He’d walk nine hours to preach the gospel in China

Long Xinrong, a preacher in the mountainous regions of China’s Yunnan Province, wants to thank you for providing him with a motorcycle that helps him reach his congregations.

‘Itinerant ministry is a huge part of my work for the Lord, ministering to members located in different mountainous regions. It was common for me to walk up to four and a half hours, one way, to one location. A round trip would take up to as long as nine hours in walking!

‘For many years, through fervent prayers, I cried out to the Lord, asking for his providence for a suitable means of transportation to aid in ministering to the communities I serve. Thank God that my prayers have been answered through Bible Society supporters!

‘I graduated from the Bible seminary in 2001. The church I serve in consists of congregations of over 600 believers, gathering in seven different locations. Most of the members live in mountainous areas of more than 2,000 meters above sea level. Many families live on annual incomes of about £2,000, growing crops like potatoes and maize.

Long Xinrong

‘Now, four hours on foot is replaced by just one hour on the motorcycle! This has made ministry work much more effective, as I am now able to arrange teachings and house visits with more ease, increasing my capacity to minister to more people. I thank God for keeping me safe this entire period that I have been riding the motorcycle. I will continue to use the motorcycle in my service to the Lord and his people!

‘Since 2019, cult groups calling themselves Christian have been on the rise in the region. To shepherd and disciple the flock that the Lord has entrusted to us, we need to remain vigilant, be discerning and be better equipped with the word of God. I have planned and arranged for quarterly training programmes for different groups of believers, and these efforts have been made possible with the motorcycle too.

‘I would like to ask for prayers for my wife. She has been silently supporting me through the almost 20 years in ministry work, by labouring in the field. She has been plagued with poor health for the past five years. Please pray along with me that the Lord will continue to watch over my family and I, provide us with healthy and strong minds and bodies, so that we may serve God effectively! Amen!’

Please visit our China Prayer Tree and share a prayer or be led by the prayers of others. Here are some prayer pointers for you:

• Pray that preachers in remote areas will persevere in spite of the many tough challenges
• Ask God to protect the pastors using motorcycles through what is often very difficult and dangerous terrain
• Pray that this project will identify those preachers that are most in need
• Pray for Long Xinrong and his wife

This story first appeared in our Bible a Month prayer letter. By joining Bible a Month with a regular gift of £10 or more you enable the Bible to reach more people. You will also be providing pastors such as Xinrong with the support they so desperately need. All for as little as £10 a month.

Support Chinese pastors like Xinrong right now