From November 17–25, three cities in China are welcoming a top delegation from the World Council of Churches (WCC), showcasing the vitality of China's growing church, its theological education and social ministries, while also hosting the WCC executive committee meeting in Hangzhou.
The delegation includes Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay, WCC general secretary; Bishop Prof. Dr Heinrich Bedford-Strohm, moderator of the WCC Central Committee; Rev. Merlyn Hyde Riley, vice-moderator of the WCC Central Committee; Doug Chial, director of the WCC Office of the General Secretariat; and Marianne Ejdersten, WCC director of communication.
Shanghai: Strengthening Ties with CCC&TSPM
On November 17, the China Christian Council & the National Committee of Three-Self Patriotic Movement of the Protestant Church in China (CCC&TSPM) leaders welcomed the delegation and offered an overview of Protestant Christianity in China, which has grown to include tens of millions of believers, according to WCC news. Each year, an estimated 350,000 people are newly baptized, and 22 theological institutions train pastors and ministry workers nationwide.
At the CCC headquarters in Shanghai, the delegation met with Rev. Xu Xiaohong, chairperson of the TSPM; Rev. Wu Wei, president of CCC; and Rev. Dr Lin Manhong, residential vice president and general secretary of CCC. They introduced the role of CCC&TSPM in strengthening communication with local churches, fostering exchanges, and promoting theological renewal that is biblically grounded, rooted in Chinese culture, and capable of articulating Christian faith in contemporary Chinese contexts.
Nanjing: Theological Education and Social Service
Following a visit to a green energy demonstration project in Shanghai, the delegation traveled to Nanjing to visit Nanjing Union Theological Seminary—the national seminary of the Protestant church in China. Established in 1952, the seminary has long trained pastors, scholars, and church workers, emphasizing the holistic formation of students in "spirit, virtue, knowledge, health, and community."
On its new campus in Jiangning District, the seminary aims to accommodate 500 students and continues to operate bachelor's, master's, and correspondence programs. The original campus will remain in use as a research center.
In Nanjing, the WCC delegation also visited the Amity Press and Amity Foundation, which is celebrating its 40th anniversary.
Amity Printing, jointly founded by the Amity Foundation and United Bible Societies in 1986, has become one of the world's largest producers of Bibles. During the WCC visit on November 18, the cumulative number of Bibles printed surpassed 286 million.
The Amity Foundation, established in 1985 by Chinese Christians led by Bishop K. H. Ting, now serves communities through education, healthcare, social welfare, environmental protection, disaster relief, and international development. Its programs have benefited more than ten million people in China and abroad.
At a special anniversary event attended by 300 participants, including 90 international guests, Pillay delivered congratulatory remarks to the Amity Foundation upon its 40th anniversary, praising Amity's long-term commitment to supporting vulnerable communities, advancing education and health, promoting sustainable development, and fostering interfaith and intercultural dialogue.
"You also demonstrate how Christians can actively contribute to both social welfare and betterment in China as well as the larger international humanitarian endeavour," Pillay said. "Amity's holistic orientation aligns so well, for instance, with the UN's 16 Sustainable Development Goals and applies as well internationally as it does in the whole range of your charitable and social-service activities at home in China."
He reflected that, during nearly ten years of Amity International's office in Geneva, the foundation has proven to be a positive and constructive partner with the WCC. "We see you as exemplary and important partners in the ecumenical Pilgrimage of Justice, Reconciliation, and Unity, which invites Christians from all lands and all persuasions to rise above national boundaries and religious differences to work together for peace and justice," Pillay said.
WCC Leaders' Reflection on Their First Days in China
"Our first days in China have been very impressive," Bedford-Strohm said. Coming directly from the COP30 climate talks in Brazil, he was particularly struck by China's strong push toward ecological transformation.
"We are witnessing how China takes a lead from a major polluter to a forerunner in ecological technology," he said. "I am convinced that ecological transformation will also be good for the future success of economies all over the world. As churches, we support this transformation as a consequence of our calling to care for God's creation."
"It was really good to meet with the China Christian Council and learn about their work in contextualising Christianity in China, the rapid growth of Christianity in the country, and their relationships with other faiths and other Christian groups," Pillay said. "It is good to witness a strong commitment to Christian teachings and the desire to address ministry challenges in China."
He also expressed gratitude for Amity's contributions to global Bible printing and distribution.
Many committee members are visiting China for the first time. "We are looking forward to our executive committee meeting in Hangzhou to listen, learn, and journey together as pilgrims and co-pilgrims in justice, reconciliation, and unity with our fellow members and the people we encounter in China," Pillay said.
Hangzhou: WCC Executive Committee Meeting
From November 20–25, the WCC executive committee is convening in Hangzhou at the invitation of CCC. The meeting is exploring the theme "Christ, culture, and context," and includes the approval of 2026 plans and budgets, as well as discussions on the implementation of WCC strategies.
Each day, a local parish is hosting the committee for morning prayer and thematic encounters on women in ministry, contextualization, interfaith relations, parish ministry, and theological education.
Participants are also learning about the history of Protestantism in China, including the Three-Self Movement initiated in 1950 and the emergence of a post-denominational national church.
During the opening session, Rev. Wu Wei presented a special Nicaea 1700th anniversary Bible to the WCC.
Many committee members are visiting China for the first time. "We are looking forward to our executive committee meeting in Hangzhou to listen, learn, and journey together as pilgrims and co-pilgrims in justice, reconciliation, and unity with our fellow members and the people we encounter in China," Pillay said.
