In an ethnic village in southeastern China, a scenic tourist attraction full of ethnic features, there is a small Christian church. In the church, Pastor L is responsible for presenting Christian culture to tourists from all over the world, answering their various questions, and preaching the gospel. Facing tourists every day, Pastor L has stayed for fifteen or sixteen years. Tourists come and go, but he is steadfast.
A wife who was about to divorce stopped by this church on her trip. She walked in, listened to Pastor L teach about the Bible, and accepted the gospel. Returning home after the tour, she and her husband decided not to divorce.
A couple got married in this church ten years ago. At the wedding, the bride made a wish for twins when Pastor L prayed and gave them blessings. Ten years later, the couple returned to the church with their twin daughters. When they saw Pastor L again, they uttered with a sigh, "The pastor is still there!" Pastor L replied, "Yes, always!"
Many tourists have been blessed after visiting this church. That is why Pastor L has always insisted on staying here.
Church built in a tourist attraction
Because some ethnic minorities in Yunnan have been immersed in Christian faith, churches have become part of their culture. As a window into the social and cultural customs of the 26 ethnic groups in Yunnan, the Yunnan Ethnic Village has naturally contained the element of Christian church in its presentation.
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, at least one or two foreign tourist groups were received every day, including those from Europe, the United States, and Southeast Asia. Some simply sit in the church to pray and praise. They sometimes wanted to listen to the Chinese pastor about how things had been. The groups usually stayed for about 40 minutes to an hour.
Some model workers from Beijing also visited. Probably among the model workers from Jiangsu and Zhejiang, some were religious. Their leaders were aware of their Christian faith and asked the pastor to preach to them. These model workers remained well seated in the church. None would stand up until the end of the service.
There are many government leaders who visited and became believers. They even returned to the church to be baptized. However, they do not want to reveal their identities.
Yunnan Ethnic Village church functions as a place not only to present Christian culture to tourists but to hold church activities for the Village employees. According to Pastor L, there are about 70 to 80 believers from 11 ethnic minorities. More than 60 people attend the church regularly. Most of them have been Christians before coming to the Ethnic Village. These employee believers have different working hours (mostly for stage performances), so the Sunday service of the church is sometimes held in the morning, sometimes in the afternoon. Most church activities are small group gatherings and visitations of the pastor and church co-workers. There are not many church-wide assemblies.
The Ethnic Village church was built in 2006. After a half year of operation, it experienced some turmoil. It was reported to the provincial government for there should have been no churches in tourist attractions.
Based on Pastor L's recollection, it was a Sunday, and the church was holding a service. The secretary of the provincial party committee took more than 40 people to the church along with him, and the church was full. They said to Pastor L: It's okay. Keep doing what you are supposed to do. We want to take a listen. The church choir sang a hymn, "The Most Beautiful Blessing in This Life." Pastor L gave a prayer of blessing thereafter.
After the service, the secretary of the provincial party committee indicated: "Your church is great. It promotes the positive and contributes to the welfare of the public. The church should be developed further. " No one had criticized the church again ever since.
"It is not true that there is no pressure." Pastor L added.
Seeing the value of the church ministry in a tourist attraction
Before coming to the Ethnic Village church, Pastor L had worked as a teacher in a seminary for five years. "Actually, I was good at teaching in the seminary at that time," Pastor L said.
When the Ethnic Village was recruiting in the seminary, they hoped to find a pastor who would be responsible for receiving tourists in the church and had specific requirements for cultural knowledge and demeanors. A few candidates were interviewed, but none was a good fit. At last, the dean of the seminary talked to Pastor L, "You should go. There should be someone who is qualified in the Christian sector." Pastor L then agreed to take the job.
"I was very disappointed in the first year because this place is different from a typical church. When you preach in a church, there are brothers and sisters sitting and listening. But here, you preach the gospel to the tourists. Those who become believers will leave and return to their homes. No one stays. I was thinking about quitting." After working in the Ethnic Village church for a year, Pastor L wanted to request a transfer back to the seminary.
It did not take long for those who became believers in the church to call Pastor L. One after another, they told him that they had found a church in their community or thanked him for evangelizing to them. Pastor L heard back from dozens of people and was encouraged. That helped him see the effectiveness of his year-long ministry and the value of his service.
In addition, some Christian tourists spontaneously prayed and praised God when they visited. They talked to Pastor L supportively. "That should be the encouragement from God to me," Pastor L pointed out. All these have become the strength to sustain him.
Coping with changes and challenges calmly
During the first year in the Ethnic Village church, Pastor L tallied the number of visitors. It was 630,000.
