One year was a turning point for us.
We found this meeting space that could fit 150 people, and that’s where our church’s journey began. At the start, there were just 40 or 50 of us, but within a month, our numbers grew to 105. We were a small but tight-knit community, navigating the challenges together.
We decided to spruce up the place, putting in 200,000 yuan for renovations. We were careful with our spending, not wanting to burden our people. But we did make this investment, which was not nothing to us.
God had other plans for us.
Just two months in, during one of our services, a group of 20 to 30 people barged in, trying to collect information about everyone present. It was a moment of fear and uncertainty.
Our pastor stepped up, like a true shepherd shielding his flock. His bravery saved us, especially our members working in government and teaching roles. If their details were recorded, they could have lost their jobs. The pastor’s intervention spared them, but it came at a cost. He was taken away, and we lost our rented space.
For the next year and a half, we were like nomads, moving from one borrowed venue to another—corporate meeting rooms, hotels, coffee shops—all thanks to the generosity of our fellow believers. It was a time of deep reflection, especially for us younger members. We pondered what the church really meant.
We realized the church was more than just a building—it was a gathering of God’s chosen people, rooted in our relationship with him. We, his children, made up the church. It wasn’t about fancy surroundings; it was about our faith and unity. The struggles of that year taught us the true essence of being a church—simple, strong, and bound together by our shared belief.
Editor’s note: If you missed the introduction to this series, “God at Work During 3 Years of Isolation,” be sure to check it out!
Image credit: Bruno Aguirre via UnSplash.
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