In these years, the living conditions of pastors in grass-roots churches has been a hot topic. Among many voices, it is a mainstream acknowledgment that the church should take more measures to raise the salary of grassroots pastors. However, due to the differences in local economies and the actual development of the churches, this expectation is actually not easy to fulfill.
In society, we occasionally hear spontaneous stories of believers supporting pastors, but after all, insisting on sponsoring pastors for a long time is not a small expense for the supporters. More so and really very commendable if it is a support to a total stranger for years.
Recently, a sister has given continuous support for a rural pastor for two years. Gospel Times, a Chinese Christian newspaper, interviewed Sister Wang to share the story of full of warmth and love.
Gospel Times: What was the opportunity for you to support pastors? Were you somehow touched or called to do so?
Wang: The opportunity for me was actually Gospel Times. More than two years ago, I saw a series of testimonies written by a young rural pastor on your website. The pastor described his experience of being chosen by God and his service in rural churches for many years, which greatly touched me. I came up with the idea of offering some help to the evangelist who was at the grassroots level.
However, as I was not very talented in speeches, it was difficult for me to preach the gospel myself, so I contacted the staff of Gospel Times to indirectly help the evangelist.
Gospel Times: Besides supporting the pastor, have you made any other contribution to supporting church ministries? In addition, do you have a detailed understanding of the pastor you sponsored? What are your expectations for him?
Wang: I am an ordinary believer. Apart from my daily work and life, I focus on the church to which I belong at present, so I usually do some service work for my church according to my gift.
As for the pastor brother whom I supported, we only had a simple communication on WeChat through which I got some knowledge about his belief. In terms of expectations, as we all work for God and act according to our conscience, I also believe that this brother can firmly go on the road of serving the grass-roots church under the conservative care of God.
Personally, I hope that the loving God will bless the land of China and the Chinese nation, keep and lead more Chinese children to believe in and return to Him. With God's blessing and conservation, our country and church will peacefully and prosperously take the road of development.
Gospel Times: You have given financial support every month for two years. Would such uninterrupted dedication bring you some pressure?
Wang: I work in the logistics industry and my income is not bad. Therefore, it is acceptable for me to give a part of my monthly salary to the pastor. It did not have a great impact on my daily life.
Gospel Times: If the pastor is capable of taking care of his church and daily life in the future, what are you going to do next? Are there any plans to continue to support other pastors?
Wang: As an ordinary believer, I won’t make any grand statement, but as long as it glorifies God's name and is helpful to the evangelical ministry, I will try my best to stick to it. Because this work is done for the Lord, I don't care which pastor in which area it would be. If this brother isn’t in need anymore, which is great, I will continue to help grassroots missionaries from other areas.
Gospel Times: Can you talk about your faith experience and what led you to the road of supporting evangelical ministries?
Wang: I come from Xi 'an, Shaanxi Province, and was born in a single-parent worker family in the 1970s. My parents divorced when I was very young and I lived with my mother.
Because my mother's mental state was unstable, I didn't have happy memories of my childhood. Under the influence of my family, I gradually grew into a pessimistic and lonely person who was once full of complaints about life and living. However, God reveals Himself in different ways. By chance, God made me know Him through a brother in the Lord.
When I felt that life was just like this, I looked up under a tree in pain and asked, "God, if you really exist, let a leaf fall on my face!" In an instance, a leaf turned down and slowly landed by my side. I burst into tears at once. It turned out that there was really a God who was caring for and protecting me. Later, I asked my brothers in the Lord why God didn't let the leaves fall on my face as I asked but by my side. God told me through the brother's mouth that he had revealed Himself to me through the leaf and it was my own choice whether I should pick up the leaf or not, and believe in or not believe in God.
After experiencing this miracle, I made up my mind to repent before the Lord. On March 31, 2012, after the music sermon of OCT Church, I took to the stage and decided to believe in the Lord. The night before my decision, I had two dreams. Both are related to Jesus Christ.
