Watchman Nee

Watchman Nee (Nee Shu-Tsu) was born in Foochow, China, in 1903 to Methodist parents and was baptized as a child. At age 17, he converted to Christianity after hearing evangelist Dora Yu preach. This moment marked the beginning of Nee’s lifelong dedication to Christ and the Gospel. His testimony inspired many of his classmates to convert, and he devoted himself to ministry and preaching. Under the mentorship of British missionary Margaret Barber, Nee developed a deep knowledge of the Bible and Christian literature, reading over 3,000 theological books. He valued the “inner-life” of believers, emphasizing the divine life over outward works, and taught that denominations caused division within the Body of Christ.

In 1928, Nee settled in Shanghai, where he based his speaking and publication work. Through the Shanghai Gospel Bookroom, Nee published Christian books and Chinese translations of influential works by authors such as T. Austin-Sparks, Robert Govett, and Jessie Penn-Lewis. Nee’s most famous book, The Normal Christian Life, is a classic that explains Christian living based on the book of Romans. His teachings focused on living by God’s life, not relying on personal effort, and maintaining unity in the Church.

Nee’s ministry extended across China and other parts of Asia, establishing over 700 local churches by 1949. His belief in “one church for one city” rejected divisions based on race, social status, or doctrine, promoting unity among believers. During the Chinese Civil War, these churches became the foundation for house churches. Nee’s influence extended to co-workers such as Witness Lee, who later spread the local church movement globally.

In 1952, Nee was imprisoned by the Chinese Communist government for his faith and leadership in the local church movement. He remained in prison for 20 years, enduring harsh treatment and isolation. During his imprisonment, Nee continued to write and share his faith, though only his wife was allowed to visit him. He died on May 30, 1972. A scrap of paper found by his bed after his death declared, “Christ is the Son of God Who died for the redemption of sinners and was resurrected after three days. This is the greatest truth in the universe. I die because of my belief in Christ.”

Watchman Nee’s writings, including books, articles, and hymnals, continue to inspire Christians worldwide. His views on unity, Christian living, and the return of Christ have left a lasting legacy. Despite opposition and persecution, Nee’s ministry grew, with over 400 churches established during his lifetime and over 2,300 local churches worldwide today, largely due to his teachings and the continued work of Witness Lee.

Watchman Nee remains a spiritual giant, known for his unwavering faith, commitment to Christ, and the profound theological insights he shared through his ministry and writings.