Yan Ronghui, a 27-year-old Chinese woman, introduces herself as "Lily" to a group of American Presbyterians visiting her country. We are wilting in Hangzhou's humid heat. Dressed in pastels, she looks as fresh and delicate as a spring flower. But beneath the petal-soft exterior, this young woman possesses a steely inner strength that can only come from faith.

Seminary graduate Yan Ronghui ("Lily")

Lily graduated from Zhejiang Theological Seminary in Hangzhou three years ago. Now she teaches classes and works in the seminary library. A little over a year ago she married the pastor of a church about 200 kilometers from the seminary. He lives at the church, serving as caretaker as well as preacher. Lily shares a room with another woman at the seminary. She and her husband see each other only twice a month.

Now Lily has been offered a scholarship at a theological school in New York City. She notes wistfully that this will mean an even longer separation (two years) from her new husband. But she feels God calling her to go. China has such a shortage of church leaders and teachers with theological training. "With God's help," she says, "we can do it."