Editor’s note: Dalian is a port city of about 7.5 million in northeastern China. It is the second-biggest city in Liaoning Province (after Shenyang), and the third-biggest city in all of northeastern China, coming in behind Shenyang and Harbin. Although there has been a port in the area for thousands of years, modern Dalian was not established until the early 1900s. The city was laid out by Russian planners, completed by the Japanese, and then run by the Soviet Union for several years after World War II. The area was returned to China in 1950, and was renamed “Dalian” only in 1981.
“God Called Me”
China Partnership: Can you briefly introduce yourself?
Wang Fu: I came to Dalian about 20 years ago. Before that, I lived abroad for awhile. I considered immigrating, but ultimately decided to stay in northeastern China. My wife and I have two children who are now in their teens and 20s.
I came to faith in Jesus in my late 30s. That was when my life began to change. After encountering the gospel, my entire life underwent a great transformation. I came to know the Lord, found true peace, and gradually began to change. I had discovered what I truly hope for. From that point on, the gospel has profoundly influenced my outlook on life and my future.
Very few people transferred into our church from other churches. Almost everyone was a new believer, who wept and tearfully repented when they heard the gospel.
A missionary helped shepherd me so I could understand basic Christian faith. A year after becoming a Christian, God called me: once, twice, three times, four times. It was very miraculous. I felt this kind of experience was impossible, that it could never have happened to me. I never planned to become a preacher; I hadn’t even planned to become a Christian. I thought the challenge was too great. But there was no way to refuse or avoid God’s calling. At the fourth calling, I decided to become a preacher.
Without any resources, I began establishing churches. Over four years, we planted four congregations. The development was not particularly fast, but we experienced the work of the Holy Spirit. I had no training in preaching, but through trying to be as gospel-centered as possible in teaching the Bible, the fellowship began to experience something very different. The Holy Spirit did great work.
Very few people transferred into our church from other churches. Almost everyone was a new believer, who wept and tearfully repented when they heard the gospel. Looking back, this was the work of the Holy Spirit.
Over the years, we’ve planted several churches, and those churches have gone in different directions. Now, our church has about 60 members, with more people who attend each week.
I see Dalian as my mission field, so I try as much as possible to understand this city, and often pray for it.
Zang Xile: I have three children, and my wife and I lived overseas for several years. I dedicated myself to ministry during a Chinese Christian conference in North America [and then we came back to China].
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Russian and Japanese History
CP: What is unique about Dalian?
Wang Fu: When I came to Dalian, I found that it was a really interesting city. The city itself was colonized by Russia for many years, then it was occupied by Japan for many years. The city is very multicultural, and I really like a lot of the buildings. Dalian is a coastal city, and is very beautiful.
Dalian is a really interesting city. The city itself was colonized by Russia for many years, then was occupied by Japan for many years. The city is very multicultural… and very beautiful.
Dalian is also a relatively new city: it has only been a bit more than 100 years since it was established. Geographically, Dalian is a port city, a gateway city. Dalian is very prosperous and is directly connected to Japan, Korea, and other countries through direct trade. The entire city is relatively open and multicultural – more so than other northeastern Chinese cities, although not as open as southern Chinese cities.
Overall, the architecture is primarily Japanese-Russian. If you come to Dalian, you’ll feel that the city has a bit of Russian character. Culturally, local people are primarily like the people of Shandong Province. More than a hundred years ago, most immigrants came from Shandong. Over the past 40 or so years, many young people from northeastern China have come here. Overall, Dalian is mild and accepting, more so than other northeastern cities.
Zang Xile: In the part of Dalian where I live, there aren’t that many native Dalian people. Most people in the area are from the three northeastern provinces [Heilongjiang, Jilin, and Liaoning provinces]. Our church is the same way, with few people who were born and raised in the area.
Korean Missionary Influence
CP: What is Dalian’s gospel history?
Wang Fu: Because it’s only been a hundred years, Christianity’s development in Dalian hasn’t been very prosperous. In the early 20th century, the Lutherans established a church here. There’s also a Catholic cathedral, and the Japanese Christian Association built a very small church here. In the entire city, there are only three church buildings, with a history of only 90 or so years.
Right now, the establishment of Christian churches is also very slow. Only in the last 20 or 30 years did missionaries establish some house churches. There are also a few traditional churches, and some emerging urban churches.
Dalian is mild and accepting, more so than other northeastern cities.
Dalian doesn’t have a very big Christian community. Most churches do not have a denominational background. The churches have little unity, and there’s not much cooperation between them. Overall, I feel Christian faith is pretty weak in this city.
Zang Xile: As for gospel history, my understanding isn’t all that complete. But, I would say the gospel history of Dalian has been influenced by Korean missionaries. Korean missionaries served in Dalian for a period of time, and for awhile there were quite a lot of them.
In my area, the overall faith situation, the way brothers and sisters understand the gospel, is a mixed bag. There are a lot of different denominational backgrounds, and then individuals have also had their own various experiences. Some believers come from Three-Self churches, while others were influenced by charismatic movements or by the prosperity gospel.
Our own church has some believers who spent a lot of time in charismatic churches. There are quite a few in our church who come from the Three-Self church.
Wang Fu and Zang Xile are pseudonyms for house church pastors in Dalian.
Pray for the city of Dalian to turn to Jesus.
