He was born Xi Zizhi in a village near Linfen, became a Confucian scholar, and, after his conversion to Christianity, changed his given name to Shengmo or Conqueror of Demons.

David Hill, an English Methodist missionary, was instrumental in introducing Xi to Christianity.

After his conversion, Pastor Xi fabricated his own medications made of morphia to treat opium addicts, and many sick people were brought to him for healing.

The general pattern was for Western Christians to enter an area, raise up churches and then train local people as pastors and evangelists.

Xi Shengmo took hold of the work with such skill and energy that the missionaries stood aside, to a considerable extent, as he established clinics and churches.