Chinese and Korean Christians will discuss new strategies for missions in China next week at an unprecedented gathering expected to draw together some of the brightest minds in missions from both China and South Korea.
“I believe this meeting will remain an important milestone [in] the history and development of missions,” said Jodie Chu, secretary general of Young Disciples of Jesus, an international fellowship founded in mainland China that will be sending representatives to the August 20-24 event in Bondang, South Korea.
“As China is marching towards the 2008 Olympic[s], it is good to see two countries coming together, humbling themselves and learning from each other.”
Prominent pastors, grassroots evangelists, native missionaries and ministry representatives from other parts of the world will attend the five-day “Mission China 2007” conference that marks 200 years of missions in China.
Attendants from abroad include Christian leaders representing the overseas Chinese community such as those in Indonesia, Taiwan, Canada and the United States.
Notable figures at the event will include the Rev Thomas Wang, founder of the Chinese Coordination Centre of World Evangelism – the largest overseas Chinese evangelical organisation.
Event organisers hope that all who are working on China mission will “speak out” and share their experience not just to form the direction and strategy of the future gospeliation of China but to spread the gospel “until the ends of the earth”.
“Year 2007 is … the 100th-year anniversary … of Pyongyang Great Revival Movement and the 200th-year [since] Missionary Robert Morrison started his mission in China,” stated a Korean-language website promoting the gathering.
Organisers have expressed their hope for the conference to result in “a unified effort by all Christians in reaching China for the Lord”.
“I believe that Chinese [can] learn a lot about spirituality and maturity from Korean churches,” commented Chu. “China [missions] need this power as it [is] breaking through and reaching … new level[s] as [it] grow[s].”
