A single church located in Liaoning started small with just six believers, but has since thrived, expanding impressively to comprise a congregation of more than 200 members. They have also upgraded from a rundown chapel to a grand three-story Gothic structure.
Despite the Yongguang Church’s insufficiently organized start, having lost seven church leaders (pastors), they now boast a team of 27 pastoral staff, a financial department, and a full operatinal choir.
The church is located in the rural outskirts of Shenyang, and most of its members are earning their living by farming, although a few are city residents.
During my interview with Pastor Feng Yumei, the leader of Yongguang Church, on June 13, she recounted how the meeting place was established in 1984. It all began when an elderly member regained her health after suffering an illness and became a devout Christian. She proceeded to share the gospel with her neighbors and friends, even turning her home into a meeting place. In June 2000, believers raised funds and purchased a property spanning 220 square meters (0.054 acres) to construct a new chapel.
In October 2015, Pastor Feng was appointed to oversee the church’s management and services. Upon observing the state of the building, she decided to offer her savings of more than 200,000 yuan to the church. So, in 2016, the church hired 146 dump trucks with the funds to fill up the large pit in the churchyard with dirt and planted more than 160 fruit trees to improve the atmosphere.
Later the same year, they had a dedication ceremony for the church. Then, in 2019, ancillary buildings, such as offices, cafeterias, and restrooms, were also established.
In 2020, the church staff dedicated much time to seeking out members who had gone astray or wandered off in the surrounding communities. They even rented cars to transport believers from neighboring towns and villages to attend services, and provided low-income families with much-needed supplies. And this is the story behind the miracle of Yongguang Church, which has grown into a congregation of approximately 200-230 members today.
- Translated by Joyce Leung
辽宁一所教堂起初只有6位信徒，发展到现在的200多人；从原先的破乱教堂，到现在一座三层哥特式建筑。
沈阳市永光聚会点历经七位教会负责人（传道人）的离开。从教会组织不健全，到现在的教牧同工有27位、诗班、财务、服务组体系俱全。
永光教会地处沈阳的市郊，除了部分城镇的人口外，大部分是以从事农业为主的信徒。
6月13日，永光教会的负责人冯玉梅教士告诉笔者：该聚会点始建于1984年。当时有一个老人家因病信主，身体恢复健康后，把福音传递给邻舍亲朋。她把自己家奉献当聚会场所。2000年6月信徒自筹资金买一处民房，新建圣殿220平方米。
2015年10月冯玉梅教士被委派到永光活动点管理、牧养，她把自己积蓄的二十多万元奉献给教会。在2016年教会雇用了146大翻斗车土，填平教会院子里的大坑，并栽了160多棵果树美化家园。
2016年献堂典礼，在2019年建设了办公室、食堂、卫生间等附属建筑。
2020年他们同工通过多次到乡镇的肢体家中走访慰问，寻找接纳周边地方迷失、离散的羊。教会雇车从附近的村子里接信徒来聚会，为贫困户送生活必须品。现在聚会信徒可达到200-230人。
辽宁沈阳永光教会：从6到200
A single church located in Liaoning started small with just six believers, but has since thrived, expanding impressively to comprise a congregation of more than 200 members. They have also upgraded from a rundown chapel to a grand three-story Gothic structure.
Despite the Yongguang Church’s insufficiently organized start, having lost seven church leaders (pastors), they now boast a team of 27 pastoral staff, a financial department, and a full operatinal choir.
The church is located in the rural outskirts of Shenyang, and most of its members are earning their living by farming, although a few are city residents.
During my interview with Pastor Feng Yumei, the leader of Yongguang Church, on June 13, she recounted how the meeting place was established in 1984. It all began when an elderly member regained her health after suffering an illness and became a devout Christian. She proceeded to share the gospel with her neighbors and friends, even turning her home into a meeting place. In June 2000, believers raised funds and purchased a property spanning 220 square meters (0.054 acres) to construct a new chapel.
In October 2015, Pastor Feng was appointed to oversee the church’s management and services. Upon observing the state of the building, she decided to offer her savings of more than 200,000 yuan to the church. So, in 2016, the church hired 146 dump trucks with the funds to fill up the large pit in the churchyard with dirt and planted more than 160 fruit trees to improve the atmosphere.
Later the same year, they had a dedication ceremony for the church. Then, in 2019, ancillary buildings, such as offices, cafeterias, and restrooms, were also established.
In 2020, the church staff dedicated much time to seeking out members who had gone astray or wandered off in the surrounding communities. They even rented cars to transport believers from neighboring towns and villages to attend services, and provided low-income families with much-needed supplies. And this is the story behind the miracle of Yongguang Church, which has grown into a congregation of approximately 200-230 members today.
- Translated by Joyce Leung
Miracle of Church Growth from 6 to 200 Members
