On December 14, a dedication and inauguration thanksgiving ceremony for Panyu Church convened in Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, a church entirely funded by the contributions of believers from the local Christian community.
According to Guangzhou CC&TSPM, during the thanksgiving service, Rev. Chen Suisheng, president of the Guangzhou Municipal Christian Council (CC), delivered a sermon titled "I Love the House of My Lord Jehovah." He encouraged the congregation to dedicate themselves to the church, resolve to serve wholeheartedly, and, through the completion and opening of Panyu Church, work in unity to strengthen the church, contribute to society, glorify God, and bless others, thereby becoming a testimony of faith.
Rev. Guo Yun, the chairperson of Guangzhou Municipal TSPM, stated that with the completion and opening of the church, it would be developed into a model for a sinicized cultural ecological church, embodying the "four beauties": a beautiful ecological environment, rich cultural connotation, refined atmosphere and manner of religion, and strong ideological foundation.
In his speech, Mr. Wang Maozhu, secretary of the Party Leadership Group and director of the Guangzhou Municipal Ethnic and Religious Affairs Bureau, emphasized that Panyu Church should establish itself as a distinctive brand for promoting the sinicization of religion in Guangzhou by leveraging the planned memorial hall for Wu Yao-Tsung (the founder of the Three-Self Patriotic Movement of the Chinese Protestant Church) as a platform to advance this goal. Additionally, he encouraged the church to offer support for the 15th National Games of the People's Republic of China, thereby showcasing the positive image of Christianity in Guangzhou.
Guangzhou Panyu Church had its foundation stone laid on July 30, 2022. The church was completed and officially opened for use on December 14, 2024.
Panyu Church spans a construction area of 6,800 square meters, comprising the main chapel, auditorium, multi-functional buildings, and other facilities. The church's architectural style blends contemporary design with traditional Lingnan characteristics, incorporating elements of classic Chinese architecture such as pavilions and corridors. It embraces green, low-carbon ecological principles in its construction, implementing environmental initiatives like photovoltaic power generation and sponge city rainwater harvesting systems. In 2024, it was recognized as a “Green and Beautiful Religious Activity Site in Guangzhou.”
