This is my story - Hong Kong/Taiwan - 75

75 – Visit to Nanjing

We left Beijing for Nanjing. When we arrived at our Hotel, there were three church ministers from the Three Self Movement waiting at the lobby to welcome us. After checking in, we were taken straight to the Nanjing Theological Seminary and given a tour of the building and told its history.

During the Cultural Revolution this Seminary was taken over by the Red Guards. It was returned to the church in 1980. At the time of our visit, there were some 200 students from all over China resident there preparing themselves for the ministry. We were told many young people were embracing Christianity and there was a real shortage of pastors.

We were introduced to Ms Tan Li-ying of the Amity Foundation. She explained to us something of the work of this organisation. Bishop K H Ting was then the President of this charity established in 1985 as a non-governmental organization created at the initiative of Chinese Christians. It was through the Bishop’s vision, leadership and support that Amity Foundation entered into cooperation and ecumenical partnership with churches around the world. (He passed away at the age of 98 on 22^nd November 2012)

Ms Tan Ly-ying took us to see a Home and Centre for Mental Health which was also a research centre. Medical students from other Chinese cities were sent there to do their post- graduate training.

Our hosts then took us to see the Amity Press where Bibles in their thousands were printed each day. With the help given by United Bible Societies, the Amity Press is still sending out Bibles to people all over China hungry for God’s word. The world’s largest Bible Printing Press in Nanjing celebrated the production of their 100^th million copy of the Bible on 8^th November 2012.

That same evening Rev. Peter Han very graciously invited us to partake in what he termed a ‘simple meal.’ That ‘simple meal’ in fact was a sumptuous dinner in a Restaurant!  Among the guests was Professor Sun, a retired lecturer who displayed considerable knowledge of The Salvation Army.

In the city of Nanjing there were at that time five churches and Commissioner Robert Bath was invited to give the sermon in the main one, the first International Secretary from The Salvation Army to do so in China since the country opened up. His message was ably interpreted by our Major Karen Lam. The church was packed to capacity, many stood at the doorways and in the church compound. One elderly Lieutenant Chang was taking down copious notes of the sermon. Later I discovered that he used to work in the Editorial Department at China’s Territorial Headquarters.

The Commissioner concluded his sermon with a prayer and while he was praying, a stream of seekers came forward to kneel at the altar while others just stood near it in silent prayer.  No invitation had been given at all for seekers to come forward. The movement to the Altar was so spontaneous and I believe it was the movement of the Holy Spirit in the hearts of the people. They just responded to the promptings of the Spirit. Others remained in their pews in silent prayer. After the benediction was pronounced, we moved to the main door, but with more than a thousand people, there was no time to shake hands with every one. Our hosts wanted to take us out for lunch and we had to hurry and just waved good bye to the crowd.

Back in the hotel we were met by an elderly couple Lieutenant and Mrs. Zhang Bin-wen. He spoke of the days in Mukden working with Brigadier Cedervall. Our hearts were encouraged as we heard of the evangelistic efforts of the pioneers in China.

Before we concluded our tour a quick visit was made to the former Nanjing Corps Hall in Chung Hua Street. As we walked through the hall, we were greeted by the residents; some of them remembered The Salvation Army. We were then taken by the Rev. Lin Te-an to a number of tourist spots in Nanjing. He spoke about the thriving work of The Salvation Army before the Cultural Revolution and his joy in working with Salvationists.

The Sunday ended with The Army hosting these kind pastors to dinner. They had shown us much courtesy and hospitality during our visit. They spared no effort in making us feel welcome. The fellowship with our Chinese Salvationists and other Christian was enriching and the words of the hymn “In Christ there is no east or west sprang to my mind again. It was a fellowship of hearts that differences in political systems cannot destroy.

The Chinese are open and receptive to the gospel. We cannot expect the church to function in the same way as in the western world. China has its own political system and culture that even for me a Singaporean and ethnic Chinese may not fully comprehend. The Lord can work His way through any system for He is almighty. Missionaries need to learn that each nation has its own culture and foreigner must learn to adapt.