On April 6, Elder He Jiming of the church in Daning County, Shanxi Province, passed away. Elder He, who has long served as the leader of the county's CC&TSPM, was elected last year as director of the fourth Board of Supervisors for the Linfen Municipal CC&TSPM. In September 2021, I paid a visit to this religious senior.
Born in December 1951, Elder He had a rough life, yet he gave his life to the Lord. He's father served as a long-term preacher, while his mother was a fervent praying believer. A divine dream helped him realize God's call, prompting him to start the journey of serving Him. He attended the first provincial volunteer training session in Taiyuan in 1984 and stepped foot in churches across counties and cities throughout Shanxi Province since then.
During Mr. He’s dedicated ministry journey, he broke down two bicycles and two motorcycles. He walked through knee-deep snow, struggled on his way to preach in pouring rain, and insisted on conducting visitation ministries even in hunger and thirst. In his service, he not only shared biblical teachings but also relied on the Lord to heal the sick.
In his later years, despite battling liver cirrhosis and many other diseases, he was able to bear witness to the Lord before the congregation with God's mercy and salvation. He confessed: "As a humble person, what can I do for the Lord? My entire life has been chosen and used by God. With such love bestowed upon me, how could I not dedicate myself completely and live for the Lord?"
According to him, seven missionaries were martyred for the Lord in Daning County, a small town of fewer than 60,000 people, imbuing the local church with profound historical significance.
On a snowy evening last November, I met Elder He at the Shizhao Church in Yuci District, Jinzhong City. The old man was in good spirits and kept sharing his testimony of gratitude. Along with the Daning congregation, he offered blessings for the newly completed church.
I would like to revisit him, but he has been already sleeping safe and sound in the Lord's arms. He rests from his labor, for his deeds will follow him.
- Translated by Poppy Chan
4月6日，山西大宁县基督教会的贺际明长老去世。长期担任县基督教两会负责人，贺长老去年当选为临汾市基督教两会第四届监事会主任。2021年9月，我曾拜访了这位教会老前辈。
贺长老一生坎坷，却为主奉献终生。出生于1951年12月，他父亲是个老传道人，母亲经常祷告。一个异梦，使他明白了神的呼召，开始服侍神。1984年，他参加了在太原举办的全省第一届义工培训班，此后足迹遍及山西全省县、市的教会。
他为主奔波，先后骑坏了两辆自行车、两辆摩托车。他曾踏着没膝深的积雪、也曾冒着瓢泼大雨去讲道，还曾忍受着饥渴坚持探访信徒。在服侍中，他讲解圣经，也靠主医治病人。
晚年他身患肝硬化等多种疾病，但蒙神的怜悯、拯救，使他能站在众人前为主做见证。他告白：“卑微的我能为主做些什么？一生实在是经历了神的拣选使用，神这样爱我，我有什么理由不把自己完全献上、为主而活？”
据他告知这个人数不足六万人的大宁县城曾有七位宣教士为主殉道，教会历史底蕴深厚。
去年11月一个下雪的傍晚，我在晋中市榆次使赵教会遇到贺长老。老人家精神矍铄，仍然在述说着感恩的见证。他和大宁县的信徒一起为新落成的教堂献上祝福。
我本想再去探访他，不料他已安睡在主的怀抱。他息了自己的劳苦，做工的果效也必随着他。
追念山西大宁县贺际明长老
On April 6, Elder He Jiming of the church in Daning County, Shanxi Province, passed away. Elder He, who has long served as the leader of the county's CC&TSPM, was elected last year as director of the fourth Board of Supervisors for the Linfen Municipal CC&TSPM. In September 2021, I paid a visit to this religious senior.
Born in December 1951, Elder He had a rough life, yet he gave his life to the Lord. He's father served as a long-term preacher, while his mother was a fervent praying believer. A divine dream helped him realize God's call, prompting him to start the journey of serving Him. He attended the first provincial volunteer training session in Taiyuan in 1984 and stepped foot in churches across counties and cities throughout Shanxi Province since then.
During Mr. He’s dedicated ministry journey, he broke down two bicycles and two motorcycles. He walked through knee-deep snow, struggled on his way to preach in pouring rain, and insisted on conducting visitation ministries even in hunger and thirst. In his service, he not only shared biblical teachings but also relied on the Lord to heal the sick.
In his later years, despite battling liver cirrhosis and many other diseases, he was able to bear witness to the Lord before the congregation with God's mercy and salvation. He confessed: "As a humble person, what can I do for the Lord? My entire life has been chosen and used by God. With such love bestowed upon me, how could I not dedicate myself completely and live for the Lord?"
According to him, seven missionaries were martyred for the Lord in Daning County, a small town of fewer than 60,000 people, imbuing the local church with profound historical significance.
On a snowy evening last November, I met Elder He at the Shizhao Church in Yuci District, Jinzhong City. The old man was in good spirits and kept sharing his testimony of gratitude. Along with the Daning congregation, he offered blessings for the newly completed church.
I would like to revisit him, but he has been already sleeping safe and sound in the Lord's arms. He rests from his labor, for his deeds will follow him.
- Translated by Poppy Chan
In Memory of Elder He Jiming of Daning County, Shanxi Province
