China Partnership Update July 2024

In December 2023, Christians in China held the Eleventh Annual National Chinese Christian Conference, where they elected the new slate of executive leaders to the national China Christian Council and Three-Self Patriotic Movement of Protestant Churches in China (CCC&TSPM). The Outreach Foundation’s Executive Director, Rev. Dr. Mark Mueller, sent a congratulatory letter on behalf of the Board of Trustees and staff of The Outreach Foundation, where he reiterated our commitment to working closely with the church in China for years to come.

These Chinese leaders are passionately committed to serving and building up the ministries of the local churches in collaboration with the local and provincial CCC&TSPM leaders. Working tirelessly, these leaders have a busy agenda of work meetings, church visits, field research trips, celebrations, ceremonies, and conferences. While many people wonder how the worsening religious-political environment and the post-COVID control measures have hit the Christian communities in China, when asked, their attitude is, “We have a lot of work to do, and let’s just do it!” It is heartwarming and uplifting to see that our Chinese brothers and sisters are fixing their eyes upon God’s sovereign goodness and their blessed labor before Him. Their joyful and resilient faith is truly amazing!

Three key areas stand out in CCC&TSPM’s agenda: strengthening the biblical interpretation and instruction of teachers and preachers, promoting the younger generation to leadership positions, and expanding the work of international exchange and cooperation. In the congratulatory letter, Mark also extended an invitation to the CCC&TSPM for a visit to the United States this year. It was readily accepted. This Labor Day weekend, The Outreach Foundation will host a delegation of Chinese church leaders and hold a symposium in Charlotte, NC. Church ministers and mission leaders are invited to meet and engage our Chinese guests. We look forward to being updated on the current state of the church in China and exploring further how we can expand our partnerships. We invite you to join us this August, in Charlotte!

Chris Bin Wang, our China Mission Specialist, is continuing his exciting internet-based ministry to promote Christian faith, providing quality discipleship material among the younger generation in China. Since mid-April, in partnership with the Chinese Program of Oxford Center of Religion and Public Life (OCRPL), Chris has been teaching an online course titled "A Christian Introduction to World Religions.” to a group of 50+ young lay leaders in China. This course is intended to equip his Chinese fellows for their mission of evangelizing for Christ in a multi-cultural, multi-religious world. One may note that China itself is not monolithic or homogeneous, but a multi-ethnic, multi-linguistic country with more than 50 diverse people groups. Many of these groups are Buddhists, Muslims, or practitioners of an indigenous religious tradition.

The stories of our Chinese partners and friends remind us of Paul’s exhortation to Philippians, “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near……” (Phil. 4.4-5). They trust in the Lord and serve Him joyfully. Besides welcoming a Chinese delegation here in August, The Outreach Foundation will also lead a trip to China in October. Together with our kindred in China, let us rejoice in our labor for the Lord because The One who began a good work among us will bring it to completion. Amen.

-Chris Bin Wang, China Mission Specialist

If you would like to learn more about our China Partnership, visit their partner page here.

THE OPPORTUNITY

The Outreach Foundation seeks prayers and gifts for our China Partnership. All gifts of any size are welcomed! If you want to join this incredible ministry's growing network of supporters, please send funds to The Outreach Foundation, designated “China Partnership.” Send a gift via mail or click the link below to give online.