Mete welcomes participation in Australia-Papua New Guinea Emerging Leaders Dialogue.

Community Development advocator Mr. Reuben Mete has welcome the invitation by the Lowy Institute for International Policy and the Government of Australia and Papua New Guinea to participate in the Australia-Papua New Guinea Emerging Leaders Dialogue that will be hosted in Sydney during the week of 25 November 2013.

The Dialogue was an initiative of Australian and Papua New Guinea Ministers who agreed at the 2012 Papua New Guinea-Australia Ministerial Forum that Australia would host an annual Emerging Leaders Dialogue to enhance and promote people-to-people links in a new generation of Australians and Papua New Guineans.  The Dialogue is being conducted in cooperation with the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and with the support of the Australian aid program.

It will bring together 20 emerging young leaders from the private sector, civil society, and government in both countries of Australia and Papua New Guinea who will meet to share ideas and discuss priority on national issues for both Papua New Guinea and Australia.  These will include, growing the economy and attracting investment in the Asian Century, national infrastructure challenges – new approaches, reform and innovations in the delivery of health and education services and politics and accountability with new expectations.

The Dialogue is an opportunity to form enduring professional connections with other emerging leaders. The aim is to create a network of alumni from the Dialogue to enable ongoing communication between emerging leaders from Papua New Guinea and Australia.

“I am happy to participate and to share my knowledge and ideas as well as engage with the experience of other participants. The Dialogue is indeed a great opportunity to share and learn about practical, innovative solutions and insights into the challenges facing Papua New Guinea and Australia,” Mete said. “Following the Dialogue on November 26, I am grateful to be given an opportunity to meet professional counterparts and state government representatives in Sydney, as well as to participate in policy briefings in Canberra by which Australia’s Foreign Minister Julie Bishop is expected to attend.”

Mr. Mete pledge to participate and associated closely with the Lowy Institute’s planned PNG New Voices Conference in Port Moresby in the first half of 2014 to offers further networking opportunities with other emerging leaders from Papua New Guinea. Mr. Mete is hoping to take part in this opportunity to engage with other emerging leaders from Papua New Guinea and Australia. Mr. Mete is expected to arrive in Sydney on Monday 25 November together with other Papua New Guinea delegations and returning on Friday 29 November 2013. He will be talking about rural economies (agriculture/working with mining companies) – a subject we could fit into either the topics of ‘growing the economy’ or ‘national infrastructure.’

Lutheran Life Care undergoes weeklong planning workshop on HIV and AIDS.

By Reuben Mete
 

The Lutheran Life Care (LLC), an arm of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Papua New Guinea (ELC PNG) has been undergoing a weeklong planning workshop that begun on Monday 21^st and will continue on till Friday 29^th of October 2013. The aim of the workshop is to transform LLC activities and guidelines after realizing a drastic increase in HIV and AIDS epidemic in Morobe Province and Papua New Guinea in 2011 and 2012 analyzed data.

 

Lutheran Life Care is a ministry to propagate the Gospel of Christ as a Lutheran Christians as being justified by faith. It comes under the Evangelism Department of ELC-PNG which its current program is the HIV and AIDS. LLC was established in 2004 after ELC-PNG recognizes the changing environment concerning the HIV and AIDS in Papua New Guinea.

The Faith Base Organization acknowledges that HIV and AIDS is a treat to our nation and its development prospect as a whole as well as building its capacity to address the epidemic and to be a partner in the response.

Mrs Amad Uma, LLC National Coordinator in her opening remarks on Monday says Lutheran members within this country should now take the ownership of this program to see its continuation into the next few years. She also thank the Church Partnership Program under Aus AID to fund the programs over the past years and also provide funding assistance for the Evaluation, Reflection Workshop and now planning.

The Planning Workshop was well attended by the LLC Program Coordinators and officers from the Evangelism Department of ELC PNG and facilitated by the Melanesian Organization for Development (MODe). Department Secretary Rev. Binora when welcoming the workshop participants says Lutheran Church is not an emotional church but a faith church thus the workshop should reflect on the Bible teachings and guidance.

Incoming ELC PNG National Youth Director Mr. Reuben Mete says the rate by which the epidemic is growing in Papua New Guinea is very alarming at the moment. He says with the given figure of 416 new HIV positive cases detected in 2012 within Morobe Province, the province is now sitting on a time bomb.  “This clearly shows that there has been a social breakdown within all our communities despite Lae city being the Head quarter of many Christian denominations including the ELC PNG,” Mete says.   

