On September 20, Langkou Church in Longhua District, Shenzhen, Guangdong, marked its 160th anniversary and the 20th anniversary of the dedication of its new building.
According to Shenzhen CC&TSPM, the church was established in 1866 when French missionary Charles Piton of the Basel Mission began preaching and built a church in Langkou. As one of the oldest churches in Shenzhen, it played a significant role in the region's early Christian presence. In 1891, the Basel Mission relocated a girls' school to Langkou from Hong Kong, which later developed into Qianzhen Girls' School ("Qianzhen" meaning godly, pure, and faithful). The church endured severe trials during the warlord conflicts of 1917, when it was badly damaged, the clerical personnel were persecuted, and two foreign missionaries were martyred. It also suffered destruction during the Japanese invasion in 1937. Services ceased during the Land Reform and the Cultural Revolution, as the church building was repurposed.
Worship services resumed in 1984. Today, the church covers a floor area of 1,780 square meters, with its main hall seating 700 people. It has more than 1,000 registered members and engages in community ministries, including programs caring for left-behind children.
At the thanksgiving service, Rev. Yang Yongchun, general secretary and office director of the Guangdong CC, preached on the theme "Unity and Mutual Support." Drawing on Ephesians 4:1-7 and the image of geese flying in formation, he urged pastors and church workers to support one another in pursuit of a common mission, stressing that unity in Christ is essential for overcoming challenges, strengthening the church, and glorifying God.
Rev. Cai Bosheng, chairman of Shenzhen TSPM and senior pastor of Langkou Church, welcomed leaders and guests from across society, expressing gratitude for their support. He also reviewed the church's history and development over the past two decades."
In his address, Rev. Ye Dongsheng, president of Shenzhen CC, highlighted that the church's growth reflects both the inheritance of faith and harmonious social integration. He offered two recommendations: first, to uphold the Three-Self principles, safeguard the church from heresy, and foster social harmony; and second, to pursue the path of the Sinicization of Christianity by cultivating versatile talents, advancing the church's role in charity and public service, and contributing to the development of the Greater Bay Area.
Rev. Guo Yun, chairperson of Guangdong TSPM, encouraged Langkou Church to continue embodying the "Qianzhen" spirit, strengthen pastoral discipline in online spaces, serve as a model in social services, enhance internal governance, and promote the church's healthy development.
