Courtesy: Canadian Bible Society

Chinese delegation visits Canada to build ministry relationships

TORONTO, ON—A delegation from China representing the Shanghai Christian Council (SCC)/ Three-Self Patriotic Movement (TSPM) visited Canada from August 12 to 18, 2015.

The SCC is the local governing body that recognizes approved Christian churches and ministries in the region of Shanghai, while TSPM is one of China’s largest Protestant denominations.

The delegation was hosted by the Canadian Bible Society, as SCC/TSPM is a key Bible ministry partner for the United Bible Societies, the international organization of Bible societies around the world.

“We are hopeful that one result of this visit will be strengthening the relationship with the SCC/TSPM,” says Don Hutchinson, Interim National Director of the Canadian Bible Society. “Given widely publicized reports about challenges faced by the Church in China, this is an opportunity to introduce our Christian brothers and sisters to the Church here in Canada.”

He adds, “Shanghai is the largest city in the world. Its population is roughly ten times the size of Toronto. The SCC has a positive reputation for being a council that permits a range of Christian Church expression that would align more closely with the range we would find in Canada, than is found in some other Chinese provinces.”

In addition to their time at the Canadian Bible Society, the delegation met with representatives from Tyndale University College & Seminary, which has a Chinese Ministry Program and Canadian Chinese School of Theology.

“We were delighted to welcome the China delegation to our school, because we believe that good theological education requires the cultivation of ministry relationships where expertise, scholarship, resources, and perspectives flow freely among those involved in the mission of global theological education," says Dr. Janet Clark, Senior Vice President Academic and Dean of Tyndale Seminary.

The delegates also experienced tours of Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal in addition to a variety of church visits.

(with files from Canadian Christian News Service)

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