Br. Lihong Li / Zhejiang China

Brother Andrew’s Shepherding in Love

(A letter to Sister Marilyn)

Dear Sister Marilyn in the Lord:

May the Lord bring peace to you and your children!

In the afternoon of the 19 th of Dec. 2020, I received a text from Br. Gilbert Chang informing

that “Br. Yu was transferred out of the ICU. Thank the Lord!” We were all very happy to hear

that, and praised the Lord for His grace, and continued our prayer. It is indeed a great miracle

that, in the past fifteen years, despite his physical illness, Br. Andrew had received the burden

from the Lord, and had worked hard consistently in his full capacity. On the one hand, our

brother’s labor in love is due to the Lord`s resurrection power and the saints’ prayers; on the

other hand, it is because of your love and tireless care for our dear brother. Hence, we, the

saints in Mainland China, wish to extend our deepest gratitude to you. May the Lord honor

you and bless you abundantly!

Yet, it is beyond my conception that the news of “Br. Andrew’s passing away” arrived two

days later from brother Gilbert! Having been thankful and joyful for his improved condition, I

cannot accept the fact. Although I know that we will meet again in glory in the future, I still

cannot let go my downcast for my brother’s parting. Many saints in mainland China have

been supplied with the life supply by Br. Yu, especially the brothers and sisters in his

hometown, Zhe Jiang. The saints in this area have long been touched by Br. Yu`s love

towards God, men, the country and his hometown. In spite of my great sorrow, I can only

tearfully submit myself in the Lord`s sovereign hands. May the Lord be the real comfort for

you and your children, and keep you every day until your reunion with him on that day. (1

Thessalonians 4:16-18).

These days, as I reflect on the shepherding that I have received from Br. Yu in the past fifteen

years, many memories flashed through my mind one after another……

Since the beginning of the new millennium, the Lord has led the brothers across mainland

China to contact and communicate with the government officials for His interest. And

remarkable progress has been made. Br. Yu, Br. Paul Wu and others were very happy for this

achievement. In the beginning of 2005, Br. Yu and Br. Wu, and the Living Stream Ministry

invited ten brothers who served locally in mainland China to visit the US. However, after

many twists and turns in the process of visa application, some brothers were worn out and

gave up. In May of the same year, invited by Br. Yu in recuperation, my wife and I, together

with Br. Zhongming Hu and Br. Sihong Yan met you two for the first time at the apartment

building in HKUST. I remember that you came specially to care for Br. Yu`s recovery from

an operation. Br. Yu was very happy to see us, and received us cordially by saying that “we

have already met in prayers”. He also called Br. Ronnie Chan who happened to be on a

business trip abroad, and notified him of our visit. That day we talked with Br. Ronnie over

the phone for the first time, and we were very joyful. During our one-week visit, despite of

his illness, Br. Yu received us warmly. He had several fellowship meetings with us, leaving

us greatly nourished, inspired and shepherded. We were especially touched by his spiritual

journey in writing “Returning to the Lord Himself”. Lately, I was on a phone call with Br.

Sihong Yan, who recalled his deep respect to Br. Yu from that trip. Indeed, Br. Yu’s care and

love for us brings life-long nourishment for those who serve the Lord. The hymns produced

from his life experience manifested not only high literary attainments, but also deep

experiences with the Lord.

In June 2005, under constant encouragement from Br. Yu, Br. Zhang and I were granted visa

for the visit to the US. After landing at the Los Angeles airport, we were directly led to see

Br. Yu by Br. Abraham Ho. Thanks to the warm welcome by the brothers, we felt very much

shepherded and refreshed from the exhaustion of the travel. After hearing of the considerate

schedule that the brothers made for our visit, and the arrangement of reception at the homes of

Br. Benjamin Shen and Br. Jerry Chi in Cerritos, we again felt shepherded. In our subsequent

visits and blending trips, we also enjoyed warm welcome, generous hospitality and help. I

thank and praise the Lord for it!

The next day after our arrival, Br. Minoru Chen invited us for a love feast, and visited “Bible

for America” office. On the third day, Br. Chang drove us to the Ocean park. On the way, he

dropped by your house to help Andrew repair the computer. I was once again shepherded

when I witnessed your home and old computer that he was reluctant to replace. We happened

to come across Br. Minoru that day, when he came to visit Br. Yu. On the way out, we took a

precious group photo.

On the first Lord’ s day during our visit, Br. Yu and other co-workers from Living Stream

Ministry, took some time to fellowship with us. After that, we met Br. Yu several times on

different occasions. Although it was very short every time, we have been thoroughly

nourished and shepherded. We witnessed his mature life as a result of his life-long pursuit of

the Lord, in-depth understanding of the truth, solid constitution of life, and his rich

experience.

I still remember when I was entering the United States customs, I was a little nervous as I do

not speak English. I only prayed. The customs officer didn’t ask me any question and granted

me a 3-month visa. Br. Zhang, who went with me on this visit to the US, only received a 1-

month visa, and had to leave before his one-month visa expired. Thanks to the Lord’s mercy,

I was able to stay longer. Thence, Br. Yu arranged for me to attend a one-week Students and

Scholars’ gospel seminar in early August that year. On that same day, Br. Jerry Chi helped me

change my flight ticket and later bought some dumplings to visit Br. Yu with me. Br. Yu was

very happy to see us, he insisted to cook for us despite his weak physical condition. Seeing

him chopping the garlic while cooking the dumplings, my eyes were wet. This was his

shepherding to us.

