On March 6, 2025, Rev. Lin Shengben, China's sacred music pioneer and editor of the Chinese New Hymnal, passed away in Shanghai at the age of 98.
The Hongkou District CC&TSPM announced the peaceful passing of Reverend Lin at 10 a.m. on Thursday morning. The news was shared through the official account of Shanghai Jingling Church the following day. A memorial service was held in Shanghai on Sunday.
Rev. Lin Shengben was famous for his decades' contribution to Chinese sacred music as a member of the editorial board of the Chinese New Hymnal and the executive editor of the Selected Hymns. He also composed hymns like "Jesus, the Bright Morning Star" and "Never Cease Praising the Grace of the Lord" that have touched the hearts of countless Christians. Some of his other hymns in the Chinese New Hymnal include "Lord Jesus, I Praise Thee" (No. 47), "Jesus our Savior Word Incarnate" (No. 84), "Jesus My Lord Was Crucified for Me" (No. 103), "Winter Is Past, the Rain Is Gone" (No. 248), "God's Love Flows" (No. 257), "Happy Is Our Life" (No. 309), and "Open My Eyes, O My Lord" (No. 332). It has been said that many non-believers were deeply moved by the Holy Spirit and even converted to the Lord with tears after listening to Lin's hymns.
Born in Xinhui, Guangdong Province on May 5, 1927, Rev. Lin Shengben learned to play the piano from western missionaries in his childhood. Rev. Lin began his theological journey in 1945 at the Alliance Bible Institute in Wuzhou, Guangxi Province. He then moved on to the Baptist Theological Seminary in Guangzhou for three years, starting in 1947. In 1950, Rev. Lin continued his theological studies for two years at the China Baptist Theological Seminary in Shanghai, specializing in church music under the tutelage of Professor Ma Geshun, a prominent figure in Chinese sacred music conducting. In 1952, he furthered his studies for an additional two years at the Nanjing Union Theological Seminary. During his early years in ministry, Rev. Lin served at the Church of Canton Baptist in Shanghai. In the early 1980s, he assumed the pastoral role at the Shanghai Christian Jingling Church or the Young John Allen Memorial Church upon its reopening. In addition to his work as a pastor, Rev. Lin was a member of the Chinese Christian Hymnal Committee and served as one of the editors for the Chinese New Hymnal and executive editor of the Selected Hymns.
Upon the reopening of the church in Shanghai in 1981, Rev. Lin, who was serving as a pastor at the time, was ordained at the age of 54 during the inaugural ordination ceremony alongside the recently deceased Rev. Dai Lizhen, the first female pastor to be ordained at that time.
While serving at Jingling Church, Rev. Lin dedicated himself to the ministry of Christian music indigenization. He served as a former member of the Chinese Christian Hymnal Committee. He also spent many years studying biblical theology and sacred music, as well as teaching theology and training others in sacred music across the country.
His memorial service was held at Baoxing Funeral Home on Sunday, with pastors and believers from Shanghai, Hong Kong, Wenzhou, and Chengdu in attendance.
Rev. Lin's daughter, Lin Dehua, delivered a heartfelt thank-you speech on behalf of the family. She expressed deep gratitude to all the pastors and fellow believers for their presence, especially those who had traveled from afar, which profoundly touched her.
In her eyes, Pastor Lin was both a strict and loving father, always guiding his children to be faithful and to love the Lord. She shared that, despite the overwhelming sorrow, we do not grieve, "for we are certain that in that more beautiful homeland, we will meet again." She said, "May your life ignite a fire of love for the Lord in future generations, and may the Lord r
eceive the glory He deserves. Dear Dad, rest in peace, and we will meet again in our heavenly home."
- Translated by Joyce Leung, Mark Cui
