China’s Billy Graham

Abstract

This article explores the role of (im)mobility in shaping the ministry of Reverend Timothy Dzao (1908–73), one of the widely recognized revivalist-evangelists in twentieth-century Chinese Christianity. It offers a narrative-led account of Dzao’s life and ministry while drawing on migration studies to illuminate how Dzao navigated war, displacement, and political upheaval to sustain ministry, innovate institutions, and foster regional and global evangelistic growth. Known as the founder of the Ling Liang World-Wide Evangelistic Mission Association and “China’s Billy Graham,” Dzao’s case illustrates how voluntary migration and involuntary immobility enabled Chinese Christian leaders to transform crises into opportunities. His life highlights the interplay of structural constraints and personal agency in adapting to systemic upheavals, contributing to the integration of Chinese Christianity into global networks.