education innovations, youth engagement, mutual aid, and contributions to rural development.

In Shaanxi Province, a 90-year-old elder continues her devoted service to the Lord. Born in 1935, the minister followed Jesus after experiencing healing from a serious illness and leads a large church that started with just six people.

On November 5, a special memorial service was held in the Lvliang Mountains, west of Linfen in Shanxi, for Elder Yan Guiying, head of the Sixth Pastoral Area of Yaodu District Church, who went to be with the Lord in the early morning of October 29.

Pastor Yuan Wenhuan, born in a small village in Longgu Town, Pei County, Jiangsu Province in 1900, was recognized as one of the pioneering pastors serving along the border between Jiangsu and Shandong provinces.

Pastors are often in a position where they are needed, as believers seek their help when they face challenges. But what should pastors do when they themselves are overwhelmed by long-term pressure or face problems they can't overcome? Several pastors have navigated this difficult threshold in different ways and discovered some support methods.

The growth and development of a church are not solely the work of one person or even one group but rather the result of generational succession.

Like Pastor Y, many grassroots pastors quietly persevere because of their love for the Lord. In the Lord, every act of service is remembered. When the six stone jars are filled with water, when seeds are awakened by the right conditions of temperature, moisture, and light, God’s mighty power will come upon us in an awe-inspiring way.