From August 26 to September 4, a Chinese Christian delegation composed of 18 representatives from the political, religious, and academic sectors visited the United States, led by Rev. Wu Wei, president of the China Christian Council (CCC) and president of Nanjing Union Theological Seminary.
The delegation participated in the China-US Christian Forum (2024), co-organized by CCC&TSPM and the Asia Pacific Forum (APF), which comprises leaders of the Asian departments of mainstream denominations from the United States, Canada, and Australia, reported CCC&TSPM. Following the forum, the delegation visited seminaries, churches, and church organizations in Chicago, Charlotte, and Atlanta.
This visit marks the first official group visit to the U.S. by the China Christian Council and National Committee of the Three-Self Patriotic Movement (CCC&TSPM) since 2016.
Upon arrival in Chicago, they first visited Saint Luke Church of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, the diverse ministries of which feature serving different age groups were learned by the Chinese delegation. In response to questions, the delegation introduced China's policy on religious freedom and the TSPM church’s post-denominational unity, as Chinese churches are walking in unity.
From August 28 to 29, the China-US Christian Forum (2024) themed "Opportunities and Challenges for Christianity in the Post-Pandemic Era," featured keynote speeches and presentations on four sub-themes: education and talent cultivation, social care, research and publishing, and church ministry. Following the forum, the delegation visited seminaries, churches, and church organizations in Chicago, Charlotte, and Atlanta.
After the China-US Christian Forum (2024), the delegation visited the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago, the Lutheran School of Theology in Chicago, and McCormick Theological Seminary. Since 2022, these three seminaries have been engaged in joint school operations, sharing the same building, faculty, courses, library, and other resources.
During their visit to Charlotte, the delegation toured the headquarters of Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA) , the Billy Graham Library, and the Billy Graham Archive and Research Center. At a dinner speech, Rev. Wu Wei reflected on the friendship between the Chinese Church and BGEA, expressing gratitude for their hospitality.
At the China Ministry Forum co-sponsored by the Outreach Foundation of the Presbyterian Church in the USA on August 31, the Chinese delegation was joined by over 50 American participants, including Presbyterian pastors, elders, co-workers, and lay leaders who have a deep interest in the church in China. The Chinese delegates shared insights into the ministries of churches in Shanghai, Christian social service in China, theological education, and academic studies on Christianity in China.
After the forum, some Chinese delegates participated in an adult Sunday school lesson at Westminster Presbyterian Church on September 1. Chairperson Pan Xingwang of Zhejiang TSPM, Dr. Zhang Xinyu from Fujian Theological Seminary, and Rev. Yu Yin, a Ph.D. student at Nanjing Union Theological Seminary, shared their experiences of being called, providing an overview of the seminaries where they work and study.
While in Atlanta on September 1 and 2, the delegation met the General Board of Global Ministries of the United Methodist Church (GBGM-UMC) and the Foundation for Theological Education in Asia and the Pacific (FTEAP). Bishop Hee-soo Jung, president of GBGM-UMC, welcomed the delegation online, while Secretary General Roland Fernandes of GBGM-UMC and other staff workers welcomed them in person. Rev. Wu Wei expressed his appreciation to the team for hosting the delegation during the Labor Day holiday. He recounted that in response to the founding of the People's Republic of China, Chinese Christians proposed the "three-self principles" of self-governance, self-support, and self-propagation, saying over 40 years of reform and opening up have brought tremendous changes to China. He emphasized that "Chinese Christians are committed to following the path of sinicizing Christianity, walking alongside the people." Both sides introduced the current state of their church ministries, affirming the importance of ongoing exchanges.
Rev. Dr. David Esterline, chair of FTEAP, also welcomed the delegation, and Rev. Dr. Wati Longchar, executive director of FTEAP, introduced its related ministries. The delegation expressed a desire to continue friendly exchanges and cooperation, while also reminding FTEAP to continue respecting the One China principle.
