Page 30 - Preservation for the Documentation of Chinese Christianity

Chairperson’s Remarks

Rev. Dr. Tai Ho-fai, Nicholas

“The Lord is good, a stronghold in a day of trouble; he protects those

who take refuge in him." (Nahum1:7, NRSV)
During my time in the youth fellowship, we always sang a extreme climate, churches cannot be concerned with just their
hymn called “God Hath Not Promised”. The words say: “God own affairs. Rather, the churches must pursue unity in order to
hath not promised skies always blue, Joy without sorrow, peace carry out their mission. They must follow the prayer of Jesus
without pain. But God hath promised strength for the day, Grace who asked "that they may all be one. As you, Father are in me
for the trials, help from above." I know more deeply about my and I am in you, may they also be in us, so that the world may
Lord from this song. The verse from Nahum1:7 also reminds us believe that you have sent me" (John17:21). We are grateful
that troubles are inevitable in life, and yet everyone has his or that no matter whether it was Edinburgh 2010 or Cape Town
her own way to deal with them. Those who believe in God will 2010, the so-called “ecumenical” or “evangelical” camps could
rely on His protection, as He accepts those who are looking for not be divided. They all had to cooperate with one another to
fulfill the mission given from God. At the conference of the
Him.
Lausanne Movement, it was the first time to invite the General
Last year, disasters happened all around the world. On Secretary of the World Council of Churches, Rev. Dr. Olav F.
August 8, 2011, heavy rain in Zhouqu county of Kansu province Tveit, to give the opening address. Dr. Tveit reminded the
led to serious landslides. Many buildings collapsed and many participants that “The needs of the world for reconciliation with
residents were buried underneath. At least three villages were God, with one another, and with nature are too big for a divided
completely destroyed. Then there are over a billion people in church.” Thanks be to God! Last year, there was progress for
the world who go to bed hungry every night. This year, the Horn the world ecumenical movement, such as the Global Christian
of Africa experienced serious drought especially in Somalia and Forum. Besides discussing the traditional concerns of church
unity, the Forum provided an opportunity for evangelicals,
Eritrea where millions were suffering from starvation and
desperately waiting for help. In March, an earthquake in Japan Pentecostals and other denominations to explore issues of
triggered a tsunami and led to dangerous leakage at the nuclear church unity. This forum will hold a conference in Indonesia in
power plant in Fukushima, seriously affecting Japan and nearby October. As for local church unity ministry, you may refer to the
Church Unity and Relations Committee’s report.
countries. In every case, humans were also at fault in these
situations, giving us pause for reflection about our role in these
disasters. We live in a world where people are destroying and Last year, our Council did more communications and
exchanges with churches in mainland China. In September, our
exploiting, leading to horrible consequences for everyone to
Council was invited by the China Christian Council to visit
bear.
Shanghai and join the World Exposition 2010. We all
In response to the above disasters, the Five Loaves and Two experienced Shanghai’s and the nation’s achievement gained
Fish office of Hong Kong Christian Council appealed for from organizing such a global event. During the visit, Hong
donations from its members and the general public. We need to Kong Christian Council and China Christian Council were
involved in fruitful exchanges on the issues of social services
hold fast to the spirit of mercy from our Lord and witness to the
reality that He is "3 stronghold in a day of troubls, he protects and training. In June, our Council organized a delegation to visit
Guizhou as the first ecumenical church organization to visit the

those who take rsfuge in hirn.'1We n©6d to be actively involved
Guizhou church. This visit enriched the understanding of the
in the troubles of the world by offering aid and assistance.
development of churches there and also enhanced the
connection between both sides.
Last year was the centenary of the 1910 Edinburgh World
Missionary Conference. Two international conferences took
place: Edinburgh 2010 was held in June in Scotland, and Cape To conclude, I wish to thank all the colleagues and
committee members for their participation and hard work, and
Town 2010 was held in October in South Africa by the Lausanne
Movement. Both conferences passed on a very clear message also our member churches and partner churches for their
that mission and church unity are inseparable. When the world support in moving the Council forward. Let's continue working
is facing economic hardships, the gap between rich and poor together for God’s mission in a spirit of unity through our Lord
reaching a dangerous level, and global warming leading to Jesus Christ!

“Such is the confidence that we have through Christ toward God. ”(2 Corinthians 3:4, NRSV)

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