Church Planting Ministry
As FECA is currently in transition, the focus of domestic church planting in the United States this year has been primarily on promoting the Los Angeles City-to-City Intensive Training. However, our overseas church planting efforts have experienced renewal and breakthroughs. A summary report is as follows:
1. Promoting the Los Angeles City-to-City Intensive Training and Gospel Movement
FECA partnered with several churches in the Greater Los Angeles area and Good TV USA to host the Los Angeles City-to-City Intensive Training, which focuses on the gospel. In addition to pastors and church leaders from local churches, participants also included pastors from Texas, San Francisco, South America (Brazil and Peru), and Hong Kong.
Together with City-to-City Taiwan, we explored the possibility of expanding the City-to-City Intensive Training Course to other regions such as San Francisco, South America, and Hong Kong. Missionaries and pastors from these areas expressed great enthusiasm and anticipation. FECA aims to continue promoting this training course and the Gospel-Centered Movement in the coming years so that churches across regions can become gospel-centered.
2. Gospel Station Updates in Vladimir, Russia
Since last year, the Chinese Church of St. Petersburg has set up a new gospel station in Vladimir, Russia. The first welcome event, held the previous year, drew over 20 Chinese students. The second event, held in September this year, attracted 28 participants. The program featured games, worship, testimonies, and a shared meal, all in a warm and joyful atmosphere.
A new student shared that, even though his class had over 40 new students, most were hesitant to attend church gatherings. He said he would invite more friends to join future events. Rev. Paul Zhao continues to encourage the eight newly baptized brothers to develop the habit of daily devotion and Bible reading, and to participate in weekly online worship services. We pray that in the coming year, more new friends will come to faith and bear abundant spiritual fruit.
3. Church Planting Ministry at Tameside, Manchester, U.K.
FECA currently provides financial support for the full-time pastor's salary at a Tameside church. After review and assessment, the FECA Governing Board has decided to continue supporting church planting among new immigrants from Hong Kong in the United Kingdom next year.
Since the beginning of this year, the church’s minister has returned to Hong Kong to care for her sick mother, and Rev. Aaron Chan and his wife have taken on the pastoral duties. The church currently has an average Sunday attendance of 55, including 15 brothers in the men’s group, 21 sisters in the women’s group, and eight young men in the Young Adult Group.
From July 9–21, a short-term mission team to the U.K. was led by Rev. Eric Lam, Senior Pastor of FEC Arcadia, with Rev. Albert Wong from FECA assisting. The team consisted of seven members. During the trip, the team held mental health seminars, made gospel home visits, and led a Gospel Sunday service. They also helped with youth fellowship ministry and meal service for a joint high school retreat organized by the Chinese Overseas Christian Mission (COCM).
Meanwhile, the Quality Acting Troupe participated in the mission trip by performing three gospel drama evangelistic events in Yorkshire and Manchester, during which 11 people made decisions for Christ.
After returning to the U.S., the mission team shared their experiences following a Sunday service at FEC Arcadia, attended by more than 60 people. They also set up an exhibit booth and led a workshop at the FECA Joint Missions Conference in October, with about 30 participants.
We thank God that more brothers and sisters have developed an interest and a burden for the church-planting ministry in the U.S., eager to learn more and get involved. FECA plans to organize another short-term mission trip next year to continue supporting church planting efforts in the U.K.
4. Taixi Community Center on Taiwan’s West Coast Missions
Last year, Minister Alan Liang shared at the Church Planting Committee meeting about church planting and missions along Taiwan’s west coast. He highlighted the needs of the newly established Taixi Community Center in Yunlin County, which is overseen by Yunlin Blessed and Blessing Church. The ministry focuses on evangelism and poverty relief to meet the urgent needs of the local community.
The Church Planting Committee has approved $10,000 in funding this year to support the Taixi Community Center, helping it serve the community more effectively and spread the gospel more broadly.
由於「聯會」今年正處於轉型期間，故此美國本土植堂事工只着重推動《洛杉磯城市動力密集課程》。海外植堂事工卻有更新與突破。以下是簡略的報告∶
1. 推動《洛杉磯城市動力密集課程》及福音運動
「聯會」今年特別與大洛杉磯地區多間教會及北美好消息電視台合作，舉辦以福音為中心的《洛杉磯城市動力密集課程》。與會者除了本地教牧同工及教會領袖，亦包括來自德州、三藩市、南美洲（巴西、秘魯）及香港的教牧同工。
我們與〈台灣城市引力協會〉共同探討將《城市動力訓練課程》推廣至三藩市、南美洲及香港等地的可能性，來自不同地區的宣教士與牧者們均表達渴望與期待。「聯會」盼望在未來幾年能持續推動《城市動力訓練課程》及城市福音運動，使各地教會能成為以福音為中心的教會。
2. 俄羅斯弗拉基米爾（Vladimir）福音事工進展
聖彼得堡華人基督教會自去年起，於俄羅斯弗拉基米爾城設立福音站。去年首次舉辦迎新會，共有二十多位中國留學生參加，而今年9月26日舉行的第二次迎新會也有二十八人出席。聚會內容包括遊戲、敬拜、見證分享及聚餐，氣氛熱烈融洽。
其中一位新朋友分享在他班上有四十多位新生，但大多數不敢參加教會活動，他表示未來會帶更多同學一同參與。
趙保羅牧師持續鼓勵八位剛受洗的弟兄建立每日靈修與讀經的習慣，並參與每主日的網上敬拜聚會。祈盼未來一年，能有更多新朋友信主，結出更多美好的屬靈果子。
3. 英國曼徹斯特 Tameside 福音教會植堂事工
目前「聯會」正資助 Tameside 福音教會全職牧者的薪津，經理事會審核與評估後，「聯會」決定明年繼續支持英國香港新移民的植堂事工。
自今年起，該教會女傳道因母親患病須返港照顧，牧養工作交由陳俊業牧師與師母共同承擔。目前教會平均主日出席人數五十五人；弟兄組十五人、姊妹組二十一人、青年組八人。
今年（7月9日至21日）英國短宣隊由亞凱迪亞教會主任牧師林天順牧師帶領，共有七人參加，「聯會」王若明牧師從旁協助。短宣隊舉辦心理健康講座、福音探訪及主領福音主日，並協助當地青少年團契事工及中學生退修會的膳食服事。其間優品話劇社亦參與短宣工作，於約克郡及曼徹斯特共演出三場福音話劇佈道，有十一位朋友決志信主。
返美後，短宣隊於亞凱迪亞教會的主日崇拜後分享服事體驗，出席人數超過六十人；其後亦在十月舉行的「聯會」聯合宣教年會中設置攤位，推廣事工，約三十人參加工作坊分享。
感謝神，今年有更多弟兄姊妹對英國植堂事工感興趣，願意進一步了解與參與。「聯會」計畫明年再次組織短宣隊支持英國的植堂事工。
4. 台灣西海岸「台西美地」
去年梁經綸傳道於植堂委員會中分享台灣西海岸的植堂與宣教事工，提到雲林縣新成立由雲林福氣教會牧養與督導的「台西美地」之需要，以傳福音與扶貧為主，回應當地的迫切需求。「聯會」植堂委員會決議今年資助「台西美地」一萬美元，使該美地更有效地服事社區並廣傳福音。