Drug producers wants alternative life.

Part of the Workshop attendants who surrender and accept
Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour and wanted Change.

The Evangelical Lutheran Church of Papua New Guinea (ELC PNG) through Evangelism Department under Social-Concern Division and Youth Division with assistance from Community Development and Land Rights Advocator Mr. Reuben Mete have embarked on a mission to reduce the negative impact of Drug and Alcohol that has posed in Papua New Guinea communities. The team strategically aims to teach, inspire and motivate mostly the young generation of PNG out of the Marijuana culture which has rooted in many societies.

The ELC PNG team piloted the campaign in Rihona Memorial Circuit of ELC-Kainantu District in the Eastern Highlands Province on the 25^th to 30^thAugust 2013. Rihona in the Dunatina Local Level Government is known to be the first and also the major centre of marijuana production and distribution in PNG.

The week long program of the interactive workshop and awareness involves mostly the youths, helping them to understand the negative social impacts of drug and alcohol on the societies and negative health impact drug and alcohol have on human body. The awareness was facilitated by ELC-PNG Social-Concern Director, Rev. Sere Muhuyu with accompanied powerful and inspirational bible studies by Rev. Matei Ibak at a self-built Youth Development Centre of Rihona Circuit, Hagere village.

One of the Marijuana Growers, consumers and distributors
who surrender his old habit and wanted alterative living.

The workshop identified and categorized the 121 participants into three groups. The first group being the non-marijuana consumers, non-producers and non-distributors while the second group being the distributors. The final group consists of producers, consumers and distributors.

The group members were given opportunities to share their insight after being made aware of the many negative impacts they have posed on their societies thus it was an emotional sessions when some even wept openly and went down on their knees to apologies, confess and seeking God’s forgiveness after realizing how much negative impacts they have caused to the society and the country at large.

Rev. Muhuyu said the way forward now is to really help these young people become positively participate in the socio-economic development of their societies after they have willingly and fully give up on these negative attitudes. It is important to effectively isolate them and rehabilitate them for some period of time and to strategically refocus their energy and potentials on other positive economical activities. The youths can also be train and use as vibrant advocators against marijuana to also have more impact on others.

Rev. Sere Muhuyu pointed out that to achieve this it needs collaborative support from concerned government agencies, churches, NGOs and other organization. “We all need to mobilize resources together to see a positive outcome to this long dilemma that has decayed our society” Rev. Muhuyu said.

“We are expecting multitude of young people involved in marijuana who will be willing to give up these habits; but how do we move forward with them once they confess and express their willingness to contribute meaningfully to the society? This is the challenge we have before us and may God help us move forward with whatever resources we have” Rev. Muhuyu expressed.

"The successful outcome of this one week workshop is a result of a long and close interaction with the ELC-PNG National Youth Office through Ps. Matei and the youth leaders in ELC-Kainantu district and Rihona Memorial Circuit"

The Social-Concern Division and the Youth Division of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Papua New Guinea (ELC PNG) now extends an invitation to all stakeholders interested to work together with them to reduce the impact of marijuana in Papua New Guinea Societies.

Community Development and Land Rights advocator Mr. Reuben Mete who was the guest facilitator in this weeklong workshop said the National Youth Office wanted to assist the surrendered youths to be more economically independent and more self sustainable and by getting them permanently out of Marijuana by giving them vegetables seedlings, appropriate agriculture tools and opening up vegetable markets for them as well as monitoring and evaluating the initiatives but this arrangements and plans cannot be implemented well given the minimal funding available, thus we now seek kind assistance and supports in cash or kind from any interested individuals and stakeholders to make it into a reality.

Contact Reuben Mete on mobile phone 72522667 or email reubenmete@yahoo.com.au for further information and or assistance.

Climate Change affecting Pacific communities and the self-determination of West Papua and Maohi Nui (or Tahiti) been discussed in Bavaria, Germany.

 By Reuben Mete

 

In bid to gain more International community to support and recognized the human rights of all people in particular the effects of Climate Change and the right to self-determination of all oppressed colonized indigenous people in the world, International Leadership Consultation delegate representing Pacific and Papua New Guinea Mr. Reuben Mete wasted no time to question the Head Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Bavaria Professor Heinrich Bedford-Strohm on this.

