On Jan 9, 2017, the 8th Alumni Forum of Xinyu Christian Training Center was held in the Church, Jiangxi. The forum was presided over by Pastor Luo Liguang, President of Three-Self Patriotic Movement Committee (TSPM) of Yushui District, and director of Yushui Church and the training center. Pastor Li Yungen, President of Jiangxi TSPM, principle of Jiangxi Bible Institute and chairman of the city's CCC&TSPM, advised three attitudes: appreciating the Past, seizing today, and looking forward to the future.
The training center was established in May 2008, and it is a one-year course. At first, the center only took in preachers in service from grassroots churches and fellowships in Yushui District, Xinyu City for retraining. It was called "Yushui Christian Preacher Training Class." The second year, at the request of the churches in the city and the support and approval from the local government, it extended the recruitment to the churches in the city and changed the name to "Xinyu Christian Training Class." Later it was renamed "Xinyu Christian Training Center." So far 211 students have finished the courses over the eight years and gone on to the serving field. To a certain extent, it has alleviated the situation of the grassroots churches where there are many sheep and few shepherds.
The training center not only focuses on the teachings in class, but also pays attention to practice after classes. It also cares about the students' work and life in church after they graduate. From the first year, every year, the center holds an alumni forum to advise and encourage the students and help them to be more loyal and diligent on the road of serving.
Since many students serve in grassroots churches, they have to support their families while serving in the church. Some have to leave the church and go out to work under life force. Xinyu CCC&TSPM is currently taking measures to improve the situation, so that they can shepherd the church as well as support their families.
So far, 10 out of the 211 graduates have become the persons in charge of township centers, and more than half the fellow workers are in charge of the local churches. Four have continued further study in Jiangxi Bible Institute and five participated in the training class hosted by the province's CCC&TSPM for leadership training. The rest became the backbones of the grassroots churches.
According to the fellow worker of Xinyu CCC&TSPM, the training center has already applied to the Bureau of Ethnic and Religious Affairs and CCC&TSPM of the province to connect the center with Jiangxi Bible Institute in the new year in order to include the training center with the regular theological education system.
Translated by: Grace Hubl
