Chinese martyr Nee is linked to Norwich church
 The spiritual roots of world-famous Chinese Christian leader, author and martyr, Watchman Nee, can be traced back to a Norwich church, and the connection recently led a coach-load of Chinese believers turning up on the doorstep.
The Chinese visitors, led by a Professor Chen, turned up at Surrey Chapel in Norwich on a Maranatha Tour in search of the background to city missionary Margaret Barber, sent out from Surrey Chapel exactly 100 years ago.
In 1909, Margaret left Surrey Chapel to return to China as an independent missionary supported by the church and met an 18-year-old Christian, Watchman Nee, whom she personally tutored in the Word of God. Watchman Nee went on to became one of the most influential Christian leaders in the history of the Chinese church.
The story for Surrey Chapel began when they received a request to host a visit by a group of Chinese believers keen to visit their really rather unremarkable church building. Not understanding why, the Chapel politely turned down the request, but were informed that the coach would be turning up anyway, so keen were the visitors.
They relented and decided to open the doors to what turned out to be a wonderful and encouraging experience, according to chapel elder, Derek Haylock, who takes up the story:
"I told them a little of the history of the Chapel, showing them the plaques for the first two pastors, Robert Govett and D.M. Panton, that had been brought from the original Surrey Chapel in Surrey Street. They were given copies of 150 Years at Surrey Chapel written by Rosamunde Codling (2004).
"I explained why the church had moved from its original building in Chapel Loke off Surrey Street (now the site of John Lewis car park). But, in fact, they seemed to know the history already because it was all written and illustrated in their study guides!
"They were particularly keen to see some of Govett's and Panton's books in the Govett Room and to take photographs of everything. In the main Chapel upstairs, as they sat excitedly on the old Surrey Chapel wooden chairs, Professor Chen reminded them of why they were there. The story was inspiring.
"D.M. Panton became Pastor of Surrey Chapel in 1901. A lady missionary called Margaret Barber (1866-1930), who had returned to England from service in China, left the Church of England and joined the Chapel around 1907. There were some suggestions of a possible romance between Panton and Barber, but in the end the call to return to China for Margaret Barber was stronger.
"It was a period of missionary fervour in the Chapel, when, during the years 1906 to 1917, as many as nine individuals went to serve in China. Margaret Barber went back to China as an independent missionary, sent and supported by Surrey Chapel in 1909.
"So 2009 is the centenary of her sending to China by Surrey Chapel and for the Chinese visitors, a most significant event in their own history. In China, Margaret Barber met an 18-year-old Christian man, Watchman Nee. She personally tutored him in God's Word, directed his study and encouraged him in his spiritual development. Watchman Nee became one of the most influential Christian leaders in the history of the Chinese church - and the visitors to Surrey Chapel in 2009 were all from churches whose roots are in Nee's ministry.
"This is why they were so excited to be visiting Surrey Chapel in Norwich. As they saw it, in the sovereign purposes of God, they were Christian believers today because Surrey Chapel had sent Margaret Barber to China one hundred years ago!"
"There in the Chapel, we sang together a hymn written by Margaret Barber and enjoyed a thrilling time of prayer and thanksgiving. More photographs and numerous handshakes and hugs and then they returned to their coach – on their way to visit the John Lewis car park," said Derek.
"Jesus said, 'The Kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. Though it is the smallest of your seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree …' (Matthew 13.31-32)." www.watchmannee.org
Pictured is Derek Haylock showing the Chinese visitors around Surrey Chapel.
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