On April 13, 2026, Ms. Patti Talbot, Chair of Foundation for Theological Education in Asia and the Pacific (FTEAP), visited CCC&TSPM. Rev. Lin Manhong, Vice President and General Secretary of CCC, and other colleagues received Ms. Talbot. Rev. Atenjemba Wati Longchar, Executive Director of FTEAP, and Mr. Kurt Gabbard, Treasurer of the foundation, joined via video conference.

Rev. Lin Manhong welcomed Ms. Talbot’s visit and Ms. Talbot conveyed greetings from FTEAP. Rev. Longchar and Mr. Kurt Gabbard then introduced the foundation’s major programs and its support for theological education in the Church in China.

In response, Rev. Lin reminisced about the friendly exchanges and cooperation between the Church in China and FTEAP in recent years, and expressed gratitude for the foundation’s support for theological education in China. She also took opportunity to introduce the theological education ministry of the Church in China, with particular emphasis on the ongoing systematic promotion of further contextualization of Christianity in China and law-based church governance.

Ms. Talbot noted that the visit would help further strengthen the friendly relationship between the two sides and also enhance the ties between churches in North America and the Church in China.

Ms. Gu Jingqin, the interim chief of the Overseas Relations Department of CCC&TSPM, also participated in the reception.

The day before, on the afternoon of April 12, Ms. Talbot also visited East China Theological Seminary, where she was warmly received by Rev. Xie Bingguo, President of the seminary.

Translated and edited by Bei Feng