The International Leadership Consultation delegates were given the opportunity to meet with the Bishop only for an hour to discussed issues related to Tolerance in Societies and Churches as this was the theme of the three (3) weeks Consultation in Germany.

Mr. Reuben Mete
giving his Introduction.

“What is the roles of churches as the prophetic voice to the issue of Climate Change ... and De-colonization and self determination of the Maohi Nui (or Tahiti) and West Papua?” asked Mr. Mete.

Mr. Mete called on member churches and the World Council of Churches to support, through advocacy, efforts for the re-inscription of Maohi Nui on the list of countries to be decolonized and also address the human rights abuse and independence in West Papua.

Mr. Mete also calls on the governments to stand in solidarity with the people of the region who were struggling with the challenges and negative impacts of Climate Change and Mining impacts in their communities.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photo: Delegates of the International Leadership Consultation

with the Bishop Professor Heinrich Bedford-Strohm.

 

 

Final Resolutions of PCC 10th General Assembly, Honiara, March 2013.

HONIARA, Solomon Islands
 

Tahiti self-determination
 

The Pacific Conference of Churches General Assembly has called on France, the United Nations, Pacific island countries and the international community to support self-determination in Maohi Nui (Tahiti). At its 10th General Assembly in Honiara, the Solomon Islands, delegates said decolonization was one of the PCC’s long-standing themes.

A request from the Etaretia Porotetani Maohi (Maohi Protestant Church) to the assembly called for support for the re-inscription of Tahiti onto the UN’s decolonization list. The church said the Maohi people must be allowed to decide for themselves on the sovereignty of their nation.

Delegates recognized God’s gift of freedom to be self-determining.

They also recognized the human rights of all people, in particular the right to self-determination of all people and in particular the right to self-determination of all oppressed colonized indigenous people in the world in accordance with the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People.They called on member churches and the World Council of Churches to support, through advocacy, efforts for the re-inscription of Maohi Nui on the list of countries to be decolonized.
 

West Papua independence
 

A programme implemented by Pacific churches will address human rights abuse and independence in West Papua.

The Pacific Conference of Churches 10th General Assembly in Honiara, the Solomon Islands resolved to document effective advocacy on justice and respect for human rights in collaboration with ecumenical partners, civil society and governments.

It will incorporate the human rights situation in West Papua as a strong focal point of PCC’s programmatic work on self-determination for non-self-governing territories and communities and peoples who yearn to be free.
 

Freedom Sunday
 

Pacific churches will designate an annual Freedom Sunday to pray for island countries and people who are not free.

At its 10th General Assembly in Honiara, the Solomon Islands, delegates agreed to encourage the French authorities to fulfil their obligations and provide all necessary means for the economic, social and cultural, environmental development of the Maohi people.

The PCC delegates agreed to facilitate awareness building in churches, with their partners and networks about the injustices suffered by the victims of nuclear testing in the region. They agreed to design and implement advocacy activities at multiple levels targeting such injustices and using the thematic areas of praying, speaking out and acting together. And they agreed the PCC Secretariat would facilitate regional dialogue among its members to raise awareness on nuclear testing.
 

Nuclear testing
 

Pacific churches will fight for the compensation of people affected by nuclear testing.

At its 10th General Assembly in Honiara, the Solomon Islands, delegates agreed to advocate with the Maohi people a zero-tolerance stance on nuclear weapons and testing.

The assembly resolved to build awareness beginning in churches, with partners and networks about the injustices suffered by victims of nuclear testing in the region.

Members will design and implement advocacy at multiple levels targeting such injustices and using the thematic areas of praying, speaking out and acting together. And a regional dialogue tour among PCC members to raise awareness on the issues of nuclear testing.
 

Seabed mining
 

The Pacific Conference of Churches has called for an immediate stop to experimental seabed mining. At its 10th General Assembly in Honiara, the Solomon Islands, delegates said seabed mining was a matter of growing concern in the region. Over the next five years the PCC will conduct regional advocacy work to create a greater understanding of the long and short term effects of seabed mining. It will also act on behalf of member countries to advocate at the relevant global levels including the International Seabed authority.

The general assembly resolution came after concerns were raised by several island churches.

 

 

Solidarity on mining
 

Churches throughout the region will develop specific positions on mining, tourism, fisheries and forestry in a resolution passed in Honiara.

