Muzhi (pseudonym) is a grassroots pastor who made the transition from a rural church to an urban church. He was called by God to be a minister in his early twenties. In the beginning, he worked in the fields for a living, just as other believers did in the countryside; meanwhile, he served in the church without a salary. Later, after the Lord led him into the city, he started to run his own small business, on the one hand, to ensure time for ministry and, on the other hand, to support his family.
Despite being a part-time pastor, he shepherds believers in several meeting places. In order to accommodate more believers, his wife has to serve at another meeting point at the same time. When believers call for assistance, he halts his activities and, on occasion, even takes a green-skinned train with staff workers to reach believers' homes in faraway or rural areas.
He lent his aid to numerous marginalized groups in various ways, including reuniting estranged families, tending to orphans until they got married and had children, guiding the children of his friends who were struggling with depression, visiting elderly people living alone, and helping cancer patients, family members of leukemia patients, and drug addicts. With the help of Muzhi and his church staff, these ostracized groups gradually returned to God and became true witnesses of God's love.
Inspired by Paul’s teaching, "I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means, I might save some," Muzhi has held on to it as a guiding principle, bearing in mind during his long-standing service within grassroots churches.
When asked about serving special groups, Muzhi highlighted three key points that should not be ignored, beginning with the serving personnel's humble attitude, putting aside their subjective judgments, and attempting to understand their actual needs through listening to their experiences. Muzhi emphasized that humility was the most crucial virtue.
For example, when leading husbands reached middle age and started to go astray due to increased income, Muzhi did not immediately adopt a moralistic stance and critique them. Instead, he places himself in a similar situation to understand the weakness of human nature. On this foundation, he guides these husbands on how to confront temptations correctly, appreciates their family, and improve the relationship between themselves as husband and wife. Through this guidance, the cheating husbands recognized that their "mistresses" were not genuinely devoted to them but merely toyed with their emotions, which motivated them to reflect and return to their families.
Besides humility, Muzhi believed that service personnel should be sincere and love unconditionally. He argued that though many individuals show concern for vulnerable groups, some only intend to showcase themselves. "If your motives are not pure, the other person can perceive it. Since God grants people the wisdom to distinguish honesty, once the individuals being helped do not experience sincerity, they will shut themselves away. Without trust, one cannot provide further assistance since they have not opened up their hearts,” the pastor explained.
Muzhi has served many people, such as prostitutes many people want to hide from; dirty single men with snot in their faces who have been turned away by their children; rebellious youths in drug treatment centers; wounded people who have lost hope in life in earthquake-stricken areas...
Even though not every individual will believe in Jesus based on the aid they receive, God's affection is "unconditional". Muzhi contends that individuals should not place excessive importance on the effectiveness of their assistance as long as they continue to display the love of Jesus. The work of the Holy Spirit decides when and whether individuals decide to believe in the Lord, he elaborated.
Lastly, "It is insufficient for staffers to solely have intentions or compassion; they must also demonstrate action." Muzhi remarked, "As service providers, we must put our aid into practice. Service is not a task since it entails more than observing, listening, or praying for others. Empathy, rejoicing with those who rejoice, and weeping with those who cry are necessary to be able to recognize the needs of the other person and endeavor to assist them with love."
Muzhi discussed the various ways his church provides assistance to patients who are suffering from serious illnesses such as tumors and their families. Beyond visitation and intercession, the church has also developed additional means of support. Following consultations with church staff, Muzhi resolved to procure a residence in close proximity to the hospital to accommodate financially disadvantaged patients and their loved ones. In view of patient mobility, this facility could serve multiple patients and their families for an extended period of time. Muzhi aspires that through these efforts, patients and their families will continue to believe in the benevolence of the Lord Jesus, who remains willing to assist them during their most challenging times.
It is noteworthy that our church not only engages with numerous ordinary individuals but also collaborates with highly educated people who willingly apply their skills for the benefit of the Lord.
- Translated by Abigail Wu
