Dr. Sung's Wider Ministry Begins

       The second, or "Door" period, beginning in November 1930 opened a wider ministry in all China.  It came about this way: there was a big Religious Education conference near Shanghai, and John Sung was sent as a delegate, not as a speaker, but to learn from others.  However, he took a suitcase full of religious education materials he had used in the rural districts.  A noted missionary lady saw these materials, and asked him to take her place as a speaker the first day. After they heard him, different ones asked him to speak, and he became the main speaker of the conference.

       One of my Chinese preacher friends from Nanchang was there, and came back enthused, and all aglow with interest and zeal.  He said,  “Oh, Mr. Schubert, we Chinese have our own Paul.  He preaches the Bible like I never heard anyone preach before.” He asked, “Could we have him come to Nanchang?” I replied, “Yes, why don't you invite him; you have your own church.”  He said, “I asked the Chinese district superintendent, and he didn't approve.”

       I said, “You don't have to have his approval.”  (In those days it wasn't necessary as it is now.)  John Sung was also a Methodist preacher.  “You can invite him; you have the authority.” He said, “Yes, but how will I finance it?”  I replied, “If he is as good as you say, it will take care of itself, but if not, I'll underwrite it.” Which was all he needed.

       Pastor Hsu promptly wrote to Dr. Sung, who had promised to come if invited.  But meantime, the bishop and the lady “archbishop” (the senior missionary) had written that Sung must return to his work in Hinghwa, so he answered Hsu that he couldn't come.  This was a great disappointment to us.  However, he got sick, and while he was in Bethel Hospital in Shanghai God told him to come to Nanchang, so he obeyed God, with marvelous results.