World Of Witness - China

Ministry

Mennonite Church Canada Witness is a key partner in Mennonite Partners in China (MPC), formerly China Educational Exchange (CEE), which for 27 years has been the primary vehicle by which Mennonites have served in that country. Placing Christian English teachers in Chinese universities and colleges is an important avenue of service in modern China. Christian teachers of English have opportunities to model Christian friendship and to discuss matters of faith with students.

Through MPC, Mennonite Church Canada Witness is nurturing relationships with churches, both in Sichuan province and in the former Mennonite mission area around the Yellow River. Support is given to Chinese church leaders to participate in a variety of church leadership training programs. Workers administer social development programs which enhance the witness of the church, including a hearing improvement project and a student sponsorship program. Witness workers also seek to nurture the development of the Chinese churches through church-based English programs and support for rural pastors. The growing Chinese Christian Church represents only a small minority of the population, but it is working hard to address the needs brought about by social changes of staggering proportions.

Celebrations

• Several local Christian partners take on a stronger role in helping to discern ways to strengthen the witness of the Chinese church.
• Mennonite Church Canada Witness has sponsored numerous pastors for leadership training in China.
• Witness workers celebrate the joy of friendship between teachers and students.
• In 2007, Mennonite Partners in China (MPC) began a summer camp program in the US, sending middle school students to study and travel for 3 weeks.
• Schools and universities are continually asking for more MPC teachers.
• After the Class
• A congregation of 300 grows, sharing one Bible!
• Being the church together, all the way to China!
• A Presence with Leavening Influence

Challenges

• The demand for English teachers is greater than the supply. There is still a critical need for MPC teachers.
• The growing Chinese church is faced with a critical shortage of pastoral leaders. In some areas, there is one pastor for 10,000-15,000 believers. The need for leadership training and discipleship is critical.
• Mental health issues in China are at crisis levels according to one of our Chinese partners. The suicide rate is among the highest in the world, including at universities.

Partners

• Mennonite Partners in China (a partnership of Mennonite Church Canada Witness, Mennonite Mission Network, Eastern Mennonite Mission and Mennonite Central Committee)
• Various universities and colleges throughout China

Workers

• Bender, Philip and Julie
• Dick, Bob
• Hanson, Jeanette and Todd
• Suderman, Kathi and Rod
• Wiebe, Mark & Lisa

Celebration Moments

• The Aroma of Christ
• God's Love Leads to Earthquake Relief
• The World is Getting Smaller
• A Presence with Leavening Influence
• After the Class
• Being the church together, all the way to China!
• A congregation of 300 grows, sharing one Bible!

Get Involved

• "I am a Peace Builder"
• Teach the Children
• Made in China - Rural Pastors

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