In 1903, a Christian Chinese couple had a little boy, and they named him Nee Shu-tsu. His grandfather was the first Chinese pastor in the northern Fukien province. Shu-tsu grew up hearing about the Lord and His work.
Shu-tsu was a very smart boy. He was always first in his class. With his academics he could have been anything he wanted to be. But, when his mother was expecting him she promised the Lord that if the baby was a boy she would give him to the Lord. Shu-tsu was reminded of this promise growing up. When he was 17, he gave his life to the Lord and that set him on a course that would impact many lives.
Shu-tsu had a sweetheart named Charity Chang. She ridiculed Christ in front of him, and he knew that to do God's will for his life, he had to give her up.
Shu-tsu adopted the name "Watchman" because that is how he saw himself- a watchman in the night. He didn't attend any special theological seminaries. Instead, he immersed himself in the Bible and other theological books. Through these, Watchman grew in Scriptural principles from some of the most noted Christians throughout the past 2 centuries. He learned to pay attention to God's work in him, rather than to look at what God accomplished through him.
Watchman Nee had two burdens during his ministry. The first was to be an example of Christ and the second was to build local churches. He said, "What the Lord revealed to me was extremely clear: Before long He would raise up local churches in various parts of China. Whenever I closed my eyes, the vision of the birth of local churches appeared."
In 1934, Witness Lee, another Chinese Christian, moved to Shanghai to help Watchman Nee in his ministry. He helped in the Shanghai Gospel Bookroom, which Watchman set up for publication of Christian literature.
Also during this time, Watchman re-encountered Charity Chang. She had since been saved and was now serving Christ. Watchman and Charity were married in 1934 with Witness Lee as his best man.
Throughout his life, Watchman suffered poor health, poverty, imprisonment, and even personal attacks from other believers in Christ. He learned many things about the Christian life, and was always trying to be an example of Christ rather than focusing on how he was mistreated.
During his ministry, Watchman wrote many books, tracts, and hymns. He was even recorded in the 1950's.
He was arrested for his faith, and imprisoned in 1952. Only his wife was allowed to visit him. He died in prison in 1972. Under his pillow they found a paper with this writing- “Christ is the Son of God who died for the redemption of sinners and resurrected after three days. This is the greatest truth in the universe. I die because of my belief in Christ. Watchman Nee.”
By the 1950's around 400 churches had been built in China, along with over 30 local churches in the surrounding countries. Through his suffering, many came to know Christ. Through his example, many saw what a Christian should be like. And through his life and death, God would be magnified!
