Su Xueling (pronounced ZOO-ling) is a different breed of entrepreneur, delivering instant noodles on her bicycle to satisfy fast-food appetites in central China. She wanted to use her business acumen to spread the gospel message in a land where religion has been controlled or suppressed by the government for decades.

Ms. Su's father is a communist revolution veteran, and religion has always been considered a leading threat to Communist rule. A Christian revival of sorts had already begun to sweep through China's peasantry when Ms. Su's life hit rock bottom.

Until she was thirty something, Su had never even heard of Jesus. Her husband, after months of suffering, died of brain cancer, leaving her with young sons to raise and astronomical medical bills to pay. She had sought peace of mind t…