Pastor L indicated that every town in the Ethnic Village held its performances at that time. There were programs in the church as well. Every day there were three sermons for tourists. After the tourists sat down, Pastor L briefly explained how God loves the world and the blessings of believing in Jesus, etc., followed by two hymns presented by the choir and the pastor’s blessing. Because there were performances of ethnic minorities following in the church, a great number of tourists gathered. Even the outside of the church was crowded. The church organized events for Christmas, too. Thousands of people attended every Christmas.
After 2016, the performances were changed to collaborative presentations by several towns. The regular program of the church was discontinued. Thereafter, because there were voices against Christmas, its activities were not organized any more.
Pastor L himself faces challenges
At the end of last year, Pastor L had a dinner with a few local pastors and church co-workers. They discussed the ownership of the Ethnic Village church. "I know their intentions. If the Ethnic Village church belongs to a certain Three-Self Church District, the Three-Self can appoint its church pastor." Pastor L believes that many people covet the pastor’s position of the Ethnic Village church.
Pastor L told them that the Ethnic Village church was owned by the Ethnic Village company. Instead of the pastor, it is the company owner that they should talk to about who can be in charge of the church.
He made it clear, "You cannot persuade me to quit today because my wages are not paid by the Three-Self Church system. It is the Ethnic village company that pays me. You can talk to the company’s leadership. If they decide to lay off me or ask me to retire in due time, it is time for me to leave this position then. Hiring a pastor has to be done through the human resources of the company."
"If it is the company’s decision, I will be submissive. I have served here for more than 15 years. It is time to move on. Yet, I have not heard any news that the company will lay off me or send another pastor to take over. I’ll do my best as long as I am in this position, taking one day at a time. " Pastor L stated.
- Translated by June I. Chen
在云南民族村，这个风景秀丽、充满少数民族特色的旅游景区内，有一间小小的基督教堂。L牧师在教堂里负责给来自世界各地的游客展示基督教文化，解答游客的各种问题，传扬福音。每天面对来往的游客，L牧师一待就是十五、六年，可谓是铁打的牧师，流水的游客。
一个准备离婚的妻子，在旅游中经过这间教堂，她走进去，听L牧师讲了圣经，接受了福音。旅游结束后回到家，她和丈夫决定不离婚了。
一对夫妻十年前在这间教堂举行婚礼，在婚礼上，L牧师给他们祝福祷告的时候，新娘许愿要一对双胞胎。十年后，这对夫妻带着一对双胞胎女儿重回这间教堂。再次见到L牧师，他们感叹：“牧师还在啊。”L牧师回：“是啊，一直在！”
来到这间教堂，蒙受祝福的游客还有很多，这也是L牧师一直坚持在这里的理由。
建在旅游景区里的教堂
云南一些少数民族因为得到了基督教信仰的浸润，所以基督教堂成为了他们文化的一部分。作为反映和展示云南26个民族社会文化风情之窗口的云南民族村，自然少不了基督教堂这个元素。
新冠疫情之前，每天至少要接待一两个国外游客团队，有欧美的，还有一些东南亚来的。有些就坐在教堂里祷告、赞美，有时候他们想听中国牧师给他们讲一下情况。他们一个团队坐下来差不多是40分钟到一个小时左右才会走。
还有一些北京来的劳模也参观过。好像是江浙一带的劳模，一些是有信仰的，那些领导也知道他们是基督徒，就让我给他们讲讲。这些劳模他们坐在教堂里很规矩，礼拜不结束，他们没有一个人起来的。
其中也有不少政府领导来这里接受福音，还回到这里受洗。但是，他们不想暴露身份。
云南民族村教堂一方面是向游客展示基督教文化的场所，另一方面也是景区内部员工信仰聚会的场所。L牧师介绍说，民族村的员工中，有来自11个少数民族的70、80个信徒，平时参与聚会的有60多人，他们大多数来民族村之前都已经是基督徒了。这些信徒员工，每个人的工作时间（多数是演出工作）不尽相同，所以教堂的主日礼拜有时候是上午举行，有时候是下午举行，平时的集体聚会不太多，主要是小组聚会，或者牧师同工探访。
民族村教堂建于2006年，建成后使用才半年，便经历了一番不小的风波——有人将民族村教堂告到了省政府，说旅旅景区里不可以有教堂。
据L牧师回忆，那天是礼拜天，教堂正在举行礼拜，省委书记带了40多个人一起来到教堂，教堂都坐满了。他们对L牧师说：没事，你们做你们的，我们想听一听。教堂诗班唱了一首赞美诗《这一生最美的祝福》，之后L牧师做了祝福祷告。
礼拜结束之后，省委书记说：你们教堂这种形式挺好嘛，是积极向上的东西，很健康，要好好发展一下。省委书记表态之后，就没有人再说这个教堂的问题了。
“所以不是没有压力，压力是有的。”L牧师补充道。
