On Sep.5-7, 2016, East China Theological Seminary held the opening ceremony of a new semester and several activities with 170 teachers and students in attendance.
The execution vice-president pastor Xu Yulan encouraged students to study hard, meditate and make up their mind to serve Jesus as well as equip themselves, shape their characters and live out the image of Christ in the new semester. Director Jiang Bin encouraged students to study hard and practice more.
During the opening ceemony held from Sep.5-7, the vice-president of Zhejiang seminary pastor Lou Shibo was invited as the chief leader to preach. Pastor Lou Shibo shared the spirit-training encouraging message under the themes---"Spirit prospers", "One heart with the Lord" and "Walk with the Lord".
On the afternoon of Sep.6, the seminary held a dedication ceremony for the new students. Pastor Xu Yulan asked the student, "Do you want to accept your mission from the Lord?" If the student answered yes, the pastor would put a white silk belt on the student's shoulder, and then the whole school will sang Give Your Best to the Lord: "Give your best to the Lord, dedicate your whole youth. Give your pure and passionate heart and fight for truth faithfully..."Their eyes were filled with tears during the ceremony.
During Sep. 5-7, the prayer meeting, the communication meeting, the communion service were held along with the pastoral, educational and administrative reports and class meeting, etc. After the opening ceremony, the new students had a 3-days military training. Through several activities, the teachers and students adjusted their mental states, preparing for the new term.
