PC(USA) China Network

Dr. Sharon Taylor and I were privileged to travel to China as representatives of Shadyside Presbyterian Church in October. Sharon and I were part of a larger delegation of ten people traveling with the Outreach Foundation. Outreach is a Presbyterian organization which helps churches pair with missions all over the world, working especially in leadership development and evangelism.  We traveled with Outreach’s Executive Director, Rev. Dr. Rob Weingartner.  It was Rob’s first visit to China and so we had many doors opened to our group.  Our group leader was Dr. Peter Lim, the China Mission Specialist for Outreach Foundation.  Peter has numerous friends in leadership positions in China so we were blessed by meeting more officials than we had planned. We learned a lot from Peter during our two weeks together. We visited the cities of Shanghai, Jinan, Weifang, Beijing, Nanjing & Hangzhou. Three members of our group split off to visit Jiangyin to see the progress of a learning center their church, First Presbyterian of Wilmington, NC, helped to build.  The official dedication of the building was celebrated. 

Shadyside Presbyterian Church in Pittsburgh, PA was part of the Presbyterian Mission of Shantung Compound built in the1920’s.  Our church specifically built the Shadyside Hospital.  The Presbyterian Mission is located in Weifang, Shandong Province.  We visited with seminary and church officials in Jinan, where Shandong Seminary is located, and then drove to Weifang, where the Shandong Compound is located. We saw Shadyside Hospital surrounded by Shadyside Park. The beauty of Shadyside Park and the care given to the upkeep of the buildings certainly is in contrast to the horrors of war, disease and detainment that is the history of Japanese occupation in the 1940’s of Shandong Compound.  The care given to the landmarks shows the historical importance that lasts even today in Weifang.

Our tour group was well received by each delegation in China from the Religious Affairs Bureau to the rural churches. The government and church officials were found to be sincere about their support of the church in China.  The Chinese government is more open to church work than ever in the past.  The government realizes the social benefit of the church especially in regard to social programs for the church community.  The recent economic development of China brings also a shift from a “family/clan” based society to a “community” based society because so many of the rural dwelling Chinese are moving to larger cities and leaving their families.  The newcomers are attracted to the sense of community that a church can offer.

I am encouraged by what we witnessed in China. Christianity is growing, the government is supportive and the Christians are willing to partner with our churches to have mutually beneficial relationships. We have much to learn and much to teach.  Please continue to pray for God’s hand to guide us and our Chinese brothers and sisters to a better understanding of our cultures and Christ centered partnerships.

Blessings,

Wanda H. Sowell, Elder

Shadyside Presbyterian Church

Pittsburgh, PA