On January 19, 2018, Rev. Zhang Ji, a theologian of the Uniting Church in Australia (UCA), and Frank Rees, Principal of Whitley College, the Baptist College of Victoria, visited the CCC&TSPM focusing on theological education.
Founded in 1977, the UCA consists of the Methodist Church of Australia, the Presbyterian Church of Australia, and the Congregational Union of Australia, known as the largest social service institution in Australia. The UCA currently has 20,000 members with expertise in elderly care, medical care, nursing and youth care.
Rev. Dr Lin Manhong, associate general secretary of the CCC&TSPM, told the Australian delegation that the CCC&TSPM offered training for pastoral workers in mid-west China who graduated from seminaries at least ten years ago and preachers in ethnic minority areas of western China. She expressed gratitude for UCA's support and help for students sent by the CCC&TSPM to study in Australia.
The Australian side showed the willingness to show concern for the development of the Chinese church in theological education and to strengthen cooperation. The delegation will continue to visit churches in Nanjing and Xi'an.
- Translated by Karen Luo