Dear sister Marilyn:

I am very thankful for you and Br. Yu who accompanied Mrs. Gretchen Passantino-Coburn

(Co-founder and Director of Answers in Action) in her visit to Shanghai. On that day, she

apologized for their previous erroneous condemnation of the local churches and the damage it

had caused. We thank and praise the Lord, knowing that all work together for good, as it is

God’s arrangement according to His good will. After hearing our experiences of

imprisonment and persecution because of our faith and due to the misrepresentation of us in

their publication, Mrs Gretchen was moved to tears. Later, Br. Yu also accompanied Mr.

Hank Hanegraaffe, Dean of the Christian Research Institute (CRI), to visit us several times.

Mr Hanegraaffe embraced me and apologized in tears while visiting the West Lake in Hang

Zhou since he began to understand the painful damages they have caused us when they hastily

accused and condemned the local churches before full understanding of us. I was deeply

moved. Brother Yu also asked me to write some banners in Chinese calligraphy with the

words “Die to self and live to the Lord”, “No self”, “Love God”.

In September 2008, at the Autumn Conference in Kuching Malaysia, Br. Yu joyfully told me

that after Mr. Hank`s meeting with us, he and CRI published a journal titled “We Were

Wrong”, as a special edition. This was the result of the labor of Br. Yu and the co-workers,

who spent years labouring in communicating and expounding the truth. May the Lord

remember our brothers.

In August 2013, Br. Yu visited Hong Kong in spite of his illness, and attended the

International Anti-Cult Seminar at the Hong Kong Baptist University. He proposed for me to

be the first to present in the seminar. I made a speech titled “Guarding the Truths in the Bible,

Resisting Heretic Cults, and Benefitting the Human Society”, based on my own experiences

of holding fast to the truth and fighting against the cults. I exposed the evil nature of the cult

named the “Eastern Lightening” and reminded the oversea churches to be watchful. This

seminar contributed to the resistance of the infiltration of the people from “Eastern

Lightening” into the church life.

After knowing Br. Yu for so many years, what impressed me the most is his perseverance

with the controlling vision of God’s economy. He poured out all that he was and all that he

had for this New Testament ministry, of which he firmly believed. In the final 15 years of his

life, he was utterly spent with no regrets in editing the classical works of this ministry and

promoting the riches of this ministry. His life and all of his service was to build up the Body

of Christ, for which he completely invested his five talents and special gifts. For the Body of

Christ, he willingly sacrificed everything and became the fragrant offering. His capacity in the

Lord was big enough to accommodate many difficult situation, and coordinate with many

brothers. His vision was so high that he set a pattern for us; but he was also extremely

humble. He meticulously cared for the sense of the Body.

More than ten years ago, a zealous Chinese brother in Australia wrote a collection of

testimonies of the saints in the local churches in mainland China, and presented it to Br. Yu.

Br. Yu was very serious about it and carefully read it multiple times. He also made a

photocopy of it for me, and specially wrote a letter to me asking us to reply to the brother in

Australia after reading his book. Having read the book, we felt that some of the statements

were not accurate due to cultural differences between the east and the west. We felt that the

testimonies must be truthful. At that time, our view was that we should not publish these as

historical materials since many people referred to in these testimonies were still alive. They

are not suitable for publication as a book. Five of us wrote back to Br. Yu and signed the

letter. Br. Yu fully respected our feelings and has not published the book up to now. At that

time, many saints overseas were expecting to read the book, some in mainland China had

already circulated it privately. But Br. Yu received the fellowship of the brothers from

mainland China and calmed the situation. I was very touched by this. He was indeed a pattern

of caring for the sense of the Body.

Every time I met with Br. Yu, I could sense his care and concern for the members of the

Body. He was genuinely happy for China’s development and the improvement in people’s

living. He was thankful for the love and faith of brothers and sisters in China, while he was

concerned for some members whose knowledge of the truth was superficial and their lives

were immature. He persistently petitioned for the latter and gave his very best to fellowship

with them and help them. Particularly at one locality, several groups of saints claimed to be

walking on the same way but could not meet with one another. Br. Yu was deeply concerned

for them. He prayed for them and used every opportunity to exhort the brothers, even in tears,

in spite of his ill health, asking them to deny themselves and come back to oneness for the

building of the Body, just like Paul in Acts Chapter 20. Now our dear Br. Yu is no longer

with us, but his words will surely cause life to operate in these groups of brothers (2 Cor

4:12).

For so many years, as an elder brother to many of us, Br. Yu had taken very good care of us

for our growth and functioning in the Body. It was a joyful every time we meet. He always

hoped that I could visit abroad often, while bringing my companions, Br. Chenwang Lin and

Br. Kongyue Yang. It is deeply regretful that for various reasons we have not made the trip

even until today. However, I will continue to pray according to our brother’s wish. May the

Lord quickly accomplish it according to His will.

Dear Sister Marilyn,

I am deeply grateful to the Lord that He has given us a precious treasure like Br. Yu. I

treasure this pattern that the Lord gave us which is full of abundant riches. Even more, I

treasure Br. Yu’s commission, and consecrated the rest of my time, to follow the path of those

who walked before us, and to press on faithfully with the saints, for the building of the unique

Body of Christ.

May the Lord Himself grace you and your children with His mercy and blessing, until you

meet our beloved Br. Andrew Yu again in glory.

Brother Lihong Li in Zhejiang, China

Jan 15, 2021