Born into a tumultuous China on July 25, 1900, Wang Mingdao, originally named Wang Yong-shung, faced adversity from the start. His father had died amid the Boxer Rebellion, and he was raised in poverty by his mother in Beijing. Despite frequent illness, he became known as 'Iron Son' due to his tenacity. At age 14, Wang embraced Christianity at a school run by the London Missionary Society. An older student taught him how to read the Bible and pray, setting him on a path that would define his life.
Building an Independent Church Ministry
In 1925, Wang began holding religious meetings in his home, which grew into the Christian Tabernacle. By 1937, it had become one of Beijing's largest evangelical churches, emphasizing repentance and personal conversion. His ministry was known for its independence; he never accepted foreign funds and focused on building a self-sustained church.
During World War II, Wang refused to let his church become a tool for the Japanese occupiers, standing firm in his belief that church and state should remain separate. He even kept a coffin at home, ready for martyrdom, but saw his survival as divine protection.
Christian Persecution China Under Communism
When the Communist regime pressured him to join the state-controlled Three-Self Patriotic Movement, Wang resisted. He was arrested in 1955, enduring beatings and forced to make a false confession. Released in 1956, his remorse for this act led him back to prison in 1957, where he was sentenced to life in 1963. In prison, Wang's faith remained unshaken. He preached through sewage pipes, leading 94 prisoners to embrace faith over seven years.
Legacy of Faithful Witness
Wang was released in 1980, under conditions he did not agree to, and spent his final years in Shanghai, continuing to inspire believers from his small apartment. He met Billy Graham in 1988 and passed away on July 28, 1991. Wang Mingdao's legacy as 'Dean of the House Churches' endures, his life a testament to unwavering faith and the transformative power of prayer.
