Editor’s note: A Dalian pastor shares the Scripture passage God used to convict and call him to serve his city in ministry.
China Partnership: What is the one passage of Scripture you feel is most representative of Dalian?
Resisting God’s Call
Wang Fu: The most important Scripture that enables me to serve the Lord is the Book of Jonah. The Book of Jonah is my “calling Scripture,” and the reason I entered pastoral ministry.
After coming to faith, I was fervent for the gospel, the Lord, and the faith. I was also enthusiastic about evangelism – but I never planned to be a preacher. I thought, “It’s not easy for a 40-year-old man to make this decision. I will respond to God, but I won’t be a preacher – I don’t have that gift. I can do business fine, and I can make money, but I can’t preach.”
God called me three times, through different Scriptures and different experiences. But, I refused each time. I know God was calling me, but I refused, because I felt I couldn’t do it.
But God called me three times, through different Scriptures and different experiences. I refused each time. I knew God was calling me, but I refused, because I felt I couldn’t do it. Preaching is really difficult; how could I be qualified?
At that time, I also had a lot of business. I had spent years establishing my company, and had a good annual income, with many stores. I thought, “My work can bring me a lot of wealth, and I can use that money to support ministry.”
In this process, I resisted God and refused his calling. One day, I encountered something that made me feel I should think carefully about God’s word and what exactly God wanted me to do. I started praying at home, and my prayer lasted several days. My heart was very, very torn. I couldn’t refuse God’s call, but I didn’t want to give up everything in my hands. I prayed for seven days. I knew what it meant to “pray without ceasing,” and I knew that God’s Spirit was working.
I couldn’t refuse God’s call, but I didn’t want to give up everything in my hands.
God’s Compassion on Dalian
Then, I started to read the Book of Jonah. That day I found that, when God sent Jonah, he was unwilling. Later, when he sat outside the city of Ninevah, he argued with God about the plant [that was shading him]. I discovered that I saw my business the way Jonah saw the plant. I valued my “plant,” instead of valuing what God wanted to do.
The last verses of Jonah say:
Never miss a story
I know that my money, my work, my family – all these things come from God. He gave them to me, and my heart loves them so much, yet they are all temporary. The last verse of Jonah completely changed my heart. It says:
“And should I not pity Ninevah, that great city, in which there are more than 120,000 persons who do not know their right hand from their left, and also much cattle?”
Those words deeply touched me. I really loved my life and everything I had – but God’s heart was for me to focus on his city, where there are many people. That day I began to repent before God. I said, “God, if this is your calling, let it begin. I don’t know what I can do, but I need you to give me confirmation.”
I really loved my life and keeping everything I had – but God’s heart was for me to focus on his city, where there are many people. That day I began to repent.
Ten minutes later, I got an invitation from a seminary. When I saw it, God had already prepared me. At the time, my wife said to me, “Are you crazy? You’re actually going to be a preacher? What are you thinking?” I said, “I don’t know. This has nothing to do with me. I can’t answer you – but in 10 years, God will answer you. He will accomplish his own work through a useless person. Let’s wait and see.”
Looking back at our church today, I think many things are related to this Scripture. Like Scripture says, there are many people in this city, and God has compassion on them.
Wang Fu is a pseudonym for a house church pastor in Dalian.
Pray for Dalian believers to have God’s compassionate heart for the people of their city.
