Celebrating the First Re-opened Church

CHINA

Subject:CCV: Celebrating the First Re-opened Church

ChinaSource: A window into Christianity in China and the key issues that impact the church
Celebrating the First Re-opened Church
By ChinaSource Team on Apr 16, 2019 12:00 am

South China Morning Post

In the spring of 1979, Ningbo Centennial Church became the first church in China to reopen its doors after the Cultural Revolution. This article from China Christian Daily highlights a celebration for the church, as well as the current ministry initiatives underway at the historic church.

On Monday [April 8, 2019], the 40th anniversary
of the restoration of Ningbo Centennial Church service was held.

First Chinese Church Reopened After Cultural Revolution Marks Its 40th Anniversary

The date April 8, called “Resurrection Day” at Ningbo Centennial Church, was marked as the first reopening of the church after the Cultural Revolution.

On Monday, the Ningbo Christian Council and Three-Self Patriotic Movement (CCC and TSPM) held a series of activities to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the restoration of the church.

The participants included top CCC and TSPM leaders such as Rev. Wu Wei, president of the national CCC and Rev. Shan Weixiang, vice-president and general secretary of the CCC, as well as UBS China Partnership Director Mr. Kua Wee Seng.

During the anniversary service, Rev. Zhu Enshuo, who had served in the church for 12 years and lives in Macau, preached that forty years ago unimaginable difficulties struck the church—it was shut down, Bibles were burned, and believers were scattered. The congregation resembled dry bones and lost hope, like the Israelites.

However, God had made the church alive again and the Chinese church encountered a great revival, he added. The situation was beyond the thoughts of the believers at the time. When the prophet Ezekiel was prophesying as he was commanded, the bones came together, bone to bone, tendons and flesh appeared on them, and skin covered them. Rev. Zhu urged the congregation to unite with each other and develop different kinds of ministries.

Nonetheless, the most important thing was the breath from Jehovah—in other words, the coming of the Holy Spirit. Then the church could become a vast army. The pastor encouraged believers to obtain the promised land and share the gospel with more people.

In addition, 39 local workers were ordained and received certificates.

Rev. Gao Jianwei, chairman of the Ningbo TSPM, shared that the church had opened nursing homes and been active in blood donation on Easter and active in its visitation ministry since its reopening.

Rev. Pan Xingwang, chairman of the Jiangsu TSPM, stated that the church should proclaim the message of faith in a society where many people suffer from psychological problems. The church should also make contributions to society and the state, as well as handle relationships with non-Christians, other religions, within the church, and with the government.

Having the theme, “40 Years of the Pillars of Cloud and Fire,” the activities also included a theological seminar entitled, “Spiritual Tradition and Sinicization of Christianity,” followed by an evening service of thanksgiving. A two-day retreat was held on April 6 and 7.

Original Article: ”First Chinese Church Reopened After Cultural Revolution Marks Its 40th Anniversary” by China Christian Daily
Edited and reposted with permission.