As the Spring Festival approaches, the Christian community in China has carried out festive visits as part of its traditional initiatives.
According to Beijing Municipal CC&TSPM, from January 13 to 23, Qiandaying Church in Beijing conducted visits to 51 elderly Christians and four seriously ill believers. The pastoral staff inquired about their health, daily life, and faith, listened to their sharing, and conveyed holiday greetings.
From January 8 to 19, co-workers from the Wachanggou Meeting Point in Zichang, Yan'an City, Shaanxi Province, visited more than 80 elderly aged over 70, as well as weak church members. They extended new year blessings and provided festive monetary support and gifts, said the host church.
According to Heilongjiang Provincial TSPM, municipal CC&TSPMs across the province organized visits to elderly pastors and families in need as the Chinese New Year falls on Wednesday. On January 17, Hallelujah Church in Harbin distributed daily necessities to 50 families. Shuangyashan CC&TSPM visited grassroots communities to care for ten elderly pastors and senior church members while learning about the development of local churches and exchanging ministry experiences. Additionally, Suihua Municipal CC&TSPM coordinated with co-workers from various churches to deliver daily necessities to believers in need.
Jincheng CC&TSPM in Shanxi Province organized staff to visit elderly pastors and present them with gifts, reported Jincheng Municipal TSPM. During the visits, staff listened to the pastors' suggestions on church work. The pastors shared their experiences of serving the Lord, expressed gratitude for God's guidance, and reflected on the church's changes over the years. Despite their age, they affirmed their commitment to faithfully serving and praying as always.
According to Jiangxi Provincial CC&TSPM, Nanchang Municipal CC&TSPM formed a special working group from January 17 to 20 to conduct safety inspections at key churches across the city. The group engaged with church leaders to stress the importance of safety management during the Spring Festival, reviewed the churches' safety measures and challenges, and provided guidance to enhance safety protocols. Additionally, the group visited retired church co-workers, inquired about their health and living conditions, and extended holiday greetings along with festive gifts and blessings.
On January 20, co-workers from Yancheng Municipal CC&TSPM in Jiangsu Province visited the organization's former leadership team, said the municipal CC&TSPM. During the visit, Rev. Chen Dehong, chairperson of the municipal CC&TSPM, shared the organization’s achievements over the past year and outlined the work plan for the new year, while also listening to the opinions of the retired pastors.
As reported by Ningbo Municipal CC&TSPM in Zhejiang Province, from January 10 to 16, Ningbo CC&TSPM visited members of grassroots CC&TSPMs in the city, along with elderly retired pastors and co-workers. During the visits, municipal CC&TSPM pastors emphasized the importance of safety inspections and personnel management during the Spring Festival. Festive monetary support and gifts were also distributed.
According to Guizhou Provincial CC&TSPM, recently, CC&TSPMs at all levels in the province, along with Guizhou Bible School and local churches, conducted visits to congregants and distributed Spring Festival couplets and the square paper of character "Fu" (blessing).
On January 16, Emmanuel Church in Guangxi Province delivered daily necessities and holiday blessings to 20 needy families in the Aohua community, reported Guangxi Provincial CC&TSPM. In recent years, the church has been actively involved in various public welfare activities within the community. On January 22, the church also participated in a new year's greetings event in Liutang Village, Wutang Town, Nanning City. Additionally, in collaboration with Gonghe Road Church in Nanning, they provided daily necessities to 52 needy families.