With the spiritual growth, my original strong and strict character gradually changed, and my passion and hope for life have gradually recovered. Besides, I also thank the Holy Spirit for his work in my family, which is getting more and more harmonious because of God's blessing.
After really feeling God's love and the real changes happening around me, I gradually came up with the idea of doing something for the Lord. However, I am not good at speeches and can't preach the gospel to others like other brothers and sisters, so I thought about the possibility of indirectly contributing my own strength to the evangelical ministry.
Perhaps there is a good intention of God. Soon after, I saw the testimonial story of this rural pastor brother on the Gospel Times website, and everyone knew how things unfolded afterward. With the help of colleagues on the website, I began to give some money every month to support him until now.
If you want me to talk about my initial intention about aiding the pastor, I really have nothing to share. My initial intention was very simple, that is, I simply hoped to support the evangelical ministry and honor the Lord's name - that's all.
- Translated by Charlie Li
近年来，关于基层教会传道人生存现状的讨论一直是个热门话题。在众多声音中，教会应当多举措提高基层传道人薪资待遇是一个主流认知，但囿于各地经济基础，教会实际发展状况的区别，这个设想实际上并不容易实现。
而在民间，我们也偶尔会听到信徒自发资助传道人的故事，但毕竟长期坚持资助传道人对资助人而言，本身就是一笔不小的开支，因此，能够做到数年如一日，为一位素昧平生的陌生人资助还是十分难能可贵的。
近日，一位姊妹两年来持续无偿资助农村传道人的见证故事让不少同工深受感动。究竟是什么信念使得这位姊妹愿意如此热心的支持农村传道人？两年来的无偿资助是否给她带来了一些收获与感动？
日前，福音时报采访了王姊妹建立了联系，了解了她多年来的信仰历程以及这个饱含着温暖与爱心的奉献故事。
QOSPEL TIMES:您参加传道人资助的契机是什么？是受到了某种感动或呼召吗？
Wang：我参加资助传道人事工的契机还是因为福音时报。
两年多前，我在网站上看到了一位年轻农村传道人所写的系列见证，他在文中讲述了自己的被神拣选的经历以及多年来在农村教会的侍奉历程，令我大受感动，我的脑海里也涌现出希望能为神的福音事工，或是为这些基层传道人提供些许帮助的想法。
但由于我个人不太擅长言辞，传讲福音的事工对我而言有些困难，所以我便联系了福音时报的同工，间接地帮助这些传道人们。
QOSPEL TIMES:除了支持农村传道人，您还为支持教会事工做过另外的奉献吗？另外，对于您所资助的这位传道人，您有详细了解吗？对他有哪些期许？
Wang：我本人就是一个普通信徒，除了日常工作生活以外，在信仰灵修中更多的还是围绕我目前所属的教会开展，所以平时我也会在教会里做一些力所能及的服侍。
对于我所资助的这位传道人弟兄，我们只是在微信上进行过简单交流，对于他的信仰情况有一些了解。在期许方面，我们都是为神做工，凭良心而行，所以我也相信，这位弟兄能够在神的保守关爱下，坚定地在服侍基层教会的路上走下去。
从我个人出发的话，我希望满有慈爱的神能祝福中华大地和中华民族，保守和带领更多的中华儿女信主归主，在神的祝福和保守下，我们国家和教会都能够和平昌盛地走好发展之路。
QOSPEL TIMES：两年来您每月都在资金支持，不间断的资助对您来说是否会产生些许压力？
Wang：我从事物流行业，收入还算可以，所以每月拿出一部分用来资助传道人弟兄对我而言还是能够接受的，并没有对我的日常生活造成较大的影响。
QOSPEL TIMES：若这位传道人日后有能力兼顾教会服侍以及日常生活，您接下来打算再做些什么呢？还有没有继续资助其他传道人的打算呢？
