A megachurch in Shanxi Province held a birthday celebration and service for more than 50 senior believers over 80.
On October 13th, a senior fellowship of Yaodu District Church in Linfen City conducted a collective birthday celebration.
During the ceremony, Rev. Geng Fuqin preached a sermon titled “Follow the Lord Wholeheartedly," citing Joshua 14:6–12. Drawing from Caleb's faith, she presented a great example of serving as a senior believer. From his youth to his old age, being filled with faith, Caleb followed and obeyed the Lord, leading his whole family to serve the Lord and making a dedicated vow, “But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.” Rev. Geng expressed gratitude to these elderly believers for their dedication to society, churches, and families all the years, exhorting them to preach the gospel as always, even in old age, and fight a good fight of faith for the Lord.
Following the sermon, Lan Jiao’e, leader of the senior fellowship, introduced the founder of the fellowship, elder deacon Yang Meiguang, who is nearing 90, and her husband, Doctor Shangguan Yan, who is 93 years old. Ms. Lan also mentioned that since its establishment, centered around the elderly community, the fellowship has arranged gathering events on a weekly basis, including Bible reading, prayer meetings, and Bible study. In addition to joining the prayer service, they also organized the Ruth Choir, contributing to the church's Sunday worship services. Moreover, the senior fellowship would regularly pay visits to local believers’ homes, especially during the COVID-19 period. Every year, on the occasion of the traditional Double Ninth Festival, they would assist the church in organizing events for the elderly.
Subsequently, being the elderly believers’ representative, Zhang Baogui, who is 82 years old, shared his themed testimony, “My Relationship with God Is All About Gratitude.” As a cancer patient for over 20 years, by God’s grace, he was saved and protected through twice unconsciousness. His wife, children, and grandchildren all came to faith and engaged in service, establishing an altar of prayer for his family.
After the testimony, Rev. Yang Senlin delivered a blessing prayer. And then, believers performed dances, solos, and three sentences and a half (a traditional Chinese folk art performance form).
(The article is originally published by the Gospel Times and the author reported in Linfen, Shanxi.)
- Translated by Poppy Chan
山西一个大教会未50多位80岁以上的信徒举行崇拜庆祝其生日。
10月13日，在临汾市尧都区城区教会，长者常青团契举办了该活动。
耿福琴牧师以约书亚记14：6-12的经文，做了题为《专心跟随耶和华》的证道，以迦勒的信仰经历分享了长者侍奉的美好榜样：从他青年壮年一直到老年，大有信心，一直跟从主，顺服神的带领；并且带领全家服侍主，留下了“至于我和我家我们定意事奉耶和华”的美好誓言。她感恩这些长者在社会、教会、家庭多年的付出，并劝勉大家虽然年老也要一如既往地传扬福音，为主打美好的仗。
然后是长者团契负责人兰娇娥向大家介绍了团契创办人——年近九十的老执事杨美光和九十三岁的丈夫上官彦大夫。她提到团契成立多年来，立足于老年群体，每周都进行团契活动，读经、祷告、圣经学习。团契参与教会的祷告服侍，还组建了路得诗班，参与教会主日敬拜服侍。还经常到信徒家中探访，尤其是三年疫情期间。每年还协助教会举办九九重阳敬老活动。
此后，八十二岁的信徒代表张宝贵做了“我与神的关系——除了感恩还是感恩”的见证分享：他患癌症二十多年蒙神拯救、两次昏倒蒙神保守；妻子儿子孙子全家信主参与服侍，建立家庭祷告祭坛。
杨森林牧师做了祝福祷告后，大家表演了舞蹈、独唱、三句半。
（本文作者为福音时报特约撰稿人）
山西教会为八十岁以上信徒举办集体生日礼拜
A megachurch in Shanxi Province held a birthday celebration and service for more than 50 senior believers over 80.
On October 13th, a senior fellowship of Yaodu District Church in Linfen City conducted a collective birthday celebration.
During the ceremony, Rev. Geng Fuqin preached a sermon titled “Follow the Lord Wholeheartedly," citing Joshua 14:6–12. Drawing from Caleb's faith, she presented a great example of serving as a senior believer. From his youth to his old age, being filled with faith, Caleb followed and obeyed the Lord, leading his whole family to serve the Lord and making a dedicated vow, “But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.” Rev. Geng expressed gratitude to these elderly believers for their dedication to society, churches, and families all the years, exhorting them to preach the gospel as always, even in old age, and fight a good fight of faith for the Lord.
Following the sermon, Lan Jiao’e, leader of the senior fellowship, introduced the founder of the fellowship, elder deacon Yang Meiguang, who is nearing 90, and her husband, Doctor Shangguan Yan, who is 93 years old. Ms. Lan also mentioned that since its establishment, centered around the elderly community, the fellowship has arranged gathering events on a weekly basis, including Bible reading, prayer meetings, and Bible study. In addition to joining the prayer service, they also organized the Ruth Choir, contributing to the church's Sunday worship services. Moreover, the senior fellowship would regularly pay visits to local believers’ homes, especially during the COVID-19 period. Every year, on the occasion of the traditional Double Ninth Festival, they would assist the church in organizing events for the elderly.
Subsequently, being the elderly believers’ representative, Zhang Baogui, who is 82 years old, shared his themed testimony, “My Relationship with God Is All About Gratitude.” As a cancer patient for over 20 years, by God’s grace, he was saved and protected through twice unconsciousness. His wife, children, and grandchildren all came to faith and engaged in service, establishing an altar of prayer for his family.
After the testimony, Rev. Yang Senlin delivered a blessing prayer. And then, believers performed dances, solos, and three sentences and a half (a traditional Chinese folk art performance form).
(The article is originally published by the Gospel Times and the author reported in Linfen, Shanxi.)
- Translated by Poppy Chan
Shanxi Church Holds Birthday Celebration for Elderly Members
