The Lord Jehovah says, “But my servant Caleb, because he had another spirit with him, and hath followed me fully, him will I bring into the land where into he went; and his seed shall possess it.” Numbers 14:24) Caleb followed the Lord completely and his loyalty pleased the Lord. There is a “university“ amed after Caleb in the church on Fengshou Lu in Dalian City, China's northeastern Liaoning Province.
This is a Christian fellowship mainly for middle-aged and elderly brothers and sisters, founded in 2012 by Rev. Zhao Yonggang, who is the Chairman of the Dalian Three-Self Patriotic Movement Committee.
Friday, September 11th, 2020, was the day designated by ”Caleb University“to read the Bible and praise the Lord.
I attended the assembly. The reasons why I admire the ministry are because it has many activites and attracts a large number of people. According to reports, there are more than 1,000 people. In the annual session of the National People's Congress and the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference in Dalian City and important Christian assemblies, the well-know choir performance is very popular.
Over the past eight years, the team has continued to grow. The co-workers there are divided into groups. To make it convenient for the elderly to the gatherings and activities, the church arranges a pick-up service. The author talked with two older sisters. One of them is 84 years old; she has believed in the Lord for more than 40 years; the other is 82 years old and she has been a Christian for more than 30 years. They are devoted fans. They have been in the fellowship since the establishment of the "university." They said: we are so happy here. Pastor Zhao and the co-workers care about us and we feel the warmth and love of home.
The assembly day for "Caleb University" is scheduled for every Friday. In the main church, the brothers and sisters are seated as required. Under the leadership of the church staff, everyone recites scriptures and sings hymns. The most refreshing thing for the author is the "exercise time" before the sermon. Everyone stood up in front of a large screen, under the leadership of co-workers, they started doing exercises with Christian songs for their health.
Amid the sacred music and hymn from the choir of Caleb University, Senior Pastor Zhao Yonggang walked onto the podium. He cordially greeted the brothers and sisters and led the congregation in reading I Corinthians 2:15, with the theme of spiritual people as the main sermon. Pastor Zhao preached the gospel of suffering and grace, hard work and ministry. After preaching, some brothers responded to the call and came to the altar, determined to follow the Lord.
- Translated by Yuehan Jiang
上主耶和华说：“惟独我的仆人迦勒，因他另有一个心志，专一跟从我，我就把他领进他所去过的那地；他的后裔也必得那地为业。”（民数记 14:24）迦勒，专一跟从神，忠诚于上帝，得到神的喜悦。大连丰收路教堂就有一个以迦勒命名的“迦勒大学”。 这是由大连市基督教三自爱国运动委员会主席赵永刚主任牧师在2012年倡导并创立、以中老年弟兄姊妹为主的主内活动团契。 2020年9月11日礼拜五，正是迦勒大学读经赞美的时间，笔者参加了我早已慕名的聚会。 我之所以说慕名迦勒大学，是因为迦勒大学在教会的活动比较活跃，人数也众多。据介绍，最多的时候达到1000多人。迦勒大学的诗班可是有口皆碑，在大连两会和教堂的重大聚会或活动中，身着盛装的诗班赞美之声很受欢迎。 八年来，迦勒大学队伍不断壮大。大学把同工们分成小组。为了照顾的老年肢体来聚会和活动，教堂还专门安排有大巴车接送。笔者和两位老姊妹攀谈，她们一位84岁，信主四十多年；一位82岁，信主三十多年，都是迦勒大学的“铁杆儿”，自从大学成立，就在这个团契里。她们说：在这里可开心了，赵牧师和同工都很关心我们，感觉到家的爱的温暖。 丰收堂迦勒大学的聚会日定在每周五。上午七点多，在教会主堂，参加聚会的迦勒大学弟兄姊妹已经按照规定坐满，大家在教会的同工带领下诵读经文、歌诗赞美。最令笔者耳目一新的是在证道之前的“做操时间”：全体起立，在大型屏幕和同工的带领下，大家伴随着基督教歌曲开始做操，以达到健身强体的效果。 在迦勒大学诗班的圣乐和赞美声中，赵永刚主任牧师走上圣台，他亲切的问候了在座的弟兄姊妹，带领会众诵读哥林多前书二章十五节的经文，以属灵的人为主题为主证道。赵牧师传讲了苦难与恩典、勤勉做工和事奉的福音。证道之后，有弟兄响应呼召，来到台前，决志跟随主。
The Lord Jehovah says, “But my servant Caleb, because he had another spirit with him, and hath followed me fully, him will I bring into the land where into he went; and his seed shall possess it.” Numbers 14:24) Caleb followed the Lord completely and his loyalty pleased the Lord. There is a “university“ amed after Caleb in the church on Fengshou Lu in Dalian City, China's northeastern Liaoning Province.
This is a Christian fellowship mainly for middle-aged and elderly brothers and sisters, founded in 2012 by Rev. Zhao Yonggang, who is the Chairman of the Dalian Three-Self Patriotic Movement Committee.
Friday, September 11th, 2020, was the day designated by ”Caleb University“to read the Bible and praise the Lord.
I attended the assembly. The reasons why I admire the ministry are because it has many activites and attracts a large number of people. According to reports, there are more than 1,000 people. In the annual session of the National People's Congress and the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference in Dalian City and important Christian assemblies, the well-know choir performance is very popular.
Over the past eight years, the team has continued to grow. The co-workers there are divided into groups. To make it convenient for the elderly to the gatherings and activities, the church arranges a pick-up service. The author talked with two older sisters. One of them is 84 years old; she has believed in the Lord for more than 40 years; the other is 82 years old and she has been a Christian for more than 30 years. They are devoted fans. They have been in the fellowship since the establishment of the "university." They said: we are so happy here. Pastor Zhao and the co-workers care about us and we feel the warmth and love of home.
The assembly day for "Caleb University" is scheduled for every Friday. In the main church, the brothers and sisters are seated as required. Under the leadership of the church staff, everyone recites scriptures and sings hymns. The most refreshing thing for the author is the "exercise time" before the sermon. Everyone stood up in front of a large screen, under the leadership of co-workers, they started doing exercises with Christian songs for their health.
Amid the sacred music and hymn from the choir of Caleb University, Senior Pastor Zhao Yonggang walked onto the podium. He cordially greeted the brothers and sisters and led the congregation in reading I Corinthians 2:15, with the theme of spiritual people as the main sermon. Pastor Zhao preached the gospel of suffering and grace, hard work and ministry. After preaching, some brothers responded to the call and came to the altar, determined to follow the Lord.
- Translated by Yuehan Jiang
'Caleb' Elderly Ministry of Dalian Church
