Elder Zheng Fengying, aged over eighty, with silver hair and a vibrant spirit, is a kind and amiable figure in Shanxi Province.
Born into a Christian family in Henan, Elder Zheng learned numerous gospel songs from her mother, who was a pastor. These songs later became effective tools in her evangelistic efforts. At the age of 18, after completing junior high school, she came to Shanxi with her uncle, who left her alone unexpectedly in an unfamiliar village, Yaodu District, Linfen, similar to Joseph being sold. Then, she got married, facing a stern mother-in-law even in a foreign land. In moments of helplessness, sadness, and sorrow, she found strength only through reading the Bible and prayer. She never anticipated that God had brought her here with trust and a mission.
During her spare time from working on the farm production team, she shared Jesus with others and sang gospel hymns, sparking great interest. Gradually, more and more people gathered at her home every evening to hear stories about Jesus.
Later, she started evangelism in the mountains, and miraculously, people were willing to believe after her preaching. Sometimes, a large group followed her wherever she went. She captivated people, traveling during the day and continuing to preach by oil lamp at night. The elderly lady reminisces about the fervor of evangelism in those years, which still excites her.
With no vehicles, she climbed using tree branches and weeds, as the mountain roads were treacherous. Despite facing many hardships, she experienced many miracles. Encountering a wolf that was howling and terrifying, she fervently prayed to God, who kept her safe. On one occasion, she found a donkey on the road and rode it. When the donkey fell on a steep slope, she miraculously stood safely on flat ground. Sometimes, sudden downpours drenched her, and with nowhere to hide, she continued walking after drying her clothes on the altar of a small temple.
Her method of spreading the gospel was to share a passage from the Bible and sing a spiritual song. The songs were well-received by rural folks, as some were folk tunes and some were adapted from Western music. Upon entering a household and seeing varied idolatrous figures like mud sculptures, wooden carvings, and the kitchen God, the God of wealth, and the God of doors painted on paper, she would sing the "False God Song" and then the "True God Song," urging people to abandon idols and turn to the living God.
In each new place, she would set up meeting points with guidance from relatives, and many of today's local activity sites are the fruits of her efforts. She also nurtured enthusiastic believers seeking spiritual growth, many of whom have become church leaders or key figures in evangelistic activities.
Over the course of two to three decades, Elder Zheng's footprint covered over 200 villages in more than ten counties. It only ceased when she suffered a spinal injury, which shifted her focus to church construction. Now, Xiyi Village Church, where she serves, has become the second-largest church in Yaodu District, aside from the urban church, accommodating over 1000 people.
In her old age and declining health, she voluntarily resides in the church, overseeing its interactions. Receiving believers every day, she serves behind the scene in God's house as always.
(The Gospel Times was the original publication of the article.)
- Translated by Abigail Wu
山西临汾市尧都区西宜教会郑凤英长老年逾八旬，满头银发，精神矍铄，慈祥和蔼。
老人从小出生在河南的信主家庭，母亲是教会传道人。她从小耳渲目染学会了不少福音歌曲，这些都成为她后来福传中得心应手的工具。18岁那年，初中毕业的她随着舅舅来到山西，不料舅舅竟把她一个人留在了人生地不熟的临汾尧都区汾河西岸一个小村，后来她找了婆家结了婚。她如同约瑟被卖一样，在陌生的地方还要面对严厉的婆婆。在无助、难过、悲伤中，她只有在读经祈祷中得着力量。她未曾想到神把她带到这里，对她有极大的托付和使命。
后来在生产队干活的空余时间，她就和大家讲耶稣，唱福音灵歌，大家很有兴趣。后来每到晚上，村里人就到她家里去听她讲耶稣的故事，后来人越来越多。
后来她又开始爬山福传，神也奇妙动工，一讲就有人愿意信。有时候后边跟着一大群人，她走到哪里就跟到哪里。白天一路跋涉，夜晚油灯下继续讲，人们被深深吸引。老人想起当年福传的火热情形，至今仍激动不已。
没有车辆，山路艰险，只有拽着树枝和杂草攀爬。虽然吃了不少苦，但也有许多神迹奇事伴随。有一次路上遇到狼，嘶鸣吼叫，令人恐惧，但恳切祈求神也保守安然无恙；还有一次路上找了一匹驴骑上，上陡坡时，驴摔倒了，她竟然安然站在了平地上。有时走在路上暴雨突然降下，无处躲避被浇成“落汤鸡”，衣服搭在小庙里的供桌上晒干后继续前行。
