As Pastor Z's soothing voice reached my ears, I felt the sincerity and kindness akin to that of a farmer's words. Upon meeting him in person, I discovered that this grassroots pastor possessed a compassionate heart, akin to that of a philanthropist. Unlike other pastors who primarily focus on pastoral care, Pastor Z often roams the vicinity of the church, seeking out those in need of assistance.
During his regular visits to hospitalized patients, Pastor Z noticed that relatives traveling from distant places often faced challenges in finding clean and comfortable accommodations. In response, he negotiated with the church staff to rent a nearby house, which was then offered free of charge to financially challenged relatives. The church waived water and electricity expenses and occasionally provided supplies such as oil, salt, soy sauce, and vinegar.
While such efforts may not immediately convince every patient or family member of the gospel, Pastor Z's purpose is to extend God's unconditional love.
Pastor Z once opened his home to two orphaned brothers, both in their teens, whose parents tragically passed away within a span of 100 days. After attending to the funeral arrangements for the children's parents, he welcomed the youngsters into his own home. Alongside encouraging the church members to extend their love and support to the two children, Pastor Z also took into consideration their employment and marriage.
As the elder brother grew older, Pastor Z sought assistance in finding him a job. Despite his initial unruly behavior, he gradually transformed under Pastor Z's guidance and paternal care. Pastor Z treated him as his own child and steered him towards the right path. Both brothers now are believers, have stable careers, are married, and the younger one serves the church.
Moreover, Z actively engages in social welfare activities. In 2008, in the aftermath of the Wenchuan earthquake in Sichuan, he promptly joined the rescue efforts, delivering essential supplies and taking on assigned tasks, such as assisting the wounded who were unable to care for themselves by transporting fecal or urine matter. As a Christian, he shared the significance of "life" with those who had lost the will to live.
During the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, when masks and protective clothing were scarce, Pastor Z diligently monitored the news and coordinated with several churches to secure these resources domestically and internationally. He then distributed them to the affected regions. Furthermore, during the lockdown period, he volunteered his services.
Pastor Z has captured the attention of diverse individuals, including prostitutes, unfaithful husbands, discouraged students, grieving seniors, critically-ill patients and their families, and unruly youngsters undergoing drug rehabilitation. Under his guidance, each of them experienced positive transformations.
- Translated by Abigail Wu
Z牧师，是一位基层牧者。还没有见面，只听他的声音，就觉得他有着农民般亲切朴实的言语。及至见了面，听完他的故事后，又发现这位牧师同时还有着慈善家的胸怀。
Z牧师并不富有，相比较于很多牧者专心牧养教会，Z牧师常常在教会的外围走动，并且能够发现他爱的对象。
Z牧师去医院探访病人时，看到很多外地患者家属为了照顾病人常常连睡觉的地方也没有，吃饭也很困难。他就回来和教会同工商量，在医院附近租房子。免费给一些经济上非常困难的患者家属使用，并且水电费都免，有时候还提供油盐酱醋。
他们知道这样做不一定会使每一个病人或者家属都能相信福音，但是，他认为，他们就是要无条件去传递基督的爱。
Z牧师曾经在家里接待两个孤儿，这是兄弟俩，只有十几岁，父母先后在100天之内去世。安排好孩子父母的后世，他就把孩子接到自己的家中，除了鼓励教会弟兄姊妹爱护和支持这两个孩子外，他还为孩子的工作和婚姻考虑。
两个孩子大一些的时候，他托人给哥哥介绍了一份工作。但是哥哥那时候不太受管教，也不习惯遵守工厂的员工制度，上班期间随意旷工。老板打电话找Z牧师，但他还是像对自己的孩子那样慢慢引导孩子走正路。现在兄弟俩都已经成家，也都有稳定的工作，都信主了，弟弟还在教会参与事奉。
Z牧师也常常参与社会公益，汶川地震的第七天他就赶过去参加救援。除了送物资，他们还被安排做些力所能及的事情。他被安排的工作是为失去自理能力的伤员“端屎端尿”。
有护士听说他是基督徒，就把那些在地震中失去了活下去的信念的伤员介绍给他，他总是把“生”的意义告诉给灾区的人们。他说，“我们放下自己的工作来到这里，为的就是让你们能活着，不然，你给我多少钱我都不来。”
2020年新冠疫情初期，口罩和防护服很难买到的。Z牧师每天看着新闻，联系各地的教会，动用各种关系，从国内外寻找途径购买物资并想办法送到疫区。他也会在疫情封控期间报名做志愿者。
他吸引了妓女、出轨的丈夫、抑郁的学生、被子女嫌弃的老人、重症患者和家属、戒毒所的叛逆青年，在他的影响下发生改变。
特写| 一位基层牧师的真实探索：我们如何在社会中活出基督的大爱？
As Pastor Z's soothing voice reached my ears, I felt the sincerity and kindness akin to that of a farmer's words. Upon meeting him in person, I discovered that this grassroots pastor possessed a compassionate heart, akin to that of a philanthropist. Unlike other pastors who primarily focus on pastoral care, Pastor Z often roams the vicinity of the church, seeking out those in need of assistance.
During his regular visits to hospitalized patients, Pastor Z noticed that relatives traveling from distant places often faced challenges in finding clean and comfortable accommodations. In response, he negotiated with the church staff to rent a nearby house, which was then offered free of charge to financially challenged relatives. The church waived water and electricity expenses and occasionally provided supplies such as oil, salt, soy sauce, and vinegar.
While such efforts may not immediately convince every patient or family member of the gospel, Pastor Z's purpose is to extend God's unconditional love.
Pastor Z once opened his home to two orphaned brothers, both in their teens, whose parents tragically passed away within a span of 100 days. After attending to the funeral arrangements for the children's parents, he welcomed the youngsters into his own home. Alongside encouraging the church members to extend their love and support to the two children, Pastor Z also took into consideration their employment and marriage.
As the elder brother grew older, Pastor Z sought assistance in finding him a job. Despite his initial unruly behavior, he gradually transformed under Pastor Z's guidance and paternal care. Pastor Z treated him as his own child and steered him towards the right path. Both brothers now are believers, have stable careers, are married, and the younger one serves the church.
Moreover, Z actively engages in social welfare activities. In 2008, in the aftermath of the Wenchuan earthquake in Sichuan, he promptly joined the rescue efforts, delivering essential supplies and taking on assigned tasks, such as assisting the wounded who were unable to care for themselves by transporting fecal or urine matter. As a Christian, he shared the significance of "life" with those who had lost the will to live.
During the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, when masks and protective clothing were scarce, Pastor Z diligently monitored the news and coordinated with several churches to secure these resources domestically and internationally. He then distributed them to the affected regions. Furthermore, during the lockdown period, he volunteered his services.
Pastor Z has captured the attention of diverse individuals, including prostitutes, unfaithful husbands, discouraged students, grieving seniors, critically-ill patients and their families, and unruly youngsters undergoing drug rehabilitation. Under his guidance, each of them experienced positive transformations.
- Translated by Abigail Wu
Pastor Z Demonstrates Christ-like Love in a Variety of Settings
