Scheduled to be held in July 2021, the tenth Chinese Congress on World Evangelization (CCOWE) has been postponed until 2026, though it once was planned to be held in 2022 due to COVID-19.
The Chinese Coordination Center of World Evangelism (CCCOWE) said, “Members of the CCCOWE agreed that we are still amid uncertain pandemic situation, and many scholars and experts predict that the world will gradually recover at least two to three years later when the entire population is vaccinated. In addition, international vaccinations certificates have only been issued recently, facing unexpected risks and inconsistent progress in different countries. Due to great challenges faced in the preparation, it is difficult to hold the international congress according to the original plan."
“In the face of adversity and uncertainty, we should persevere and look firmly upon God. Also, we should try to put aside the conventional thinking in the new normal, to boldly face the challenges of the future and, to bravely open the door God has prepared for us, “ it continued with encouraging words to the Chinese churches all over the world.
With the vision of "Chinese Churches in One Accord Proclaiming the Gospel Until Christ’s Return", the CCCOWE was founded, after more than 70 leaders of Chinese churches attended the First Lausanne Congress (or International Congress on World Evangelization (ICOWE) in Switzerland in July 1974. At that time, about 100 overseas Chinese churches out of 4,000 were engaged in global mission, while there are now more than 1,000 out of a total of 9,000, involved in ecumenical evangelism in different forms. The first session of CCOWE, held every five years, was launched with the theme "Vision and Mission" in Hong Kong in 1976.
- Translated by Abigail Wu
