In September 2003, during a rainy afternoon in Hangzhou, an elderly gentleman paid a visit to Rev. Zhang Yaofa at his office in Hangzhou Sicheng Church, Zhejiang Province. The gentleman, who seemed to be in his sixties or seventies, was wearing a tattered white shirt that bore visible patches.
"I would love to be involved in the construction project of Chongyi Church and make a small offering." He also asked Rev. Zhang to bring the church accountant.
During the conversation, the church accountant couldn't help but exclaim, "Sir, did I hear you correctly? Is it really one million yuan?"
"Yes. This is the house of God, and I just want to do my part and give it my all," said the elderly brother.
On December 21, 2001, with the approval of the CPC Hangzhou Municipal Committee and Hangzhou Municipal People's Government, the historic Chongyi Church, with a century-old legacy, commenced its reconstruction at a new location, and the foundation stone was laid on December 30, 2003. A thanksgiving service was held on May 2, 2005, to celebrate the new church building, bringing together Christians from near and far to mark the beginning of a new era for the Hangzhou church. A year later, the church celebrated its anniversary with the theme of "Make Your Life Extraordinary." Then, in 2015, for its tenth anniversary, the church invited local and international guests to join in on the mission of "Live the Mission, Go the Extra Mile."
On May 3, 2025, Chongyi Church marked its 20th anniversary with the theme "Together in Love, Forward We Go." During the celebration, Rev. Zhang Yaofa, president of Zhejiang Christian Council, gave a sermon titled "The God of Great Deeds," in which he shared the story of a humble brother-in-Christ dressed in simple attire. The church's records reveal that the construction fund, which amounted to over 70 million yuan, was completely covered by the generous offerings from the congregation.
"This is an amazing example of God's divine guidance," exclaimed Rev. Zhang in the sermon part. "Without the touch of the Holy Spirit, who would be willing to give so generously?"
Psalm 126:3 says, "The Lord has indeed done great deeds for us, and we are overflowing with joy!" This verse reflects the gratitude expressed by the Israelites upon their return to their homeland following seventy years of captivity in Babylon. Similarly, it resonates with the thankfulness felt by the congregation of Chongyi Church, who have been blessed by God's grace for the past twenty years.
Rev. Zhang highlighted three key words from the verse: "great deeds", "indeed", and "joy". Through these words, he reflected on the church's construction and growth, explaining how these words demonstrate God's faithfulness and power, the believers' thankfulness and faith grounded in grace, and their joyful attitude towards both the past and future.
The Israelites frequently recounted two "great deeds" that God did for them: the Exodus from Egypt and their deliverance from the Babylonian exile. Both of these events were in fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham and the prophecy given through Jeremiah. They compared these "great deeds" to the restoration of streams in the Negev, something that only God could make possible. Rev. Zhang pointed out that Chongyi Church has also received similar grace from God. Since the church was established, the congregation has grown from hundreds to thousands. Various ministries within the church, including Bible studies, discipleship training, family and workplace ministries, and charitable and social services, have also flourished. Every breakthrough and growth during this time shows the incredible work that God has done.
Chongyi Church celebrated its first, tenth, and now twentieth anniversary. Over the years, the themes of the thanksgiving services have evolved from personal spiritual growth to the vision and mission of group ministries. Believers are now encouraged to not only focus on their own development but also to collaborate as a congregation.
"I believe that whenever people in Hangzhou and throughout the country see Chongyi Church, they not only pray for the church but also rejoice in it," Rev. Zhang stated.
In his closing remarks, Rev. Zhang urged churches and believers to continue learning and growing with the support of God's grace. He emphasized the importance of always remembering His grace and showing love to others through their actions. By doing so, the church can shine as a beacon of light in the city and witness the transformative power of grace.
Outside the church, the twelve steps leading to the main hall of Chongyi Church were adorned with flower baskets from partner churches and organizations in Zhejiang Province. These included the Zhejiang Provincial CC&TSPM, as well as the Provincial CC&TSPMs of Ningbo, Cixi, Wenling, and Taizhou, along with churches from these areas, churches and meeting points from other districts in Hangzhou, as well as the Hangzhou YMCA and YWCA.
- Edited by Karen Luo, translated by Joyce Leung
