Watchman Nee (Ni To-sheng) (1903 – 1972) was a Chinese church leader and Christian teacher who worked in China during the first half of the 20th century.
He wrote many books and established many churches in China. Following the Communist Revolution, he was persecuted and arrested. He spent his last 20 years in prison, a Chinese labor-camp. They cut his tongue so that he cannot preach and even there, while suffering greatly, he continued to testify of his Redeemer thru writing.

He fell in love with Charity Chang as a teenager. But he became saved and she did not. He prayed for her conversion and then left her in the hands of God. He chose to wait. Ten years later, Charity became saved too. They got married but did not have children. When he was in prison, Charity was the only one allowed to go and visit him. She took care of him until she died. He died an year later.
He got converted at the age of 17. This is his testimony:
“On the evening of April 29, 1920, I was alone in my room. I had no peace of mind. Whether I sat or reclined, I could find no rest, for within was this problem of whether or not I should believe in the Lord. My first inclination was not to believe in the Lord Jesus and not to be a Christian. A personal note: However, that made me inwardly uneasy. There was a real struggle within me. Then I knelt down to pray. At first I had no words with which to pray. But eventually many sins came before me, and I realized that I was a sinner. I had never had such an experience in my life before that time. I saw myself as a sinner and I also saw the Savior. I saw the filthiness of sin and I also saw the efficacy of the Lord’s precious blood cleansing me and making me white as snow. I saw the Lord’s hands nailed to the cross, and at the same time I saw Him stretching forth His arms to welcome me, saying, “I am here waiting to receive you.” Overwhelmed by such love, I could not possibly reject it, and I decided to accept Him as my Savior. Previously, I had laughed at those who believed in the Lord, but that evening I could not laugh. Instead, I wept and confessed my sins, seeking the Lord’s forgiveness. After making my confession, the burden of sins was discharged, and I felt buoyant and full of inward joy and peace. This was the first time in my life that I knew I was a sinner. I prayed for the first time and had my first experience of joy and peace. There might have been some joy and peace before, but the experience after my salvation was very real. Alone in my room that evening, I saw the light and lost all consciousness of my surroundings. I said to the Lord, “Lord, You have really been gracious to me.”
Watchman Nee is counted as one of the most influential protestant Christians in the twentieth century.
A personal note: whatever it might cost you, buy and read his books. They are all very good, especially ‘The Spiritual Man’, which is a classic!