Member churches agreed to call on their governments to stand in solidarity with the people of the region who were struggling with the challenges and negative impacts of mining in their communities.

At its 10th Pacific Conference of Churches General Assembly in Honiara, the Solomon Islands, delegates agreed there was a need to facilitate the concerns of members by engaging on the issue with agencies such as the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat and the Melanesian spearhead Group.
 

End HIV-AIDS stigmatisation
 

Pacific churches have called for an end to the stigmatization of people suffering from HIV and AIDS.

Delegates at the Pacific Conference of Churches 10th General Assembly in Honiara, the Solomon Islands, called for the inclusion of people with HIV and AIDS.They also called for the voices and concerns of those with HIV and AIDS to be heard.

To this end the PCC will develop and facilitate a programme on compassion and reconciliation and to include people living with HIV and AIDS in the design and implementation of the programme. It will work alongside member churches to help dispel stigmas and negative attitudes associated with HIV and AIDS.

 

 

Climate change and resettlement
 

Research into climate-induced resettlement will be a key area of work for the Pacific Conference of Churches over the next five years.

Leaders at the 10th general Assembly in Honiara, the Solomon Islands supported the continuation of climate-induced resettlement research focussing on human rights. As part of this programme of action there will be an advocacy plan as outlined in the Moana Declaration of 2009.

This plan will look at options for displaced people, explore methods of relocation and ensure the protection of the rights of the displaced people.
 

Teachers for Chuuk
 

The Pacific Conference of Churches will provide teachers for schools in Chuuk to help with a shortage in the Micronesian territory.

Member churches will provide the teachers who will also work on youth evangelism and ecumenism. At its 10th Pacific Conference of Churches General Assembly in Honiara, the Solomon Islands, delegates heard of the need for teachers in Chuuk. A number of countries, including Tonga, have agreed to provide staff members for the project.

The PCC secretariat will also establish a pool of resource people from among its member to assist with the capacity and emergency needs of regional churches.
 

Arms trade and nuclear weapons
 

Pacific churches will keep track of arms trading and nuclear proliferation in the region after a resolution passed in Honiara.

Church leaders agreed to monitor the arms trade and initiate awareness raising campaigns on the issue where necessary.The PCC Secretariat will also increase networking and consultation initiatives with human rights groups in an effort to address the unresolved nuclear legacy in the Pacific.

The resolution came after concerns that gun ownership in the Pacific was 50 per cent higher than the global average and that firearms laws were inconsistent.

 

 

Source: Islands Business

Pacific Conference of Churches calls for reason in PNG religion debate.

SUVA, Fiji--- Christians must attempt to change the world through living Christ-like lives, not by forcing legislation on others, says the Pacific Conference of Churches. Responding to a motion in the Papua New Guinea parliament to review freedom of religion laws, PCC General Secretary Reverend Francois Pihaatae said it was important that legislators reflect on Christ’s message of love.

 

Mr. Reuben Mete and Reverend Francois Pihaatae
chating during the PCC 10th General Assembly
in Honiara, Solomon Islands early this year.

“While the PCC recognizes the sovereignty of all nations to create laws, we would – in all humility – suggest that whatever is done is in a way which reflects God’s appreciation of the diversity of His creation and His love for all people,” Rev Pihaatae said. “It is also helpful for legislators to reflect that Christ spoke about justice and inclusivity and in living lives which showed a genuine care for and of neighbor.”

 

A motion moved by Hela Province Governor Anderson Agiru and carried in the PNG parliament has allowed the setting up of a national consultation on whether to allow religious freedom in the country.

Rev Pihaatae said Christianity and Christian missionaries had played a major role in the history of PNG and most Pacific countries. “We urge Pacific leaders to value this contribution to our history. At the same time we call on church elders to teach their congregations that being a Christian is more than about worship.

It is about loving your neighbor, caring about the environment and taking practical steps towards reducing poverty,” he said. “There is also a need to look at developing economic models which are relevant to our people.”

 

Rev Pihaatae said violence against women and children must also be addressed. “This cannot be done through legislation but we can gain forward movement if we live the Gospel which is common throughout the Pacific.” And he said the PCC invited churches in PNG to provide clear moral directions to legislators on religious freedom and Christian responsibility.

 

Source: Islands Business

Imperial Castle Nuremberg - A Glimpse of World History



A visit to the Castle with the IYLC 2013 members.

