A church leader, Brother Zhang, has been following the Lord for more than 30 years.
This 50-something-year-old brother lost his father when he was a child. He went to work in Shanghai as a teenager due to poverty. His mother, a pious Christian, said to him before he left home, “Don’t be afraid of suffering, which can actually be a blessing; don’t forget to get near God, who is always with us!”
In a few years, he stood out among a group of apprentices. He always kept what his mother said in mind: suffering would be a blessing, something worthwhile that he should not be afraid of. Accordingly, he learned more and had better skills. Later, he became a foreman with a high salary in his twenties.
Since he left home, he has nearly never stopped attending Sunday services. After becoming the foreman, he also discussed with his boss that as long as he was allowed to go to church on Sunday mornings, he would obey any other requirement from the boss. He could even work overtime at night to make up for the time. His boss trusted him more and more because of his hard work and sincere attitude.
Later, Brother Zhang had to go home since his children had become increasingly rebellious due to his absence at home, and Zhang’s mother was too old to deal with the children. Brother Zhang then opened a small store in his hometown. He did business and did voluntary work actively, and he never stopped worshiping God. He was not very talkative and never judged others casually.
The old head of the church observed him and helped him grow. Later, Zhang entered the church committee. Then he became the deputy team leader, then the team leader, and now the head of the church.
While attending his business at times, he would always offer help at once when the church is in need, leaving the company to his wife. In addition, he never asks for reimbursement of several hundred RMB per month for putting gas in his car due to his service, and his attitude really motivates several other staff members.
(The writer is a grassroots church volunteer in Jiangsu.)
- Translated by Stephen Huang
一个教会的负责人，三十多年不变地跟随主。
这位弟兄现在五十多岁，小时候父亲去世得早。因为家里条件不好，十几岁就去上海打工。他妈妈是虔诚的基督徒，临行前母亲对他说：“不要怕吃苦，吃苦是福；不要忘记亲近上帝，上帝会与我们同在！”
一晃几年，他在一帮学徒里脱颖而出。他时刻记着母亲说的，不要怕吃苦，这是福，以后会有用的！就这样，他学的越来越多，手艺越来越好。工资也越来越高，后来二十几岁便做了一个小工头。
从他出去以后，基本上没有在主日停止过聚会。做了小工头以后，他也和老板商量，只要星期天上午让他去聚会，其它要求可以随便吩咐。实在不行，晚上可以加班把时间补回来。因他做事很认真和本分，老板对他越加信任。
后来，张弟兄因为长年在外，家里孩子越来越叛逆。母亲年纪大了，管不住。张弟兄就回老家了，开了一个小门市。一边做生意，一边敬拜上帝，做义工也很积极。并且从来不多说什么，更不会随意说人的好坏。
教会的老负责人因自己年纪也大了，就默默观察和锻炼他。慢慢地，张弟兄逐渐进入了堂委。直至做了副组长和组长，现在是教会的负责人。
虽然他是做生意的，但教会有事情他还是立刻就来，生意的事情交给妻子。不但如此，每个月他车子油费也跑了好几百，但他也从不报销，他的侍奉也带动了其他几位同工。
（本文作者系江苏一基层教会义工。）
张弟兄三十多年不变的跟随
A church leader, Brother Zhang, has been following the Lord for more than 30 years.
This 50-something-year-old brother lost his father when he was a child. He went to work in Shanghai as a teenager due to poverty. His mother, a pious Christian, said to him before he left home, “Don’t be afraid of suffering, which can actually be a blessing; don’t forget to get near God, who is always with us!”
In a few years, he stood out among a group of apprentices. He always kept what his mother said in mind: suffering would be a blessing, something worthwhile that he should not be afraid of. Accordingly, he learned more and had better skills. Later, he became a foreman with a high salary in his twenties.
Since he left home, he has nearly never stopped attending Sunday services. After becoming the foreman, he also discussed with his boss that as long as he was allowed to go to church on Sunday mornings, he would obey any other requirement from the boss. He could even work overtime at night to make up for the time. His boss trusted him more and more because of his hard work and sincere attitude.
Later, Brother Zhang had to go home since his children had become increasingly rebellious due to his absence at home, and Zhang’s mother was too old to deal with the children. Brother Zhang then opened a small store in his hometown. He did business and did voluntary work actively, and he never stopped worshiping God. He was not very talkative and never judged others casually.
The old head of the church observed him and helped him grow. Later, Zhang entered the church committee. Then he became the deputy team leader, then the team leader, and now the head of the church.
While attending his business at times, he would always offer help at once when the church is in need, leaving the company to his wife. In addition, he never asks for reimbursement of several hundred RMB per month for putting gas in his car due to his service, and his attitude really motivates several other staff members.
(The writer is a grassroots church volunteer in Jiangsu.)
- Translated by Stephen Huang
Over 30 Years, Brother Zhang Follows the Lord
