Wednesday, December 10th, 2025 subscribe

Missionary Lens Captures China’s First Color Documentary Amidst the Civil War

The footage, known today as “Color Old Ankang (1947),” is regarded as the first color documentary filmed in China. Shot by Norwegian missionary Carl Mortensen using a Kodak 16mm camera, the film offers a rare and vibrant window into the daily lives, religious activities, and social customs of Ankang just two years before the founding of the People’s Republic of China.

Old Life in 21st-Century World: The Unwavering Faith of Rural Pastor Couple

Living on just 900 RMB (approx. $125 USD) a month, a rural pastor and his wife have spent decades serving God in conditions that seem forgotten by the modern world. From battling illness in a damp "insect zoo" of a home to driving a passenger tricycle for survival, their lives are marked by sacrificial love.

Digital Shepherding Reimagines Spiritual Presence Beyond the Pews

The digital transformation of ministry is no longer just about toggling between "online" and "offline" modes. Instead, it represents a profound reconstruction of how pastors connect with their flock, who is no longer defined solely by familiar faces in pews, but by fluid, fragmented, yet vividly real lives behind the screen.

Dr. Mano Emmanuel: Re-envisioning Theological Education's New Priorities and Church Unity in Sri Lanka

At the Sixth World Conference on Faith and Order in Egypt, Dr. Mano Emmanuel of Colombo Theological Seminary (CTS) discussed with China Christian Daily how CTS is revising its curriculum to address AI, Gen Z pastoral care, and mental health, and shared her insights on honor–shame cultures and Christian unity in Buddhist-majority Sri Lanka.

Hong Kong Christian Artists' Home Reframes 40th Anniversary Concert From Joy to Peace Amidst City’s Grief

The "Starry Night Before Christmas 2025", a two-night open-air concert organized by Artists' Home, a Christian Fellowship for actors in Hong Kong, is set to take place on December 23 and 24 at the AXA x WONDERLAND in West Kowloon. While the event celebrates the organization's milestone 40th anniversary, it arrives at a time when the city is still reeling from a recent tragic fire in Tai Po’s Wang Fuk Court.
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'We Are Not Separate': African Orthodox Perspective on Unity, Mission, and the Church

As a third-generation Orthodox Christian from Kenya and a professor of practical and public theology, Father Evangelos Thiani offers a unique perspective on the intersection of ancient tradition and African identity. In this interview with China Christian Daily, he discusses the history of the Orthodox Church in Kenya, the complex relationship between church and nationalism, and the "Incarnational Model" of mission. He also shares a message of solidarity with the Church in China.
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Photos of Fujian Grassroots Church Celebrating Joyful Pre-Christmas Praise Gathering

On December 6, Shancheng Church in Zhangpu County, a grassroots congregation in Zhangzhou, Fujian, held a pre-Christmas praise gathering featuring a variety of worship presentations.

Photos of First Church in Xi'an-Dongxinxiang Church

This photo collection offers a close look at Dongxinxiang Church—widely regarded as the first Christian church in Xi'an, Shaanxi. From its historic arched entrance and century-old sanctuary to its stained-glass windows, Ten Commandments plaques, and distinctive cross-topped roofline, the images highlight the enduring beauty and spiritual heritage of this landmark church in the heart of the ancient city.

'Light Has Come': Suzhou Centennial Church Begins Christmas Season With Tree Lighting, Charity Fair

On the evening of December 5, Changshu Church in Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, inaugurated its 2025 Christmas season with a "Light Has Come" tree-lighting ceremony and charity fair.

Old Life in 21st-Century World: The Unwavering Faith of Rural Pastor Couple

Living on just 900 RMB (approx. $125 USD) a month, a rural pastor and his wife have spent decades serving God in conditions that seem forgotten by the modern world. From battling illness in a damp "insect zoo" of a home to driving a passenger tricycle for survival, their lives are marked by sacrificial love.

Dr. Mano Emmanuel: Re-envisioning Theological Education's New Priorities and Church Unity in Sri Lanka

At the Sixth World Conference on Faith and Order in Egypt, Dr. Mano Emmanuel of Colombo Theological Seminary (CTS) discussed with China Christian Daily how CTS is revising its curriculum to address AI, Gen Z pastoral care, and mental health, and shared her insights on honor–shame cultures and Christian unity in Buddhist-majority Sri Lanka.

Call for Papers: Chinese Ecclesiology in the Making

A call for papers has been announced for the upcoming conference "Churches in Global Chinese Communities: Chinese Ecclesiology in the Making."

Hong Kong Christian Community Responds to Support Victims of Deadliest Fire

On the afternoon of November 26, 2025, a level-5 fire broke out at the Wang Fuk Court housing estate in Tai Po, New Territories, Hong Kong, sweeping across seven buildings and causing multiple fatalities and injuries. In the aftermath, churches and Christian organizations in Hong Kong responded promptly.

Northwest Rural Family's Faith Journey: While Body Wasn't Healed, Soul Saved

Twenty-three years after a tragedy shook a rural family in Northwest China, two sisters who once wavered in despair now pastor a small congregation with quiet perseverance.

From Table Tennis to Basketball: Word4Asia Deepens China-U.S. People-to-People Exchanges

Dr Gene Wood, president of the U.S.-based Word4Asia Consulting International, told China Christian Daily that the organization will bring a high school basketball team to China next August, marking a new step in strengthening China–U.S. youth and people-to-people exchanges following this year’s successful Amity Cup.

ERRChina to Hold Online Book Club on the Bible Mission of Contemporary China

ERRChina will hold an online book club on From Banned Book to Bestseller: The Mission in Contemporary China on December 3.

When Personal Charisma Becomes a Double-Edged Sword in Church Ministry

By reaffirming the core principle of Christ-centeredness—allowing truth to guide judgment and serve as the bridge of communication—churches can replace blind following with rational reflection and sincere dialogue, thus mitigating the dangers inherent in the "double-edged sword" of personal charisma.

Heaven, Hell, or Something Else? Theologians Debate What Comes After Death

What happens after we die? Dr. Veli-Matti Kärkkäinen argued for an "optimism of salvation" which rejects both the certainty of universal salvation and traditional views of eternal torment.

The Fool Says, 'There Is no God'

From David’s era to today, atheism has become more vocal, with some relying on science to deny God; yet this reflects a lack of understanding of divine wisdom and creation.

Deeper Joy of Palm Sunday

On the way home, the sunlight seemed especially radiant. I thought to myself, the next time someone asks why I’m joyful, I won’t just say, “Because I believe in Jesus.” I’ll tell them, “Because I know a Lord who died for me and rose again!” That is the source of my joy.