In Lixin County, Anhui Province, a region that once struggled with poverty and natural disasters, a stunning gray and white church quietly stands in the western part of the county. This modern building, featuring a contemporary design that exudes a sense of reverence, blends seamlessly with its surroundings, making it a distinctive landmark in the area. It serves not only as a space for church services and activities, but also functions as an office and training center. However, the journey to build this impressive church was anything but easy.
In 2005, an elderly pastor and his family rented a low-rise house by the roadside, where they held the very first church meeting. Soon after, the road was elevated due to construction, leaving the church situated in a low-lying area. Consequently, during the rainy season, the church would often become waterlogged, forcing the congregation to worship amidst the rising waters.
Afterward, the church needed to find itself a new meeting spot. With the approval of local authorities, they rented a piece of land and set up a temporary steel structure. The congregation, guided by the church staff, undertook the task of repairing the roads and installing electrical infrastructure, enhancing the worship environment through their own efforts. As the surrounding area improved, the church began to thrive, and the membership grew from around a hundred to two hundred to between four and five hundred.
In 2015, due to some changes in county planning, the government expropriated the land where the church was located, leading to the demolition of its steel-frame building. Once again, there was no place to gather. After some negotiations, the government freely allocated over five acres of land to the church. During the transition period, the church built a new steel-frame house. However, the basic steel structure raised safety concerns and became uncomfortably hot during the summer months, particularly putting the health of the elderly members at risk. Due to these challenges, the church started making plans to build a new building.
To start the building project as quickly as possible, the staff visited various departments to tackle all the necessary formalities. However, the complicated process caused the project to halt for two years. Once construction finally began, the congregation all joined in with enthusiasm, participating in the foundational work by moving and passing bricks. To keep costs down, the staff took on the responsibility of buying materials, planning the timber, and painting the walls. Once the new church was completed, they even moved the heavy pews personally into the main hall on the second floor.
The main structure of the church is finally complete. However, the church is still facing some significant challenges. With limited financial resources, most of the local congregation members work in agriculture, temporary jobs, or run small businesses. Furthermore, the relocation has led to the loss of many former members. While around 200 to 300 fellow believers regularly attend services each week, the offerings are not enough to cover the expenses for the church's construction. The church is burdened with millions of dollars in debt and is required to repay approximately 40,000 yuan in loans each month.
On the day we visited, the old pastor, now in his seventies, was still on the road, travelling extensively to raise funds for the church. Meanwhile, his eldest daughter, Sister Guan, and his second son-in-law, Brother Ru, who is currently battling kidney disease, are leading a team of coworkers to keep the church running. Reflecting on her journey in church service, Sister Guan shared, "When I first started studying theology, I didn't really feel a calling from God; I was just following my father's wishes. But as I got involved in the church and saw how faith transformed the lives of my fellow believers, my desire to serve grew stronger."
Despite facing financial challenges, and with church staff receiving only 500 yuan in living expenses this year, Sister Guan remains hopeful about the church's future. "Our church is situated in the western part of the county, and development is progressing in our direction. Establishing a church is a long-term vision for us. While we've experienced instability in the past, we are grateful for God's grace, which has allowed us to finally secure a stable meeting place."
Brother Ru has been fighting kidney disease for almost ten years now. He goes through dialysis three times a week, but that does not stop him from serving at the church. He has a pale complexion and a slender build, with his skin marked by rashes that have worsened due to toxin buildup in his body. "My whole body itches, like I've been stung by wheat awns," Brother Ru said with a wry smile. "I'm careful about using medication, so I just have my wife scrape my skin with tools to help ease the itch." His arms show the signs of his long-term treatment, marked by two deformed pinholes from the dialysis. Each session results in blood loss, requiring extra nutrition for him to recover. While subsistence allowances can help cover some of the costs, the annual expenses of his treatment remain a significant financial burden. Despite these challenges, Brother Ru expressed profound gratitude: "I am thankful to be alive and able to continue serving."
As we were leaving, the church's Bible study meeting was about to start. A group of about 20 to 30 believers gathered in the pews, singing hymns in their modest voices as they awaited the session to begin. "From having nothing, God has guided us to experience His abundant grace," Brother Ru remarked. "We believe that our challenges are just temporary. Seeing our fellow believers worship with grateful hearts in this new church truly brings joy to both God and us."
Originally published by the Gospel Times
- Translated by Joyce Leung
