On December 1, the inaugural ceremony for the new construction of Shiguang Church took place in Jieyang City, Guangdong Province.
According to Guangdong CC&TSPM, the event was attended by leaders from the provincial CC&TSPM and the municipal government, along with pastors, volunteers, and representatives of believers from various churches in the city.
During the service, Rev. Xu Jieping, who serves as the executive vice chairperson of Guangdong TSPM, the dean of Guangdong Union Theological Seminary, as well as the president of Jieyang CC, led the congregation in giving thanks to God for the church’s completion. He also encouraged the believers to remain rooted in their faith and to grow spiritually.
Shiguang Church, established in 1866, was among the first religious venues in Jieyang County to reopen under the implementation of the policy of religious freedom. The name "Shiguang Church" originates from a set of characters gathered in 1948 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the gospel's arrival in the Chaoshan region. Following urban redevelopment, the original Shiguang Church was demolished and rebuilt, spanning eight years.
For now, a seven-story church, covering an area of approximately 4,500 square meters with an accommodation of over 1,000 worshippers, stands in the newly redeveloped area of the bustling old city.
The church currently holds Sunday worship services at 9 a.m. in Teochew language and 8 p.m. in Mandarin. During weekdays, it also offers various ministries, including youth fellowship, women's fellowship, and prayer meetings.
