On Feb 5, 2017, Elder Zhao Xingzhang, died at the age of 99, Baotou, Inner Mongolia. His eldest son claimed on the memorial service that Zhao "helped to construct 87 churches throughout his lifetime."
Born in 1919, Elder Zhao followed his grandfather's belief and knew Jesus. Since then, he walked on the faith journey.He began to teach in a primary school founded by the local church, and later, he joined in a mission that served the western part of the province, preaching and nurturing believers in the suburbs surrounding Baotou.
After the reform and opening up, there was an increase of local members and more gathering places were required. So Elder Zhao built a gathering place in his courtyard. As the congregation grew, he donated his own house for gatherings and expanded it into a church that could hold 400 people. That was Fengbeicang Church.
Besides, he was in charge of the church construction in Donghe District of Baotou and surrounding suburbs. After the churches were completed in the local regions, he visited each of them and preached God's word in his last decade. During the Spring Festival of 2016, he participated in a sermon campaign that served the rural believers and preached sermons in a church for three days.
What was more, he insisted on the prayer for the conversion of his family. At his 98th birthday party, he baptized his five grandsons.
After his death, his family donated his deposit of 100,000 yuan and the offerings donated by churches in the memorial service to support the church construction.
Translated by Karen Luo
