A member of a church choir in Shanxi wrote an article to remember the death of a 65-year-old believer who was praised for his faithful service until the end of his life.
Sister Wang Jiarui, from the choir of the church in Yaodu District, Linfen, Shanxi, posted an article a few days ago in memory of Fan Zhilin, a believer who passed away at 65 years old. In the article, she talked about the three times she met him.
It was on the morning of September 11, 2022, on Sunday, when the choir was making final preparations before presenting poems. A thin, middle-aged believer came in and said that Elder Tai had introduced him. He then sat down, and they practiced singing together. Later, they wore choir robes and went to the church to present poems.
After the service, he introduced himself, saying he was Fan Zhilin from Wanrong County, Shanxi, a patient after cancer surgery. He had served and preached in his hometown before. Since his son was working in Linfen, he came to Linfen to recuperate, following which he came to the church to find the choir.
The choir sings in four parts, and he was assigned to the third part. The next day, the city was silently closed because of the epidemic. He practiced singing carefully with the rhythm of his part. At the same time, he did not forget to prepare to preach notes for the network pastoral care of his hometown church.
On November 15, three new brothers joined the choir, and everyone got together to practice singing Christmas songs.
After the meeting concluded, they communicated on the messaging app WeChat. The choir planned to celebrate Christmas online due to COVID-19. To the accompaniment of Banhu and his daughter-in-law’s Chinese lute, Brother Fan cooperated with his son, who worked in the troupe band, and sang “Crystal Night, Stilly Night,” which became his swan song for the Lord.
After Christmas at Linfen Church Online, he also tested negative for COVID-19 and had a fever. Later, it was learned that his condition had worsened. Four believers from the choir visited him at his home on the morning of February 17. He said that he was not afraid of death but that he hadn’t finished the sermon he was preparing. What’s more, idol worship is popular in his village, and many souls have not been saved. Deacon Guiling, who went to visit him, praying that he would have the ability to face his illness calmly, and sang the song “Safe in the arms of Jesus” for him.
Five days later came the news that he had been called to his heavenly home. His son thanked his brothers and sisters for their prayers. He also mentioned that his father left very peacefully and that the funeral was held according to the church funeral service.
- Translated by Stephen Huang
山西一教会的诗班成员发文，追思一位65岁信徒的离世，称赞他的至死忠心的侍奉。
日前，山西临汾市尧都区基督教会圣诗班的王家瑞姊妹发文，追思65岁的范志林弟兄，回忆与他的三次见面。
2022年9月11日上午，正逢主日，诗班正在做献诗前的最后预备。一位消瘦的中年弟兄走进来，说是邰长老介绍他来的，就坐下来一起练唱诗歌。然后穿圣衣进堂献诗。
礼拜结束后，他自我介绍：他叫范志林，来自山西万荣县，是一个癌症手术后的患者原。之前一直在老家服侍传道，最近来在临汾工作的儿子家里休养，就来教会找诗班了。
因为诗班歌唱分四声部，把他分到了三声部。第二天就因疫情静默封城了，他随着三声部练歌节奏认真练唱，同时还不忘为家乡教会网络牧养预备讲章。
11月15日，因为诗班三声部新进了三位弟兄，大家聚在一起练唱圣诞节的歌曲。
大家分开后，就在微信的赞美群上交流。因疫情圣诞节不能进堂献诗，诗班就计划在网上庆祝圣诞节。他与在剧团乐队工作的儿子配合，在板胡和儿媳的琵琶伴奏下，他献唱了《圣夜静歌》，成为他为主献上的最后的绝唱。
12月18日临汾教会网上圣诞节过后，他也被“阳”发烧了。后来得知他的病情恶化了，2月17日上午，诗班的4位弟兄姊妹去他家看望了他。他说自己并不怕死，只是自己准备的道还没有讲完。他所在的村里拜偶像成风，还有许多灵魂没有得救。同去的贵玲执事为他祷告，让他有能力坦然面对自己的疾病，为他唱了《安稳在耶稣手中》。
5天后传来了蒙召归天家的消息，他儿子说，谢谢众弟兄姊妹的代祷，他爸爸被接时走得很安详，后事全部按照教会葬礼仪式举办。
山西传道人身患癌症 殷勤侍奉
A member of a church choir in Shanxi wrote an article to remember the death of a 65-year-old believer who was praised for his faithful service until the end of his life.
Sister Wang Jiarui, from the choir of the church in Yaodu District, Linfen, Shanxi, posted an article a few days ago in memory of Fan Zhilin, a believer who passed away at 65 years old. In the article, she talked about the three times she met him.
It was on the morning of September 11, 2022, on Sunday, when the choir was making final preparations before presenting poems. A thin, middle-aged believer came in and said that Elder Tai had introduced him. He then sat down, and they practiced singing together. Later, they wore choir robes and went to the church to present poems.
After the service, he introduced himself, saying he was Fan Zhilin from Wanrong County, Shanxi, a patient after cancer surgery. He had served and preached in his hometown before. Since his son was working in Linfen, he came to Linfen to recuperate, following which he came to the church to find the choir.
The choir sings in four parts, and he was assigned to the third part. The next day, the city was silently closed because of the epidemic. He practiced singing carefully with the rhythm of his part. At the same time, he did not forget to prepare to preach notes for the network pastoral care of his hometown church.
On November 15, three new brothers joined the choir, and everyone got together to practice singing Christmas songs.
After the meeting concluded, they communicated on the messaging app WeChat. The choir planned to celebrate Christmas online due to COVID-19. To the accompaniment of Banhu and his daughter-in-law’s Chinese lute, Brother Fan cooperated with his son, who worked in the troupe band, and sang “Crystal Night, Stilly Night,” which became his swan song for the Lord.
After Christmas at Linfen Church Online, he also tested negative for COVID-19 and had a fever. Later, it was learned that his condition had worsened. Four believers from the choir visited him at his home on the morning of February 17. He said that he was not afraid of death but that he hadn’t finished the sermon he was preparing. What’s more, idol worship is popular in his village, and many souls have not been saved. Deacon Guiling, who went to visit him, praying that he would have the ability to face his illness calmly, and sang the song “Safe in the arms of Jesus” for him.
Five days later came the news that he had been called to his heavenly home. His son thanked his brothers and sisters for their prayers. He also mentioned that his father left very peacefully and that the funeral was held according to the church funeral service.
- Translated by Stephen Huang
Remember Deceased Shanxi Preacher