看到在景区教堂服侍的价值
来民族村教堂工作之前，L牧师有五年的时间在一间神学院做老师。“其实当时我在神学院里面教书挺好的。”L牧师说。
民族村到他们神学院去招聘的时候，希望找到一名牧师能够在教堂负责接待游客，对其知识文化等方方面面，包括外表形象都有要求。找了几个，都不太合适，最后神学院院长对L牧师说：“还是你去吧，我们基督教界要找一个人，总能找出来吧。”L牧师答应了。
“第一年就很失望，因为这个地方不像教会。在教会你传福音，弟兄姐妹坐在下面听。但是这个地方你给游客传福音，他接受了，他会回去，不会留在这个地方。所以我都有点不想做了。”在民族村教堂工作了一年之后，L牧师想申请调回神学院。
不久之后，有从民族村教堂接受福音的人陆续打电话来，告诉L牧师他们找到自己地方的教会了，或者说“谢谢你，感谢能够在您这里就听到福音”之类的话，L牧师的心得到了安慰。牧师说，大概有几十个人回应，让他看到了一年多传福音的果效，看到了自己服侍的价值。
此外，一些基督徒游客来到民族村教堂后，自发去祷告、赞美，也会和L牧师说安慰的话。“也是神在安慰我吧。”L牧师说。这些安慰都成为L牧师坚持下来的力量。
从容应对变化与挑战
来到民族村教堂的第一年，L牧师做了统计，从教堂里面经过的游客有63万人次。
L牧师介绍说，那个时候民族村的每一个村镇都有演出，教堂也有节目，每天有三场面向游客的讲道：游客在教堂里坐下来，L牧师简短讲解上帝爱世人是怎样的爱法、信耶稣有什么好处等，然后诗班唱两首诗歌，最后L牧师做祝福祷告。因为后面还有少数民族的演出在教堂里进行，所以当时很多游客过来，教堂外面都挤满了人。圣诞节教堂也做活动，每一年的圣诞节都有几千人参加。
2016年之后，民族村里的演出方式改为几个村镇一起演出，所以教堂的固定节目也就不再做了。再后来，抵制圣诞节的声音起来，圣诞节的活动也做不了了。
L牧师本人也面临挑战。
去年年底，L牧师和当地的一些牧者同工们聚餐交流，大家讨论了民族村教堂的归属问题。“我知道他们的意图，他们是想民族村教堂如果属于自己区的三自来管，那么这里面的牧师，就由他们派人来。”L牧师认为，很多人觊觎民族村教堂牧师的位置。
L牧师告诉对方，民族村教堂是属于民族村这个公司的，所以教堂要归谁管，需要去找公司的老板去谈，牧师做不了主。
他明确表态，“你要我今天走，你也说不动我，我也不拿教会（三自系统）的钱。因为我的工资是民族村公司发的。除非你找这个公司的领导，然后他们对我说你可以走了，或者是你到时候可以退休了，那我就可以走了。你要叫你们的人来这里，也得公司人事去聘请才可以。”
“公司说要我走呢，我就走，因为在这个地方待了十五六年了，也该换个地方了。但是一直也没有什么消息，说要我走，或者说是要派哪个牧师来。所以，只要在一天，我就做好我的工作。”L牧师说道。
————————————————————————————————
驻守景区教堂十余年
In an ethnic village in southeastern China, a scenic tourist attraction full of ethnic features, there is a small Christian church. In the church, Pastor L is responsible for presenting Christian culture to tourists from all over the world, answering their various questions, and preaching the gospel. Facing tourists every day, Pastor L has stayed for fifteen or sixteen years. Tourists come and go, but he is steadfast.
A wife who was about to divorce stopped by this church on her trip. She walked in, listened to Pastor L teach about the Bible, and accepted the gospel. Returning home after the tour, she and her husband decided not to divorce.
A couple got married in this church ten years ago. At the wedding, the bride made a wish for twins when Pastor L prayed and gave them blessings. Ten years later, the couple returned to the church with their twin daughters. When they saw Pastor L again, they uttered with a sigh, "The pastor is still there!" Pastor L replied, "Yes, always!"
Many tourists have been blessed after visiting this church. That is why Pastor L has always insisted on staying here.
Church built in a tourist attraction
Because some ethnic minorities in Yunnan have been immersed in Christian faith, churches have become part of their culture. As a window into the social and cultural customs of the 26 ethnic groups in Yunnan, the Yunnan Ethnic Village has naturally contained the element of Christian church in its presentation.
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, at least one or two foreign tourist groups were received every day, including those from Europe, the United States, and Southeast Asia. Some simply sit in the church to pray and praise. They sometimes wanted to listen to the Chinese pastor about how things had been. The groups usually stayed for about 40 minutes to an hour.
Some model workers from Beijing also visited. Probably among the model workers from Jiangsu and Zhejiang, some were religious. Their leaders were aware of their Christian faith and asked the pastor to preach to them. These model workers remained well seated in the church. None would stand up until the end of the service.
