Timothy Dzao (Zhao Shi-guang; 趙世光; 1908–1973) was born in Shanghai and was named as Zhao Yuan-chang (趙元昌). He was the only child in a family which adhered to folk religion. He was a descendant of the founder of Song Dynasty (AD 960–1279), Emperor Taizu of Song.

In 1921, Dzao’s cousin brought him to Sunday School. He was baptized on Christmas day of 1924 at Moore Memorial Church in Shanghai by Dr. John Hawk of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South (Southern Methodist Church). In 1925, he experienced a spiritual rebirth at a revival led by an English missionary Rev. Paget Wilkes. He …