On August 26, more than 20 church leaders from the Shenyang Municipal CC&TSPM visited the Yangqian Christian Activity Site in Yangshibao Township, Liaozhong District, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, to convey their care and support after it was struck by a tornado.
According to Xinhua Net, at around 9:00 p.m. on August 21, a tornado struck Yangshibao Township, causing varying degrees of damage. No fatalities were reported, though 10 residents sustained minor injuries. A total of 193 buildings were damaged, prompting authorities to organize the urgent relocation of residents. Centralized resettlement sites were set up in three villages, with schools designated as backup shelters. In addition, 204 greenhouses and more than 20 vehicles were damaged, while the overall extent of losses is still under assessment.
Xu Yaqing, director of the Yangshibao Christian Activity Site, described the damage to the church as well as to the homes and greenhouses of local believers. When a tornado with heavy rain struck Yangqian, Yanghou, and Xiapuzi villages in Yangshibao Township on Aug. 21, the cross atop the Yangqian Christian Activity Site's chapel was torn down, the main door was blown off and part of the roof was battered. Sections of PVC ceiling panels collapsed, wrecking electrical appliances. In the following days, continuous rainfall further soaked the church floor.
On Tuesday, exterior electric poles were uprooted, and 80 percent of the annex roof had been ripped away. Sister Xu noted that the preliminary estimate of the affected area is about 1,500 square meters, with one of the church's transformers severely damaged, leaving the church without electricity and unable to hold normal gatherings. She expressed gratitude that, despite the destruction, no casualties were reported.
Upon learning of the disaster, Rev. Ren Chuanyu, chairperson and president of the district CC&TSPM, personally led staff to Yangqian Church, despite still recovering from tumor surgery. Deeply moved, Rev. Xu shared, "He offered guidance and coordinated various aspects of our post-disaster reconstruction while maintaining daily communication with me. We were truly touched."
She added that following the tornado, local government authorities promptly provided assistance and continued to monitor the situation on a daily basis. In addition, many neighboring churches visited soon after the disaster to extend their care and support.
Greenhouse vegetable cultivation is a locally distinctive form of agriculture in the Yangqian area, with many church members depending on it for their livelihood. The tornado and heavy rain inflicted extensive destruction on these structures. Some families lost four greenhouses entirely, while others lost two or three. Sister Xu's own family had three greenhouses, two of which were completely destroyed. In addition, the tornado tore off the entire roof of her home, leaving it exposed to the elements. Her personal losses are estimated between 70,000 and 80,000 yuan, while the Yangqian Church suffered roughly 100,000 yuan in losses.
As this is a rural community and most church members are elderly with limited incomes, securing funds for repairs poses a significant challenge. Local believers are praying for God's mercy and hoping that fellow Christians will provide support to help rebuild the building and its facilities before the onset of the harsh Northeast winter.
On behalf of the Shenyang Municipal CC&TSPM, Chairperson Rev. Wan Yongbao donated 20,000 yuan to the Yangqian Christian Activity Site. He also encouraged the fifteen other Christian activity centers in the district to contribute to the site during their Sunday services as a special offering.
"We invest heavily in greenhouse facilities each year. This time, we had only been planting seedlings for less than a month when this devastating natural disaster struck." Xu said, "We are praying for God to provide the necessary funds quickly so that we can repair our chapel and resume gatherings. This is our greatest hope."
Originally published by the Gospel Times
- Edited by Karen Luo and translated by Poppy Chan