Wang：作为一个普通的信徒，我也说不出什么宏伟目标，但是，只要是能荣耀神的名，对福音事工有所帮助的事，我一定会尽我所能地坚持下去。因为这工是做在主身上，（所以）我不介意具体是什么地区的哪一位传道人。如果哪天这位弟兄不需要帮助了，我会再继续帮助其他地区的基层传道人。
QOSPEL TIMES:可否谈谈您的信仰经历，是什么带领您走上支持福音事工的道路呢？
Wang：我来自陕西西安，出生于70年代的一个单亲工人家庭。我的父母在我很小的时候就离异，我跟着母亲一起生活。
由于我的母亲的精神状况不太稳定，因此我的幼年时期也并没有留下什么欢愉的记忆，在原生家庭的影响下，我也渐渐地成长为一个悲观独立的人，一度对生命、对生活充满了抱怨。
然而神让每一个人认识祂的方式都不一样。一次机缘巧合，神通过一位主内弟兄让我认识了祂。
在我感到人生不过如此的时候，痛苦中的我在一棵树下仰面问天：“上帝啊，如果你真的存在，就让一片树叶落在我的脸上！”
顷刻间，一片树叶翻转而下，徐徐落在我的身边。我瞬间泪流满面，原来真的有一位上帝在保守爱护着我。
后来，我询问了主内弟兄，为什么当时上帝没有让树叶按照我的要求落在我的脸上，而是落在了我的身边？
上帝借着那位弟兄的口告诉我， 祂已经通过那片树叶向我显明，而至于我要不要捡起那片树叶，要不要相信上帝，全在我自己的选择之中。
经历了此次感动后，我立下决心在主面前悔改，2012年3月31日，我在华侨城教会音乐布道会之后，上台决志信主。决志的前一天夜里，我做了两个梦，都与耶稣基督有关。
随着灵命不断成长，我原先强势严苛的性格逐渐发生了转变，对生活也渐渐恢复了热情与盼望。此外，也感谢圣灵在我家里做工，我的家庭因为受到神的祝福而越来越和睦。
在真切感受到上帝的爱以及发生在我身边的真实改变后，我渐渐萌生了希望能为主做些事情的想法，但是我自觉能力尚浅，也不擅言谈，不能够像其他弟兄姊妹一样向他人传讲福音，所以就计划是否可以通过间接形式为福音事工贡献自己的力量。
或许是冥冥中有上帝的美意，不久后，我就在福音时报网站上看到了这位农村传道人弟兄的见证故事，随后的事情大家也就知道了，在网站同工的帮助下，我便开始每月拿出一部分资金用来资助农村传道人，直到现在。
如果要我分享关于资助传道人的初心的话，我好像确实没有特别值得分享的地方，我的初心很简单，就是单纯的希望能够支持福音事工，荣耀主名，就这些。
【专访】情系圣工献爱心 捐资奉献荣主名——记一位无私资助农村传道人的姊妹
In these years, the living conditions of pastors in grass-roots churches has been a hot topic. Among many voices, it is a mainstream acknowledgment that the church should take more measures to raise the salary of grassroots pastors. However, due to the differences in local economies and the actual development of the churches, this expectation is actually not easy to fulfill.
In society, we occasionally hear spontaneous stories of believers supporting pastors, but after all, insisting on sponsoring pastors for a long time is not a small expense for the supporters. More so and really very commendable if it is a support to a total stranger for years.
Recently, a sister has given continuous support for a rural pastor for two years. Gospel Times, a Chinese Christian newspaper, interviewed Sister Wang to share the story of full of warmth and love.
Gospel Times: What was the opportunity for you to support pastors? Were you somehow touched or called to do so?
Wang: The opportunity for me was actually Gospel Times. More than two years ago, I saw a series of testimonies written by a young rural pastor on your website. The pastor described his experience of being chosen by God and his service in rural churches for many years, which greatly touched me. I came up with the idea of offering some help to the evangelist who was at the grassroots level.
