According to Christian Aid Mission, one of the most significant leaders in the history of Christianity in China has died of cancer at the age of 76. Dr. Sun Yi-yin, known in America as Freddie Sun, organized and helped with the operation of 154 Bible institutes and missionary training centers inside China during a 20-year period from 1992 to 2012. More than 60,000 graduates of these schools, serving as native missionaries, have planted more churches in China and led more people to Christ than did all the foreign missionaries combined who served in China between 1807 and 1949. Dr. Sun said his his preparation for missionary service began during 10 years of forced labor in Communist prisons, during which he never lost his faith but instead increased his devotion to Christ. Before his imprisonment, Dr. Sun had served as a university professor and was involved with house churches in Shanghai started by Watchman Nee. Dr. Bob Finley, founder and chairman of Christian Aid, said: "I believe history will show that Freddie Sun's work ... during the past 20 years has a greater impact for the cause of Christ in that Communist country than that of any other single person or ministry. When I left China in 1949 we estimated that there were less than half a million evangelical Christians in the entire country. Today there are more than 100 million. Most have been won to Christ by native missionaries working with local house churches throughout the country. And by far the greatest source for these native missionaries has been the 154 Bible institutes started and financially supported by Freddie and Dorothy Sun since 1992."