There are many government leaders who visited and became believers. They even returned to the church to be baptized. However, they do not want to reveal their identities.
Yunnan Ethnic Village church functions as a place not only to present Christian culture to tourists but to hold church activities for the Village employees. According to Pastor L, there are about 70 to 80 believers from 11 ethnic minorities. More than 60 people attend the church regularly. Most of them have been Christians before coming to the Ethnic Village. These employee believers have different working hours (mostly for stage performances), so the Sunday service of the church is sometimes held in the morning, sometimes in the afternoon. Most church activities are small group gatherings and visitations of the pastor and church co-workers. There are not many church-wide assemblies.
The Ethnic Village church was built in 2006. After a half year of operation, it experienced some turmoil. It was reported to the provincial government for there should have been no churches in tourist attractions.
Based on Pastor L's recollection, it was a Sunday, and the church was holding a service. The secretary of the provincial party committee took more than 40 people to the church along with him, and the church was full. They said to Pastor L: It's okay. Keep doing what you are supposed to do. We want to take a listen. The church choir sang a hymn, "The Most Beautiful Blessing in This Life." Pastor L gave a prayer of blessing thereafter.
After the service, the secretary of the provincial party committee indicated: "Your church is great. It promotes the positive and contributes to the welfare of the public. The church should be developed further. " No one had criticized the church again ever since.
"It is not true that there is no pressure." Pastor L added.
Seeing the value of the church ministry in a tourist attraction
Before coming to the Ethnic Village church, Pastor L had worked as a teacher in a seminary for five years. "Actually, I was good at teaching in the seminary at that time," Pastor L said.
When the Ethnic Village was recruiting in the seminary, they hoped to find a pastor who would be responsible for receiving tourists in the church and had specific requirements for cultural knowledge and demeanors. A few candidates were interviewed, but none was a good fit. At last, the dean of the seminary talked to Pastor L, "You should go. There should be someone who is qualified in the Christian sector." Pastor L then agreed to take the job.
"I was very disappointed in the first year because this place is different from a typical church. When you preach in a church, there are brothers and sisters sitting and listening. But here, you preach the gospel to the tourists. Those who become believers will leave and return to their homes. No one stays. I was thinking about quitting." After working in the Ethnic Village church for a year, Pastor L wanted to request a transfer back to the seminary.
It did not take long for those who became believers in the church to call Pastor L. One after another, they told him that they had found a church in their community or thanked him for evangelizing to them. Pastor L heard back from dozens of people and was encouraged. That helped him see the effectiveness of his year-long ministry and the value of his service.
In addition, some Christian tourists spontaneously prayed and praised God when they visited. They talked to Pastor L supportively. "That should be the encouragement from God to me," Pastor L pointed out. All these have become the strength to sustain him.
Coping with changes and challenges calmly
During the first year in the Ethnic Village church, Pastor L tallied the number of visitors. It was 630,000.
Pastor L indicated that every town in the Ethnic Village held its performances at that time. There were programs in the church as well. Every day there were three sermons for tourists. After the tourists sat down, Pastor L briefly explained how God loves the world and the blessings of believing in Jesus, etc., followed by two hymns presented by the choir and the pastor’s blessing. Because there were performances of ethnic minorities following in the church, a great number of tourists gathered. Even the outside of the church was crowded. The church organized events for Christmas, too. Thousands of people attended every Christmas.
After 2016, the performances were changed to collaborative presentations by several towns. The regular program of the church was discontinued. Thereafter, because there were voices against Christmas, its activities were not organized any more.
Pastor L himself faces challenges
At the end of last year, Pastor L had a dinner with a few local pastors and church co-workers. They discussed the ownership of the Ethnic Village church. "I know their intentions. If the Ethnic Village church belongs to a certain Three-Self Church District, the Three-Self can appoint its church pastor." Pastor L believes that many people covet the pastor’s position of the Ethnic Village church.
Pastor L told them that the Ethnic Village church was owned by the Ethnic Village company. Instead of the pastor, it is the company owner that they should talk to about who can be in charge of the church.
He made it clear, "You cannot persuade me to quit today because my wages are not paid by the Three-Self Church system. It is the Ethnic village company that pays me. You can talk to the company’s leadership. If they decide to lay off me or ask me to retire in due time, it is time for me to leave this position then. Hiring a pastor has to be done through the human resources of the company."
"If it is the company’s decision, I will be submissive. I have served here for more than 15 years. It is time to move on. Yet, I have not heard any news that the company will lay off me or send another pastor to take over. I’ll do my best as long as I am in this position, taking one day at a time. " Pastor L stated.
- Translated by June I. Chen
Stationed at a Church in Tourist Attraction for More Than Ten Years
