On December 20, 2023, the eleventh National Christian Conference in China opened in Beijing. More than 300 representatives across the country assembled to review and summarize the ministries of the past five years and envision the blueprint for the next five years.

As the moderator of the opening session, Rev. Wu Wei delivered an opening speech. Venerable Yanjue, President of the Buddhist Association of China, Daoist Li Guangfu, President of the Chinese Taoist Association, Imam Yang Faming, President of the Chinese Islamic Association, and Bishop Li Shan, President of the Chinese Catholic Patriotic Association and Vice Chairman of the Bishops’ Conference of the Catholic Church in China, were present to extend congratulations. Bishop Li Shan delivered a congratulatory speech on behalf of the four national religious groups.

On behalf of the tenth Standing Committee of the Three-Self Patriotic Movement of the Protestant Churches in China and the eighth Standing Committee of the China Christian Council, Rev. Xu Xiaohong made a work report entitled “Continue to Promote the Chinanization of Christianity and Run Chinese Churches Well in Accordance with the Socialist Society”. Rev. Gao Feng presented the work report of the first Board of Supervisors. Rev. Kan Baoping explained the amendments to the constitution of CCC&TSPM.

Prior to the conference, an opening service was presided over by Rev. Liu Cuimin. Rev. Zhang Yaofa quoted Romans 1:1-2 and preached on the theme “Identity and Mission”. Rev. Zhang encouraged fellow workers to emulate Paul the Apostle -- the path that identity leads to mission, mission establishes direction, and direction guides ministry.

On the afternoon of December 21, after completing various agendas, the eleventh National Christian Conference in China held its closing session chaired by Rev. Xu Xiaohong, the newly elected Chairperson of the eleventh Committee of the Three-Self Patriotic Movement of the Protestant Churches in China. All participants observed a moment of silence to mourn those who lost their lives in the earthquake in Jishishan County, Linxia Prefecture, Gansu Province.

During the closing session, the newly elected members of the eleventh Standing Committee of the Three-Self Patriotic Movement of the Protestant Churches in China and the ninth Standing Committee of the China Christian Council were announced.

Rev. Wu Wei, the newly-elected ninth President of the China Christian Council, delivered a closing speech.

There was a closing service following the closing session. In the hymn “I Love the Chinese Church Song”, Rev. Xu Yongbin presided over the service and Rev. Luo Yingfu delivered a sermon. Rev. Luo quoted Ephesians 4:12 to give an exhortation titled “Be Helpful”.

Translator & editor: Bei Feng