First Presbyterian Church of Honolulu in Hawaii, U.S.A.,
invited a Chinese Christian delegation to visit Hawaiian
churches on March 20-26, 2006. The Chinese delegation included
Rev. Mei Kangjun, Editor-in-Chief of the Tian Feng magazine
and Executive Associate General Secretary of TSPM, Rev.
Xie Sheng, a staff member of the Overseas Relations Department,
Rev. Guo Feng from Shanghai CC/TSPM, Rev. Li Yonghong from
Beijing CC/TSPM, and Rev. Wang Hong from Shaanxi CC/TSPM.
During their stay in the U.S.A., the Chinese guests enjoyed
the hospitality and friendly sharing of their hosts, Rev.
Chen Dan and the Honolulu First Presbyterian Church.
At an information conference
The group members sang hymns at the information conference
Honolulu, the capital of Hawaii, has a population of 800,000
people, and First Presbyterian Church of Honolulu, with
a membership of 1,500 believers, exerts a certain social
influence in that city. During their visit, the delegation
learned about the church's devotion to social service ministries,
and also to God's work abroad. They sponsor many children
in Third World countries, they help support the work of
the international organization World Compassion, and they
also contribute aid to Chinese poverty relief projects of
the Amity Foundation. Rev. Chen Dan (the church's senior
pastor) and his wife expressed their esteem for the Three-Self
Chinese Church.
A picture of Rev. Guo Feng, Rev. Wang Hong and Ms. Cathy
Call
The Chinese delegation also met with top officials of the
Honolulu Government. The assistant to the Mayor was very
keen on hearing about Christianity in China and the increasingly
important role the Chinese Church plays in society with
expanding religious freedom. To express their welcome and
friendship, the city government officials presented a plate
with Honolulu City Hall to the delegation, praising the
Chinese Christian delegation for being messengers of friendship
between the peoples of China and Hawaii.
Rev. Dan Chun presents a gift on behalf of Hawaiian First
Presbyterian Church
Rev. Dan Chun preaches in the Sunday Worship
During the visit, the delegation held three information
conferences, sharing the current development of different
ministries in the Chinese Protestant Church. This opportunity
to meet with people from all levels of the local society
helped to address and clear misunderstandings of the present
situation in China by those who have never visited China
or have limited knowledge of its recent history.
Rev. Mei Kangjun, the chief editor of Tian Feng is with
the principle of Fuller Seminary
