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CLE Ministries

1  Consultation of Chinese Gospel Work (Held in China in Mandarin)

Since 1994 CLE has been hosting annually the Consultation of Chinese Gospel Work.  The intention is to promote communication and fellowship between overseas Chinese churches and the China Christian Council, and to develop various channels for cooperation.  The last Consultation was held in April 2002.  The major outcome of the Consultation was the deepening of cooperation between Chinese theological seminaries and overseas theological institutions.  It was held in Shanghai.  For 2003, please see the CLE web site and the Christianity In China Calendar of Events.

 

2  Pasadena Symposium on China Church Ministry (Held in the USA in English)

Since 1999 CLE has been hosting this annual Symposium.  Leaders from the Church of China fly to the USA to meet with executives from American mission agencies and church bodies.  This opportunity to come together has resulted in many cooperative efforts, including visits between the Chinese and American churches, publication of evangelical Christian books in China, and cooperation in theological programs between Chinese and American seminaries.  The fourth Symposium was held in February 2002.  The Fifth Symposium in 2003 will be held at the Azusa Pacific University’s Haggard graduate School of Theology, Azusa, California. Please consult the CLE web site and the Christianity In China Calendar of Events.

 

3  Lay Pastors and Volunteer Workers Training

The Church of China has been growing rapidly and the demand for pastoral workers has greatly exceeded the supply.  According to statistics, the China Christian Council has only one ordained pastor for every 10,000 believers.  Thus, the ministry of the Chinese Church is mainly carried out by lay volunteer workers.  In the early 1990's CLE has cooperated with the Zhejiang Christian Council to set up five prototype training centers for lay pastors.  This earlier model is now duplicated into a network of over 600 training centers throughout China.  Recently, CLE has been working with the Narthersole Foundation in Hong Kong to support China’s lay pastor training materials for use in this network.

 

4  Rebuilding Dilapidated Churches in Impoverished Regions

Through the new religious policy of the Chinese government, the Chinese Church has reclaimed many old buildings that were previously confiscated.  Though many of the buildings have been returned to the Christians, many congregations in the impoverished regions were no able to occupy them because of the lack of financial resources for refurbishment.  A number of congregations meet in condemned buildings.  The lack of usable facilities has become a major limiting factor to the ministry growth in many of the impoverished regions.  CLE felt the strategic significance of this particular issue, and over the past several years made donations to help the impoverished communities in several provinces such as Xinjiang, Anhui, and Zhejian, with their rebuilding efforts.  So far, CLE has assisted over 30 congregations in these impoverished communities.  It is interesting to note that it requires only $10,000 U.S. to build a new sanctuary for a congregation of 500 in China.  We welcome your church mission committee to support this project.

 

5  Theological Education in China

There are presently 22 seminaries in China, with the task of producing pastors for local churches.  CLE has participated in theological education in a significant way over the past few years.  Besides making capital funding available for campus development, CLE has also played a role in promoting exchange and partnership relations between the Chinese seminaries and overseas theological institutions.  The China Graduate School of Theology in Hong Kong has been a key leader in this promotion effort.  We are also glad to announce that Fuller Seminary has also recently indicated an interest in establishing an exchange for the exploration of East-West relation  for theological education and research.  In the recent years, CLE also helped Zhejiang Seminary and Yanjing Seminary in the computerization of the library systems and the training of library administrators.  Presently CLE is also devoting much effort to encourage the Chinese Church gain a balanced and positive view of evangelical theology and its possible contribution to China's theological development.

 

6  Assistance for Seminarians and Graduates in the Impoverished Regions

Churches in the impoverished regions do not only face a lack of adequate facilities, they also have limited ability to provide a decent salary for their Christian workers.  In order to give assistance to the impoverished regions, the China Christian Council has  established since 1994 a scholarship fund to provide tuition money for the seminary students from those regions.  Furthermore, the China Christian Council has also established an assistance fund for seminary graduates who are willing to work in churches in the impoverished areas.  CLE has participated in this ministry from the very beginning.  Of all the various projects we have undertaken in China, this is the most spiritually rewarding.  Our lives have been touched, blessed and challenged by the many real life testimonies of God's servants in those difficult situations.

 

7  Christian Publications

It is estimated that the Christian population in the registered churches of China is 20 million including 15 million baptized adults in 2000.  Indeed this is a huge market for Christian publications.  However, the Chinese Church is not able to satisfactorily serve the need.  Amity Press has devoted its full energy to the printing and distribution of Bibles to the churches.  However, the publication of devotionals and Christian study materials is still underdeveloped.  Since 1994, CLE has partnered with the China Christian Council to publish over 20 books.  This has encouraged many other Christian publishers to heed the challenge and join the effort.

 

8  Ministry to Disabled People

China has over 100 million disabled people.  They have great needs both physically and spiritually.  In the recent years, Chinese Christians have caught a glimpse of the vision, and are growing a burden for ministering to the disabled.  In 2000, CLE reached an understanding with the Chinese Church to promote this ministry.  (Fortunately, Educational Services Exchange with China has been working with the disabled in China for over a decade.)  In October 2001, CLE facilitated Joni Ericson Tada's visit to China.  During the visit, the Chinese translation of her autobiography, Joni, was published and marketed.  This book is now endorsed by the China Disabled People's Federation to the handicapped community in China.  CLE is looking forward to a very meaningful ministry of partnership with Chinese Christians for the service of the disabled.

 

9  Short-term Missions and Pray-for China Tour

CLE is organizing American Christians for short-term missions trips to China, ranging from two weeks to two months in duration.  In the past, we have sent medical teams to the impoverished regions.  We have also sent professionals to participate in rural and agricultural developments.  We have organized groups to visit orphanages and disabled people ministries.  We have also placed teachers in various lay pastor training programs.  For those who could only afford a two-week trip, we can arrange a Prayer Tour, visiting churches during the itinerary, blessing the cities, governments and communities where the group visits, and interceding for the Christians, church leaders and the Gospel ministry of the Chinese Church.

 

10  English Language Training Program

CLE is recruiting Christians from America who could spend a year to teach English in various Chinese seminaries and universities.  The requirements are simple: native speakers of English with a bachelor's degree, and no teaching experience is needed.  We are also looking for American host families who will provide a total-immersion English environment for Chinese seminarians doing graduate studies in the USA.

 

 

 

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