During a pre-conference session on Tuesday afternoon, a Chinese pastor was asked what it means to him to be a part of a conference like Reformation 500. He reflected on how the history of the Chinese church is short, and that conferences like this remind him that it is part of something longer and larger. It offers an opportunity to connect with brothers and sisters from all over the world. They are not alone. They are part of the church universal.
This conference reflects his comment; there are attendees from China, Hong Kong, Macau, Malaysia, Singapore, The Philippines, The United States, Canada, and Australia (to name a few).
We sang this truth together during the opening session of the conference, in the great hymn “The Church’s One Foundation:”
The Church’s One Foundation is Jesus Christ, her Lord;
She is his new creation by water and the Word.
From heaven he came and sought her, to be his holy bride;
With his own blood he bought her, and for her life he died.Elect from every nation, yet one over all the earth;
Her charter of salvation: One Lord, one faith, one birth.
One holy name she blesses, partakes one holy food.
And to one hope she presses, with every grace endued.
What a joy to sing this truth together with more than 3000 brothers and sisters.
John Piper opened the conference with a message: “The Gospel-Shaped Heart: Treasuring the Glories of Christ,” reminding us of the reason for which we are created, namely the glory of Christ.
Please pray for the conference participants, that our hearts will be reformed and renewed by a fresh encounter with the gospel.
You can follow our Twitter feed @ChinaSourceOrg for the latest from the conference.
Joann Pittman
Joann Pittman is Vice President of Partnership and China Engagement and editor of ZGBriefs. Prior to joining ChinaSource, Joann spent 28 years working in China, as an English teacher, language student, program director, and cross-cultural trainer for organizations and businesses engaged in China. She has also taught Chinese at the University …View Full Bio
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