Executive Director Rev. Dr. Mark Mueller from the Outreach Foundation led a delegation of 14 members to the largest church in Hangzhou City, Zhejiang Province, strengthening ties with churches in China.
On October 13, Rev. Mueller delivered an opening remark during the Sunday service at Hangzhou Chongyi Church, the largest Protestant church in the city, on behalf of the foundation.
Starting with expressing his gratitude and greeting to the host and the congregation, Rev. Mueller introduced himself, his organization, and the delegators from several states in the U.S., along with their purpose of visit. He remarked, “It is our great honor and pleasure to come and worship God with you here and today and in this place now. We thank the leaders and staff of the Zhejiang Christian Council and TSPM and the Hongzhou Christian Council and TSPM for their warm welcome and enormous hospitality.”
“The Outreach Foundation has long cherished the bonds of friendship and faithful partnership we have experienced in the churches in China. Forty-five years ago, in 1979, the Outreach was founded by a group of Presbyterian leaders who had deep connections in China. Thirty years ago, the Outreach Foundation launched its first trip to China, which initiated our exchange and partnership with the church in China. On that very first trip, we visited Hangzhou and Zhejiang. Since then, we have been blessed to be able to walk alongside and partner with Zhejiang’s church and also churches in other provinces. Our exchange and partnership in the spirit of sincerity, equality, and mutual trust is fruitful,” Pastor Mueller reviewed the long-standing friendship between the Outreach Foundation and Chinese churches.
In his speech, he also noted the China Ministry Forum in late August, which was co-sponsored by the Outreach Foundation and the Westminster Presbyterian Church, with the aim of fostering U.S.-China church dialogue.
Mueller appreciated the continued relationship with anticipation for deepening it, “We have been blessed to be able to walk alongside and partner with Zhejiang church and also churches in other provinces. It is our sincere hope that our reciprocal visits will bring us closer [and] deepen our friendship,” he added.
Following the trip to the Chongyi Church, the guests extended their visit to other churches and the provincial theological seminary.