Source: Adapted


The Imperial Castle Nuremberg is one of the most important imperial palaces of the Middle Ages. Between 1050 and 1571 it hosted the gatherings of the court, Diets and juridical sessions of all German emperors and kings of the Holy Roman Empire.

 

A Salian royal castle was build on the rock here as early the 11^th century. In the 12^th and 13^th century, Emperor Friedrich I. Barbarossa (1123-1190) and his successors build one of the largest and most magnificant castle complexes of the empire on the western rock. The Romanesque double chapel still dates fro this time, while the palace and other structures were converted and renewed from 1440 onwards in the Late Gothic style. The mighty bastions were first build one century later.

 

 

The Imperial Castle was only inhabited during imperial visits. The empiror’s permanent administrator lived in the Burgrave’s Castle on the eastern rock.
 

 

Christian Churches in China urged to become the Salt and Light for this world.

By Reuben Mete

Mr. Da Wei Ge, one of the Young Lutheran Youth Leaders from China attending the 05^th International Leadership Consultation currently going on in Neuendettelsau, Germany concluded the individual participant’s introduction session presentation of national, individual and leadership backgrounds today. Mr. Ge was the second last presenter before South Korean’s Kim.

Young world leaders share their passions and talented openly during the 30 minutes introduction presentation and also share a lot of gifts. Nicaragu’s Sergio Rios Carillo was the first presenter beginning the sessions yesterday on a very high note. Brazil, Tanzania, Mozambique, German, Singapore, Philippines, Papua New Guinea, Australia and Malaysia also made very impressive presentation.

“Christianity first entered China in 635 A.D” said Mr. Ge. Afterwards Christianity entered China two more times, in the 13^th and 17^th Century. In the 19^th Century, Protestant Christianity was brought to China, but unfortunately it was associated with colonization and was seen as a ‘foreign religion’. In the 1950s, in order to change the image of Christianity as a foreign religion, Chinese Christians initiated the three-self Patriotic Movement. The churches in China took the road of self-administration, self-support and self-propagation and thereby earned respect and recognition from the Chinese people.

In 1958,Chinese Christians begun the practice of United Worship, based on the principle of mutual respect, brothers and sisters ‘bear with one another in love, making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.’ Mr Ge also mentioned that during the period of the Cultural Revolution (1966-1976), church life was eliminated. In 1979, with the implementation of the policy of religion freedom, church life resumed and the churches in China endeavored to move beyond ‘three-self’ to ‘three-well’ that is administering it, supporting it and propagating it well. 

Mr. Da Wei Ge performing a Beijing Opera as part of his presentation

During the last 30 years, the development of Christianity and growth of the church in China have been obvious and various and ministries are taking root onward and bearing fruit upward. The church in China is really fully of God grace, and many new and unprecedented developments in the fields of theological renewal, church administration, theological education and training, publication, social service and international tiesare taking place. In 1998, a theological renewal movement was launched, showing that the church in China is growing not only in years, but also in wisdom, establishment its own theological voice to better spread the gospel and build up the churches in China and also to contribute to the voice for better spreading the gospel and building up the churches in China and to contribute to the ecumenical church movement. 

“The Churches in China are young but God is always accomplished abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine. Under the guidance of God, the churches in China will develop further and enhance every kind of ministry, endeavoring to be ‘the light and salt’ of the world and striving to promote social harmony and world peace” said Mr. Ge. He also mentions that churches in China faces heavy responsibility and has a long way to go. “Our hope is in God’s guidance and protection. We also hope for the prayers and support of brothers and sisters from ecumenical churches,” Ge said.

The Fruit of Partnership: A Letter to Papua New Guinea friends from Germany.

By Christine Schulz

 The letter, which we sent to PNG two weeks ago: 

Dear friends in PNG,

Some time ago our German group had the idea to send you a letter about what is going on in Germany at the moment and what we are doing for our partnership program. Today it´s my turn to send you best greetings and new information from the German group. I hope you all are well and the laplap which is going from parish to parish is still on his way. Many of us are still in contact with some friends from PNG, mostly via internet. That´s great!

I want to inform you a little bit about what we did the last months after our journey to PNG. We thought a lot about how we can inform people about the project and how we can share with them the fruits of our partnership. So we made some evening programs in some parishes. We showed them a lot of pictures and told them about our aims and ideas. Many people said that it is very interesting and that they feel our happiness concerning the PNG-relationship which was a great feedback for us Furthermore we organized some programs for youth groups: Every one of the German members prepared e little program which includes a theme of our project, e.g. about resources. This way we can share our ideas and maybe we can win some new members for our partnership group.

