On Tuesday, Changle Church, a century-old church located in Changle Township, Hepu County, Beihai City, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, commemorated the 25th anniversary of its reopening.
On February 4, the seventh day of the first lunar month in the Chinese calendar, more than 350 believers gathered for the celebration, including pastors and congregants from Changle Church, nearby churches and gathering points, along with leaders from the Beihai Municipal TSPM.
The journey of restoration for Changle Church began on September 13, 1999, when the church received legal approval to reconstruct its building. Work began immediately, and in 2000, Changle Church officially reopened its doors, inviting believers back to worship.
The celebration featured performances from co-workers of Changle Church and other local churches, including Cantonese dialect hymns, brass band performances, dancing, saxophone music, and a chorus.
During the celebration, Elder Luo Siqiong took the opportunity to reflect on the 25-year history of Changle Church. Over the last 25 years, the church has flourished under the devoted leadership of Elder Luo Siqiong, known as the "head sheep" of the congregation. The number of believers has increased, with over 400 baptisms to date. The church has its own pastoral team, choir, and a highly regarded band, the Isaac Band, which has become well-known among local churches.
As a revived and influential church in Hepu County, Changle Church’s influence extends beyond regular worship services. The congregation also participates in Christian festivals such as Easter and Christmas, organizing special gatherings and visiting fellow members in need. The church is also committed to local charity efforts, regularly contributing to social welfare activities and participating in events organized by the local CC&TSPM.
(Originally published by the Gospel Times, the article has been edited under permission and the author is a Christian in Liaoning province. )
- Edited and translated by Poppy Chan