8月26日至9月4日，以中国基督教协会会长、金陵协和神学院院长吴巍牧师为团长，由政、教、学18位代表组成的中国基督教代表团（以下简称“代表团”）一行前往美国，参加由中国基督教两会与北美亚太论坛（由美国主流宗派以及部分加拿大和澳大利亚主流宗派的亚洲部负责人等组成）联合主办的“中美基督教论坛（2024）”。之后 他们在芝加哥、夏洛特和亚特兰大访问神学院、教会及教会机构。
代表团抵达芝加哥后，首先参访了美国福音信义会圣路加教堂。代表团了解了该教会开展的各个不同年龄层级的事工；也应对方提问，介绍了中国教会后宗派的合一模式（联合中的教会）以及我国宗教信仰自由政策。在中美基督教论坛（2024）之后，代表团参观了天主教神学联盟、芝加哥信义宗神学院与麦考密克神学院。这三所神学院从2022年开始进行联合办学，共用同一栋教学大楼；并且共享师资、课程、图书馆等资源。
在夏洛特的访问中，代表团首先参观了葛培理布道团办公大楼、葛培理纪念馆和葛培理研究中心。吴巍牧师在晚宴致辞中回顾了中国教会与葛培理布道团的友谊，并对葛培理布道团的接待表示感谢。
在“中国基督教事工论坛”之后，代表团部分成员在西敏长老会教会的成人主日学分享。由浙江省三自爱国运动会主席潘兴旺牧师带队，福建神学院的张信宇博士和金陵协和神学院博士生余音牧师分别介绍了他们自己的蒙召经历以及所在工作、学习的神学院概况。
在亚特兰大期间，代表团分别访问了联合卫理公会全球事工部与亚太神学教育基金会。联合卫理公会全球事工部主席郑锡守会督在线上、总干事费南德斯等同工在线下共同欢迎代表团的到来。吴巍牧师向对方在美国劳动节假期中接待代表团表示感谢。他介绍说，新中国成立初期，中国基督教作为回应提出了三自爱国的原则；而四十多年的改革开放，再次给中国带来翻天覆地的变化。他提到，“中国基督教提出坚持基督教中国化方向，是要与人民同向同行。”之后，双方各自介绍了所在教会与机构的事工近况，表明了彼此之间交往的重要性。
亚太神学教育基金会主席大卫·埃斯特林也对代表团的来访表示欢迎，总干事瓦提牧师介绍了该基金会的相关事工。代表团表达了愿意继续友好交往与合作的愿望，同时也提醒基金会继续尊重“一个中国”的原则。
中国基督教代表团成功访美
From August 26 to September 4, a Chinese Christian delegation composed of 18 representatives from the political, religious, and academic sectors visited the United States, led by Rev. Wu Wei, president of the China Christian Council (CCC) and president of Nanjing Union Theological Seminary.
The delegation participated in the China-US Christian Forum (2024), co-organized by CCC&TSPM and the Asia Pacific Forum (APF), which comprises leaders of the Asian departments of mainstream denominations from the United States, Canada, and Australia, reported CCC&TSPM. Following the forum, the delegation visited seminaries, churches, and church organizations in Chicago, Charlotte, and Atlanta.
This visit marks the first official group visit to the U.S. by the China Christian Council and National Committee of the Three-Self Patriotic Movement (CCC&TSPM) since 2016.
Upon arrival in Chicago, they first visited Saint Luke Church of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, the diverse ministries of which feature serving different age groups were learned by the Chinese delegation. In response to questions, the delegation introduced China's policy on religious freedom and the TSPM church’s post-denominational unity, as Chinese churches are walking in unity.
From August 28 to 29, the China-US Christian Forum (2024) themed "Opportunities and Challenges for Christianity in the Post-Pandemic Era," featured keynote speeches and presentations on four sub-themes: education and talent cultivation, social care, research and publishing, and church ministry. Following the forum, the delegation visited seminaries, churches, and church organizations in Chicago, Charlotte, and Atlanta.
After the China-US Christian Forum (2024), the delegation visited the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago, the Lutheran School of Theology in Chicago, and McCormick Theological Seminary. Since 2022, these three seminaries have been engaged in joint school operations, sharing the same building, faculty, courses, library, and other resources.
During their visit to Charlotte, the delegation toured the headquarters of Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA) , the Billy Graham Library, and the Billy Graham Archive and Research Center. At a dinner speech, Rev. Wu Wei reflected on the friendship between the Chinese Church and BGEA, expressing gratitude for their hospitality.
At the China Ministry Forum co-sponsored by the Outreach Foundation of the Presbyterian Church in the USA on August 31, the Chinese delegation was joined by over 50 American participants, including Presbyterian pastors, elders, co-workers, and lay leaders who have a deep interest in the church in China. The Chinese delegates shared insights into the ministries of churches in Shanghai, Christian social service in China, theological education, and academic studies on Christianity in China.
After the forum, some Chinese delegates participated in an adult Sunday school lesson at Westminster Presbyterian Church on September 1. Chairperson Pan Xingwang of Zhejiang TSPM, Dr. Zhang Xinyu from Fujian Theological Seminary, and Rev. Yu Yin, a Ph.D. student at Nanjing Union Theological Seminary, shared their experiences of being called, providing an overview of the seminaries where they work and study.
While in Atlanta on September 1 and 2, the delegation met the General Board of Global Ministries of the United Methodist Church (GBGM-UMC) and the Foundation for Theological Education in Asia and the Pacific (FTEAP). Bishop Hee-soo Jung, president of GBGM-UMC, welcomed the delegation online, while Secretary General Roland Fernandes of GBGM-UMC and other staff workers welcomed them in person. Rev. Wu Wei expressed his appreciation to the team for hosting the delegation during the Labor Day holiday. He recounted that in response to the founding of the People's Republic of China, Chinese Christians proposed the "three-self principles" of self-governance, self-support, and self-propagation, saying over 40 years of reform and opening up have brought tremendous changes to China. He emphasized that "Chinese Christians are committed to following the path of sinicizing Christianity, walking alongside the people." Both sides introduced the current state of their church ministries, affirming the importance of ongoing exchanges.
Rev. Dr. David Esterline, chair of FTEAP, also welcomed the delegation, and Rev. Dr. Wati Longchar, executive director of FTEAP, introduced its related ministries. The delegation expressed a desire to continue friendly exchanges and cooperation, while also reminding FTEAP to continue respecting the One China principle.
Visit of Registered Church Leaders to the U.S.
