The 13th lecture of the series of studies, "Learning Regulations From Church History," commenced at a church in Guangdong Province.
According to the organizer, Guangzhou CC&TSPM, on January 23, the 13th course, titled “Serve in Unity in the Post-denominational Era,” took place at the new venue of the Zengcheng Church with over 70 pastoral staff from the municipal CC&TSPM in attendance.
During the course, Rev. Xie Muyue, senior pastor of the Zengcheng Church, presented the church’s ministries in unity in the post-denominational period with a review of the church’s history. Corresponding to the lecture's theme, Minister Gu Yiling also delivered a devotional sermon on “Unity in Christ."
It is learned that spanning a history of 137 years, the Zengcheng Church originated in 1887, when the Swedish Evangelical Free Church of America (now the Evangelical Free Church of America) established the Evangelical Free Church in Guangdong, focusing on education, social charity, and evangelism. In 1919, the Zengcheng Gaogui Church was founded, conducting prison evangelism ministry due to its closeness to the prison. The church was renamed the Evangelical Free Church of China in 1931, along with the establishment of six churches, including Gaogui Church and Xiewei Church. Meanwhile, the Anglican church founded the Xiancun St. John Church, St. Andrew Church, and other four churches. The Assemblies of God set up the Paitan Church, while the Rhenish Missionary Society established the Xintang Church.
Following Rev. Xie’s introduction to the history of Zengcheng Church, Rev. Hu Yuchang shared a keynote speech on “Mission View and Serving in Unity” based on "Guangzhou Christian Rules and Regulations."
Following the implementation of the national religious policy in 1979, Zengcheng Church reopened on August 8, 1983, promoting the "connecting unauthorized meeting points with an official church" mission.
- Translated by Poppy Chan