Another big project was the following: In Germany there exist many fruit trees who are not used, so we collected a lot of apples and made juice out of them. This juice we sold in the parishes and the money these people pay is used for our partnership project. Another important thing is that the person who made the juice out of these apples plants some new trees, so it´s good for the climate too, which is a kind of climate compensation for the flights to PNG. Now all the juice is sold and we hope we are able to collect many apples again this autumn.

Now I want to tell you some news about our group members. I think you now that Felix was going to Canada after our meeting in PNG. There he makes a voluntary service. He will come back this summer. In summer Charlotte will travel to some countries in Europe for one year, her first station is Spain. What is more, that Luise is in Bangladesh at the moment. She went in April and will come back in autumn, she makes a voluntary service in a christian community.

Last weekend Daniel was in Leipzig Mission where some members of different partnership programs met. They made a kind of exchange about their experiences. He met a man from PNG too. Hel was from Madang and stays in Germany for three months. He is very engaged against an experiment for the first under water mining in PNG which is very dangerous.

At least I want to tell you that we have a new group member: His name is Falk and works in our church youth like Heike. He supports her because there is a lot of organisation to do for the project. All in all we are hope- and joyful about our partnership and the next exchange in 2014! Many people supported us and we are very thankful that God makes all these great experiences possible! We often miss PNG.

We send you all the best wishes, God bless you all!

Christine and the whole German group.

Christian Churches in China urged to become the 'Salt and Light' of the World.

By Reuben Mete

Da Wei Ge, one of the Young Lutheran Youth Leaders from China attending the 05^th International Leadership Consultation currently going on in Neuendettelsau, Germany concluded the individual participant’s introduction session presentation of national, individual and leadership backgrounds today. Mr. Ge was the second last presenter before South Korean’s Kim.

Young world leaders share their passions and talented openly during the 30 minutes introduction presentation and also share a lot of gifts. Nicaragu’s Sergio Rios Carillo was the first presenter beginning the sessions yesterday on a very high note. Brazil, Tanzania, Mozambique, German, Singapore, Philippines, Papua New Guinea, Australia and Malaysia also made very impressive presentation.

“Christianity first entered China in 635 A.D” said Mr. Ge. Afterwards Christianity entered China two more times, in the 13^th and 17^th Century. In the 19^th Century, Protestant Christianity was brought to China, but unfortunately it was associated with colonization and was seen as a ‘foreign religion’. In the 1950s, in order to change the image of Christianity as a foreign religion, Chinese Christians initiated the three-self Patriotic Movement. The churches in China took the road of self-administration, self-support and self-propagation and thereby earned respect and recognition from the Chinese people.

In 1958,Chinese Christians begun the practice of United Worship, based on the principle of mutual respect, brothers and sisters ‘bear with one another in love, making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.’Ge also mentioned that during the period of the Cultural Revolution (1966-1976), church life was eliminated. In 1979, with the implementation of the policy of religion freedom, church life resumed and the churches in China endeavored to move beyond ‘three-self’ to ‘three-well’ that is administering it, supporting it and propagating it well. 

Mr. Da Wei Ge trying out a Beijing Opera at the Presentation.

During the last 30 years, the development of Christianity and growth of the church in China have been obvious and various and ministries are taking root onward and bearing fruit upward. The church in China is really fully of God grace, and many new and unprecedented developments in the fields of theological renewal, church administration, theological education and training, publication, social service and international tiesare taking place. In 1998, a theological renewal movement was launched, showing that the church in China is growing not only in years, but also in wisdom, establishment its own theological voice to better spread the gospel and build up the churches in China and also to contribute to the voice for better spreading the gospel and building up the churches in China and to contribute to the ecumenical church movement. 

“The Churches in China are young but God is always accomplished abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine. Under the guidance of God, the churches in China will develop further and enhance every kind of ministry, endeavoring to be ‘the light and salt’ of the world and striving to promote social harmony and world peace” said Mr. Ge. He also mentions that churches in China faces heavy responsibility and has a long way to go. “Our hope is in God’s guidance and protection. We also hope for the prayers and support of brothers and sisters from ecumenical churches,” Ge said.