Following the overall aim of “building up the churches well according to the Three Self principles”, the delegation visited local churches and church leaders. The visitors from Shanghai focused in particular on the situation regarding theological reconstruction, the spiritual lives in local churches, the training of leaders, the development of social service ministries, and the idea of building harmonious churches.

With the orphans of Childhope Home in Zhao County in Hebei Province

The team not only visited provincial capital cities and the municipality of Tianjin, but also split into two smaller groups to visit some smaller cities and counties. In the course of these visits, discussion meetings with local believers were held. Wherever the visitors came, both fellow church workers and ordinary believers were tremendously encouraged by the visit and pointed out that such visits helped to promote their local ministries.

With the colleagues of Madian Church in Henan Province

The visits revealed that local churches have done a lot of work in strengthening theological reconstruction, training volunteers, setting up administrative structures and promoting a united and harmonious Church. Meanwhile, difficulties and problems remain, such as heresies and infiltration. In these respects, local churches need more guidance from the national TSPM/CCC.