However, as I was not very talented in speeches, it was difficult for me to preach the gospel myself, so I contacted the staff of Gospel Times to indirectly help the evangelist.
Gospel Times: Besides supporting the pastor, have you made any other contribution to supporting church ministries? In addition, do you have a detailed understanding of the pastor you sponsored? What are your expectations for him?
Wang: I am an ordinary believer. Apart from my daily work and life, I focus on the church to which I belong at present, so I usually do some service work for my church according to my gift.
As for the pastor brother whom I supported, we only had a simple communication on WeChat through which I got some knowledge about his belief. In terms of expectations, as we all work for God and act according to our conscience, I also believe that this brother can firmly go on the road of serving the grass-roots church under the conservative care of God.
Personally, I hope that the loving God will bless the land of China and the Chinese nation, keep and lead more Chinese children to believe in and return to Him. With God's blessing and conservation, our country and church will peacefully and prosperously take the road of development.
Gospel Times: You have given financial support every month for two years. Would such uninterrupted dedication bring you some pressure?
Wang: I work in the logistics industry and my income is not bad. Therefore, it is acceptable for me to give a part of my monthly salary to the pastor. It did not have a great impact on my daily life.
Gospel Times: If the pastor is capable of taking care of his church and daily life in the future, what are you going to do next? Are there any plans to continue to support other pastors?
Wang: As an ordinary believer, I won’t make any grand statement, but as long as it glorifies God's name and is helpful to the evangelical ministry, I will try my best to stick to it. Because this work is done for the Lord, I don't care which pastor in which area it would be. If this brother isn’t in need anymore, which is great, I will continue to help grassroots missionaries from other areas.
Gospel Times: Can you talk about your faith experience and what led you to the road of supporting evangelical ministries?
Wang: I come from Xi 'an, Shaanxi Province, and was born in a single-parent worker family in the 1970s. My parents divorced when I was very young and I lived with my mother.
Because my mother's mental state was unstable, I didn't have happy memories of my childhood. Under the influence of my family, I gradually grew into a pessimistic and lonely person who was once full of complaints about life and living. However, God reveals Himself in different ways. By chance, God made me know Him through a brother in the Lord.
When I felt that life was just like this, I looked up under a tree in pain and asked, "God, if you really exist, let a leaf fall on my face!" In an instance, a leaf turned down and slowly landed by my side. I burst into tears at once. It turned out that there was really a God who was caring for and protecting me. Later, I asked my brothers in the Lord why God didn't let the leaves fall on my face as I asked but by my side. God told me through the brother's mouth that he had revealed Himself to me through the leaf and it was my own choice whether I should pick up the leaf or not, and believe in or not believe in God.
After experiencing this miracle, I made up my mind to repent before the Lord. On March 31, 2012, after the music sermon of OCT Church, I took to the stage and decided to believe in the Lord. The night before my decision, I had two dreams. Both are related to Jesus Christ.
With the spiritual growth, my original strong and strict character gradually changed, and my passion and hope for life have gradually recovered. Besides, I also thank the Holy Spirit for his work in my family, which is getting more and more harmonious because of God's blessing.
After really feeling God's love and the real changes happening around me, I gradually came up with the idea of doing something for the Lord. However, I am not good at speeches and can't preach the gospel to others like other brothers and sisters, so I thought about the possibility of indirectly contributing my own strength to the evangelical ministry.
Perhaps there is a good intention of God. Soon after, I saw the testimonial story of this rural pastor brother on the Gospel Times website, and everyone knew how things unfolded afterward. With the help of colleagues on the website, I began to give some money every month to support him until now.
If you want me to talk about my initial intention about aiding the pastor, I really have nothing to share. My initial intention was very simple, that is, I simply hoped to support the evangelical ministry and honor the Lord's name - that's all.
- Translated by Charlie Li
[Interview] Christian Woman Financially Supports Grassroots Pastor for Two Years
