On June 24, 2018, a church in Henan Province observed its 16th anniversary.
Nanshankou Church in Gongyi sprouted in a rental factory and a few annexes. Later the church grew to a congregation of five or six hundred believers. Consequently, the facility could not hold so many people. The deacons decided to build a new church on another site but never imagined the upcoming difficulties.
In 2001 when the new church was located, it was discovered that military cables were buried underneath the site. Nobody dared to dig them up or construct on them. Face with such dilemma, the congregation prayed for this. Afterward, they were told that these cables were removed and didn't know the exact time.
Another problem was from a local production brigade, a specific organization of China's soclialism agricultural economy. A downpour resulted in a breach in a household's house near the church, but the family wanted a compensation for the loss by causing trouble to the church.
The rural administrative sector made the final judgment: the loss was caused by the natural disaster rathern the church. However, the household kept arguing and blocked the construction project. The result of the subsequent negotiation was that the church would offer a compensation, but unfortunately, the production brigade attacked the church because of the issue. The project was obstructed and had to be suspended.
Two years later, the project was resumed. Finally, a new church was completed.
Costing over 600,000 yuan, the three-story church has a main hall with a seating capacity of about 1,000 people. A three-day praise and worship rally was held to celebrate the good news.
Now there are eight preachers, a band, and a team of workers in the church. A yearly thanksgiving praise and worship meeting is held every June.
- Translated by Karen Luo
