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Pastor, wife killed at Lottie Moon’s church
Baptist Press
September 03, 2010
3 MIN READ TIME

Pastor, wife killed at Lottie Moon’s church

Pastor, wife killed at Lottie Moon’s church
Baptist Press
September 03, 2010

PENGLAI, China — A Chinese

pastor and his wife were slain Aug. 31 at Penglai Christian Church, where

Lottie Moon, an icon of Southern Baptist mission work, served in the early

1900s in Penglai, China.

Pastor Qin Jia Ye and his wife Hong En He, both in their 80s, were killed in

the church’s office on Wednesday.

The suspect — a 40-year-old former church member — was arrested within an hour

of the early morning incident.

The couple’s violent death is a shock to many, both in China and the United

States.

The church was closed for 49 years after communists came to power at

the end of World War II, reopening in 1988 with only 20 people.

Qin reported 300 baptisms several years in a row. Today, there are 3,600

members.

Chinese newspaper accounts state that the suspect entered the church office

carrying an axe and struck the pastor and his wife, killing them both.

The church eventually outgrew Moon’s original structure and built a modern

1,500-seat sanctuary next to it with the help of Johnson Ferry Baptist Church

in Marietta, Ga.

“From the moment I met Pastor Qin, I could sense a Christ-like spirit,” said

Bryant Wright, Johnson Ferry senior pastor and current Southern Baptist

Convention president. “We are incredibly saddened by this tragic event, but we

know one of the Lord’s faithful servants is with Him forever in Heaven.”

Qin graciously acted as tour guide for a large number of Southern Baptist

leaders passing through Penglai who wanted to connect with the community where

Moon served.

Wanda S. Lee, executive director-treasurer of Woman’s Missionary Union, visited

the church during a 1997 China tour. In spite of numerous church

responsibilities, Qin and his wife welcomed the group warmly, Lee said, and it

was obvious they were well-loved and respected.

“We are deeply grieved at the news of (the) death” of Qin and his wife, Lee

said. “It is a great loss to the Christian community.”

Candace McIntosh, executive director of Alabama WMU, took seven college

students to China in 2008 to experience firsthand the history and work of

Southern Baptists. Penglai Christian Church was a stop on the tour.

McIntosh remembers admiring Qin’s humble and quiet strength as he prepared for

worship, as well as his ability to state the message clearly for all to

understand. After the service, Qin spent a great deal of time talking with the

team of young women about Moon’s legacy.

“He was so encouraged that younger women were there, learning about the history

of Lottie Moon and the Chinese church,” McIntosh recalled. “I know the legacy

of Lottie Moon will live on, but one of its greatest communicators is no longer

with us. I know Qin’s legacy will live on, too.”