In celebration of the annual Double Ninth Festival, the Gospel Times editorial team gathered to reflect on their experiences visiting churches across various regions in recent years. They discussed effective practices that churches have implemented to care for and lead their elderly believers, helping them bear fruit even in old age and “stay fresh and green.”

I met Shuya in his home, and his wife was playing with their three-year-old child. However, there was no air conditioning or even a fan in the house.

Quite a few pastors shared a consensus that prayer is the driving force for the church’s growth; it also tells the prosperity of a church.

"You can feel whether a church is healthy or not if you stay there," said Pastor Wang of a church in City A. "You can get a feeling of happiness here in my church, as it is a place where you can settle down and enjoy being here to worship with communion with each other."

Everyone will face moments of running out of wine. If we turn our hearts and minds to Jesus, we will discover his presence in all things—he is right here. He can turn the embarrassment of "no wine" into the blessing of "fine wine."

In recent years, rural populations have been migrating to cities, leaving mostly elderly people in the countryside. Many rural churches are now facing decline and even closure. In these difficult circumstances, rural churches desperately need external help, and assistance from the municipal CC&TSPM and city churches is one of their few solutions.

Unlike most fellowships affiliated with a single church, East City Youth Fellowship is a collaborative effort among multiple churches to nurture young people together. This innovative and localized approach is specifically designed to meet the realities of the local community.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, churches have underwent organizational fission, shifting to small groups (including family support groups) simulating the early church, from the past model that all believers worship inside the sanctuary together.

A house church in a southern city has explored small group structure to "ease" burdens for group leaders.

Sermon is usually the most crucial part of Sunday services in Protestant churches, as it provides believers with spiritual nourishment. Therefore, delivering a well-prepared Sunday sermon is a key aspect of pastoral work.

Although churches have been reopened in the post-pandemic era, grassroots churches are confronted with refinement needs for visitation ministry.

The two churches introduced in this article have indeed brought some new vitality to their congregations through their group ministries, although they are still immature.

Different churches target different groups of people. The article shares the positive explorations of four churches in serving believers or attracting newcomers.

During the recent Holy Week and Easter in 2024, after visiting churches in some provinces, editors of the Gospel Times shared similarities and differences in the activities they observed.

From southeastern coastal cities to the northeast and even to the dry northwest regions, different mission teams and individuals are engaging in prayer walking. Grace is one of them who have witness God's work during the walks.

Understanding both the registered and unregistered aspects of the church in China provides a more comprehensive picture of the dynamic interplay within the Christian sphere, shedding light on the various challenges and opportunities that each sector encounters.

During the joyous celebration of the Chinese New Year and the return to their hometowns, the editorial team of the Gospel Times had the opportunity to connect with grassroots churches. They discussed the changes observed in hometown churches during the grand festival.

Under the pretext of arranging a marriage for my aunt's child, a cult member pulled my aunt into it. Over just three days, a group of people staged a performance in front of my aunt, convincing her that Christ had truly returned and was standing right in front of her.