A Liaoning church held a ceremony last Saturday to mark its 20th anniversary of dedication and orientation of the first pastor since its foundation.
In Guoziyuan gathering site, Tangjiafang Town, Qianshan District, Anshan City, Liaoning Province, the ceremony was hosted by Rev. Yuan Ming, president of Anshan CC (Christian Council). Announcing the orientation of Pastor Gao Zheng, Elder Shi Aijun, chairman of Liaoning TSPM (Three-Self Patriotic Movement) and president of Northeast Theological Seminary, gave a speech to put forward hope and exhortation. He said the ordained pastor was not an official, but a higher-level worker chose by God, who should manage the church well and carry out good pastoral care for Christians here. In addition, he must be patriotic, adhere to the correct political direction, the policy of the Three-Self Patriotic Movement, and the Sinicization of Christianity.
Pastor Gao Zheng gave a speech of thanks, receiving a Bible and a message of encouragement from an 82-year-old female believer with the surname of Cao, the founder of the meeting point.
After that, the staff workers from the Lvhua Street Church in Anshan City and the meeting point performed artistic programs to give thanks to God and celebrate the dedication.
With the help of believers in Shenyang and Anshan and with offerings from all members in the meeting point, they raised funds to purchase equipment: solid wood seats, six air conditioners, stereos, and pianos. The constructions of a new subsidiary hall, office, toilet and, canteen have also been finished.
Besides the improved environment, the church has its own pastor, which resolves the problem of hosting communion and baptism services and helps nurture the believers.
(The article is originally published by the Gospel Times.)
- Translated by Abigail Wu
