Chinese Churches Convene to Discuss Role in Global Evangelism and Strategy for Mainland China

The Chinese Congress on World Evangelization convened in Hong Kong, drawing approximately 1,500 representatives from Chinese churches worldwide. The event, held in the Kowloon City Baptist Church, focused on themes of unity among the international Chinese community, the role of Chinese Christians in global evangelism, and strategies for sharing the Gospel with mainland China. The congress was organized under the auspices of the 1974 Lausanne Congress on evangelization, with Philip Teng of the Christian and Missionary Alliance serving as its chairman.

The eight-day gathering took place in a 1,600-seat venue, where 200 volunteers assisted in organizing the event and managing costs, keeping the total budget at $160,000. Participants covered their own travel and lodging expenses. Teng, who holds multiple leadership roles within the Christian and Missionary Alliance, emphasized during his welcome speech that it was time for the Chinese church to shift from being recipients of the Gospel to active contributors in global evangelism.

While the congress reflected a strong sense of ethnic identity, it also acknowledged the historical contributions of Western missionaries in spreading Christianity to China. Gladys Ward, a veteran missionary and educator at the Alliance Bible Seminary, was honored with a commemorative Bible for her fifty years of service. The event also welcomed non-Chinese observers from over thirty denominations, missions, and publishing organizations.

Organizing the congress in Hong Kong required careful diplomacy. As a British crown colony, Hong Kong’s government sought to avoid international tensions, particularly given the sensitive political context. The congress avoided making statements about the future of evangelization in mainland China, reflecting the delicate balance required to navigate the region’s complex geopolitical landscape.

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