Before dawn in Haozhou, Anhui Province, hundreds gathered at the historic Wobei Church for a 5:30 a.m. Sunday service, where a powerful sermon urged believers to live out a genuine, fruit-bearing faith.

Though the Tomb-Sweeping Day has just passed, many Christians approach this traditional Chinese festival with a different perspective, carrying hope and spiritual legacy while remembering the deceased.

For over a decade, YMCA Bavaria, Germany has been fostering meaningful connections with its counterparts in China, strengthening ties through youth exchanges, cultural programs, and faith-based dialogues. Michael Götz, general secretary of YMCA Bavaria, recently shared insights on this enduring partnership and the organization’s recent visit to China.

During a conversation with my mother at home during Chinese New Year, she mentioned her experience serving with a fellow villager, Mrs. Luo. In rural churches, daily operations and worship services largely depend on the dedication of devout believers. From my memory, Mrs. Luo and my mother were among the key members, often serving together.

Next to our village was another formed by the families of coal mine workers. Alongside it was the busiest street in the area, filled with various street foods, clothes, and necessities for the new year. At the end of this street was the church where I had been attending Sunday services since childhood.

Pastors should consider the actual situation and needs of the congregation, reasonably arranging the sermon’s duration and content so that believers can receive the greatest spiritual blessings within a limited time.

On one hand, singles face many relatives urging them to get married during every Spring Festival. On the other, they actively contribute to the growing "singles economy." At the same time, many also participate enthusiastically in the booming matchmaking market. This seemingly contradictory behavior leaves many wondering—what influences their ability to enter romantic relationships?

China has the world’s largest Bible publisher—the Nanjing Amity Printing Company in Jiangsu Province—which has produced over 26 million Bibles since 1988. Yet, rumors about the Chinese Bible continue to circulate regarding the availability and content of the Bible in China.

During the Chinese New Year, stark contrasts emerge between urban and rural churches in China. Urban churches often feel empty due to believers returning to their hometowns, while rural churches become lively with the influx of these returning Christians. Against this backdrop, this article explores strategies for specialized pastoral care during the festival to promote believers' spiritual growth and church development.

I was invited to serve as an interpreter at a one-week training session outside China, where a seasoned US trainer and Chinese worship leaders gathered for training, retreat, and reunion. This experience revealed a new way God is working amidst the challenges of restricted foreign missions and limited large gatherings in China. By stepping outside the country, such retreats offer weary Chinese brothers and sisters an opportunity to rest and be spiritually refreshed as they face the pressures of surveillance and persecution.