Pastor L (pseudonym) is a fourth-generation Christian whose family has come to faith ever since her great grandfather. The heritage of faith has been passed on from one generation to the next, to her grandfather, father and now her. In addition, siblings of her grandfather, her father, and her own all believe in Jesus, and her father-in-law is also a pastor of the church. Recently, L recounted to the Gospel Times, an online Chinese Christian website, her family faith story and how she inherited her family's faith.
L serves in a church in City X (pseudonym) which was founded by her late grandfather whose faith story has a profound impact on her.
She remembered that when she was a child, her grandfather led gatherings at home and explained the Bible to her and her sisters. She felt that her grandfather was very caring that he often brought those who were bound by demons to live in their home for more than half a month. Furthermore, L has also witnessed that her grandfather was generous and loving towards both the church and believers. Money given by her five aunts (all Christians) during Chinese festivals was mostly saved by her grandfather who would rather live a simple life. But when he saw that the church and believers were in need, he donated all the money. Her grandfather dedicated his whole life to God, which was a character of "loyalty to God" that was deeply imprinted on L's heart.
Influenced by her grandfather, her father also embarked on the path of full-time ministry, for which he studied theology in college for two years. Her father used to be a tailor, teaching at a fashion school.
"My father is a very introverted person who doesn't talk much. It's incredible for him to become a pastor today and preach from the pulpit." She felt that her father's journey of serving was really the grace of God. "My father was in his second year in the seminary when my grandfather became critically ill." L recalled that at that time, seeing her grandfather lying in the living room, her father struggled to make decisions with all conflicting voices in his ears. "Since your father is in this terminal condition, how can you go to study theology?" "You must resolutely offer everything to God." When he was hesitant in making the decision, her grandfather in bed urged him " to serve the church heartily, be loyal to God, and never be greedy for fame and fortune.”
"My father went to school crying after hearing what my grandfather said. Later my mother quit her job to take care of my grandfather at home," L said.
Soon afterwards, her father graduated from theology college, meanwhile L got her high school degree. Her father suggested her to take the exam to study theology. However, she thought that seminary wasn’t suitable for her since she had an outgoing personality and loved to play since she was a child. "Attending a seminary is only good for the older people." That was her first impression of the seminary. Yet her father insisted that she should just give it a try. He advised that she went to study theology if she passed the exam, otherwise just dropped the idea if she failed.
Then, L worked as a receptionist in a hotel, while studying the test preparation materials when she was free. During night shifts, she read the Bible and did test sample papers. However, she never expected to really pass the entrance test, nor did she want to. The seminary started on September 1. Surprisingly she only received the admission letter on September 26, for which she thought she didn’t make the admission list.
L studied a program of divinity in the seminary for five years during which her faith truly took root. She recalled that in the beginning, studying theology was simply to make her father happy. For the first two years, she didn't feel much. Nevertheless, in the third year, she suddenly sensed that God was letting her experience the transformation from being her parents’ God to be her God. "I am to feed the flock of sheep at the foot of the mountain. All of a sudden, I have a sense of mission."
L is currently serving in the church. Even though she experiences various challenges and troubles in the real world, she is deeply and constantly encouraged by what her grandfather used to advise her father "to serve the church heartily, be loyal to God, and never be greedy for fame and fortune".
- Translated by Shuya Wang
