Mainland China

A delegation of leaders from the World Evangelical Alliance visited one of the fastest growing churches in China Tuesday as it continued its historic weeklong tour through the country.

Since Monday, the delegation of 24 WEA representatives has been meeting with leaders of China's official church bodies and government officials in its effort to open a two-way line of communication between the burgeoning Church in China and the worldwide evangelical community.

“Through our conversations, we have understood that they greatly value international partnerships that respect the mission and calling of the national church,” stated Dr. Geoff Tunnicliffe, international director of the WEA. more >>

America will always speak out for the core principles that have served as the nation’s “compass,” President Obama said during his first full day of his visit to China.

During a town hall-style meeting with future Chinese leaders in Shanghai, the president assured the crowd of young people that the United States does not seek to impose any system of government on any other nation.

“[B]ut we also don't believe that the principles that we stand for are unique to our nation,” he continued. “These freedoms of expression and worship, of access to information and political participation, we believe are universal rights. They should be available to all people, including ethnic and religious minorities – whether they are in the United States, China, or any nation.” more >>

A delegation of 24 leaders from the World Evangelical Alliance met with leaders of China’s official church bodies Monday, building upon the relationships formed during the first visit by the alliance’s head, Geoff Tunnicliffe, in 2008.

The delegation, which arrived in Shanghai on Sunday, includes Tunnicliffe, European Evangelical Alliance General Secretary Gordon Showell-Rogers from the United Kingdom, National Association of Evangelicals President Leith Anderson from the United States, and members of the WEA’s governing body – the International Council – among others.

On the first official day of their visit, the WEA delegation was welcomed by local Chinese officials and leaders of the state-approved Three-Self Patriotic Movement and the China Christian Council, the umbrella organization for all registered Protestant churches. Among those present were CCC President Gao Feng, CCC General Secretary Kan Baoping, and Amity Foundation Board Member Bao Jiayuan. more >>

U.S. President Barack Obama arrived in China late Sunday night for a three-day visit to the communist nation that will be his first since taking office.

Obama was greeted by Chinese dignitaries upon his arrival in Shanghai, where he will stay for one day before traveling to Beijing for a two-day state visit hosted by Chinese President Hu Jintao.

The president’s visit is being closely watched by religious freedom advocates who have been urging Obama to raise rights and freedom issues in a country where repression of peaceful religious activity remains intense and widespread. more >>

One of the greatest challenges facing churches in China is training enough pastors to keep up with the booming Christian population, said the president of a Christian organization in China.

The Rev. Gao Feng, president of the government-approved China Christian Council, told the head of the World Council of Churches, the Rev. Dr. Samuel Kobia, that in his home province there is only one trained pastor for 40,000 Christians.

“One of the challenges is that we need to train more pastors,” stated Gao, who at 47 years old is the youngest president in CCC’s history, last Friday. more >>