她传福音的方法，就是讲一段圣经，唱一段灵歌。那些既有民歌小调又有西洋歌曲改编的歌曲，深受乡村百姓欢迎。到了一个家庭，看见各样的泥胎木雕，纸画的灶君、财神、门神等偶像，她就唱《假神歌》；又唱《真神歌》，奉劝人们当离弃偶像归向真神活神。
每到一地，都是经亲戚介绍，进而就设立聚会点。时至今日当地的很多活动点，就是她当年所结的果子。她还培养了一些热心寻求属灵生命成长的信徒们，多数成为现今教会的福传骨干或堂点负责人。
二三十年间，郑长老的福传足迹遍及十几个县200多个村庄。直到后来腰椎受伤，才停止外出福传。此后和同工投身建堂，而今西宜教会已成为尧都区除了城区堂之外的第二大堂，能容纳1000多人。
现在年老体衰之际，她仍主动住在教会。看守祷告，每日接待信徒，一如既往地为神的家默默尽忠。
注：本文作者为福音时报特约撰稿人
再访在山西热心侍奉的郑凤英长老
Elder Zheng Fengying, aged over eighty, with silver hair and a vibrant spirit, is a kind and amiable figure in Shanxi Province.
Born into a Christian family in Henan, Elder Zheng learned numerous gospel songs from her mother, who was a pastor. These songs later became effective tools in her evangelistic efforts. At the age of 18, after completing junior high school, she came to Shanxi with her uncle, who left her alone unexpectedly in an unfamiliar village, Yaodu District, Linfen, similar to Joseph being sold. Then, she got married, facing a stern mother-in-law even in a foreign land. In moments of helplessness, sadness, and sorrow, she found strength only through reading the Bible and prayer. She never anticipated that God had brought her here with trust and a mission.
During her spare time from working on the farm production team, she shared Jesus with others and sang gospel hymns, sparking great interest. Gradually, more and more people gathered at her home every evening to hear stories about Jesus.
Later, she started evangelism in the mountains, and miraculously, people were willing to believe after her preaching. Sometimes, a large group followed her wherever she went. She captivated people, traveling during the day and continuing to preach by oil lamp at night. The elderly lady reminisces about the fervor of evangelism in those years, which still excites her.
With no vehicles, she climbed using tree branches and weeds, as the mountain roads were treacherous. Despite facing many hardships, she experienced many miracles. Encountering a wolf that was howling and terrifying, she fervently prayed to God, who kept her safe. On one occasion, she found a donkey on the road and rode it. When the donkey fell on a steep slope, she miraculously stood safely on flat ground. Sometimes, sudden downpours drenched her, and with nowhere to hide, she continued walking after drying her clothes on the altar of a small temple.
Her method of spreading the gospel was to share a passage from the Bible and sing a spiritual song. The songs were well-received by rural folks, as some were folk tunes and some were adapted from Western music. Upon entering a household and seeing varied idolatrous figures like mud sculptures, wooden carvings, and the kitchen God, the God of wealth, and the God of doors painted on paper, she would sing the "False God Song" and then the "True God Song," urging people to abandon idols and turn to the living God.
In each new place, she would set up meeting points with guidance from relatives, and many of today's local activity sites are the fruits of her efforts. She also nurtured enthusiastic believers seeking spiritual growth, many of whom have become church leaders or key figures in evangelistic activities.
Over the course of two to three decades, Elder Zheng's footprint covered over 200 villages in more than ten counties. It only ceased when she suffered a spinal injury, which shifted her focus to church construction. Now, Xiyi Village Church, where she serves, has become the second-largest church in Yaodu District, aside from the urban church, accommodating over 1000 people.
In her old age and declining health, she voluntarily resides in the church, overseeing its interactions. Receiving believers every day, she serves behind the scene in God's house as always.
(The Gospel Times was the original publication of the article.)
- Translated by Abigail Wu
Revisiting Zealous Elder in North China
