The Mid-Autumn Festival is one of China's four major traditional holidays. Symbolizing reunion through the fullness of the moon, it is a time for families to come together. This year, the festival, which falls on October 6, coincided with the National Day holiday, providing an extended break for family gatherings and travel.
During this festive season, churches across China organized various activities to strengthen believers in truth, deepen fellowship, serve their communities, and engage young believers with creative programs—reflecting the joyful and vibrant spirit of the holidays.
To allow believers more time for family reunions and travel, many churches scheduled celebrations ahead of the holidays. Beijing Chongwenmen Church hosted a fellowship for retired volunteers, where three representatives shared personal testimonies and encouraged younger volunteers to continue serving the church with sincerity and faithfulness.
On September 25, Gangwashi Church in Beijing held a thanksgiving and praise gathering that drew around 400 believers. Through hymns, prayers, testimonies, and drama performances, participants expressed gratitude, reflected on their faith, and shared in the love for both their faith and their country.
In his sermon titled "That Light Is the True Light," Rev. Zhang Jinxing noted that as people gaze upon the bright moon at Mid-Autumn and think of their loved ones, Christians are reminded that Jesus Christ is the true light who illuminates everyone in the world. Those who follow Him will not walk in darkness but will have the light of life. Just as the moon reflects the light of the sun, believers are called to reflect the light of Christ—living harmoniously in their families and society and bearing witness as the true light of the world.
On the evening of September 26, the Chengqu Church in Shaoxing, Zhejiang Province, held a fellowship for its young adult group. Through singing, sharing, and games, participants celebrated the joy of belonging to a spiritual family. A special session welcomed newcomers with warm greetings, handshakes, and hugs.
Beicheng Church in Kunming, Yunnan province, hosted a fellowship on September 29. Believers gathered to pause from their busy routines and recall God's grace in an atmosphere of reunion. Hymns awakened the longing for "home" traditionally associated with the festival and elevated it into gratitude for belonging to both the homeland and the spiritual family of faith. Mooncakes and tea—symbols of reunion—were arranged, expressing warmth through festive traditions. Believers prayed for the nation, the enduring transmission of faith, and harmony and peace in their families.
In Gaozhou, Guangdong province, a celebration for the both festivials was held on September 28. The pastor led the congregation in prayers for the nation's prosperity and stability and encouraged believers to "be the salt and light of the world." He exhorted them to be law-abiding citizens who practice love for others and service to society, thereby bearing witness to their faith through action.
Beyond deepening fellowship among believers, many churches used the holiday season to serve society and share love. In late September, Guangzhou CC&TSPM in Guangdong province, together with local churches, organized visits to retired pastors and church workers. They extended heartfelt holiday greetings to those who had devoted their lives to the growth of the church, especially retired ministers and coworkers over 70 years old and their families.
Several congregations reached out to local communities through the "Ren'ai Social Service Center," providing care and festive blessings to vulnerable groups and families in need.
On the Mid-Autumn Festival day, Chongwenmen Church partnered with Chongnei Community to host the "Mid-Autumn Joy Gathering," marking the 13th consecutive year of caring for local seniors since 2013. The event featured a wide range of activities—including dance, poetry recitation, classical music, snow-skin mooncake making, traditional lacquer fan crafts, calligraphy, and lantern riddles—bringing the elderly a memorable and joyful festival experience.
During the holidays, many churches held flag-raising ceremonies on National Day or the Sunday within the holiday period to celebrate the 76th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China and to pray for the nation.
Some churches made use of the holiday period to host gatherings and training sessions that helped strengthen believers' spiritual foundations. Wuxi Church in Jiangsu province held a retreat on October 5–6.
From October 1–2, the College of Illumination in Guangzhou conducted intensive courses at Zion Church, with about 350 pastors, staff, and volunteers participating citywide. Courses offered included "Living a Wise Life: An Introduction to Christian Ethics," "Studies on the Twelve Prophets," and "Worship and Sacred Music," equipping churches for future ministry and leadership development.
Churches also organized diverse festive activities throughout the holiday. On October 5, Hongde Church in Shanghai arranged a "City Walk" from the church to Jingling Church.
From October 1–8, Guangzhou Guangxiao Church hosted an evening sacred music tour in celebration of the National Day. On the Mid-Autumn Festival day itself, the church organized a festive fair featuring lantern riddles, handmade lanterns, traditional lacquer fan painting, string games, toy-paper flipping, and more—creating an atmosphere of joy, fellowship, and cultural tradition.
