Originally known as Zhang Dianju (Chinese: 張殿舉; pinyin: Zhāng Diànjǔ), he was born in Weixian, Shandong Province, and worked as a collector of antiques.
He was first introduced to the True Jesus Church through his relative Zhang Lingsheng, who came and proselytized in his hometown of Weixian.
[1][2] Paul Wei, often considered the founder of the True Jesus Church,[note 1] would likewise travel to Weixian in spring 1919.
Wei ordained Zhang Lingsheng as bishop of Shandong and Zhang Dianju as elder, and all three would travel throughout many provinces of China and draw in over a thousand members, most of whom came from existing independent, Pentecostal, Seventh Day Adventist, or mainline churches.
[3] In a general assembly in 1930, Barnabas Zhang was excommunicated, placing the church under the leadership of Isaac Wei.