Around 500 people from over 10 major Chinese churches in the Bay Area have gathered at an annual camp, reinforcing the Mainland Chinese ministries that is now rising in demand.
On April 7-9, the 13th Bay Area Chinese Spring Camp (BACSC), co-organized by around seven Chinese churches in collaboration with the Tien Dao Christian Media Association, Inc, was held at Redwood Glen Camp near Santa Cruz.
"We have the highest number of participants this time. The Chinese Agape Vineyard Christian Fellowship participated in the camp for the very first time. The Home of Christ 5 has even sent a short-term mission team of 17 people to join the counseling service. The head pastor and the elders of the oldest church in the Bay Area- Mountain View Chinese Christian Church – have also brought their short-term mission team to the retreat," shared Feng Chao, chairman of the BASCS preparatory committee.
Feng explained the reasons why the camp has been flourishing over the year as saying, "God has raised Mainland Chinese ministries in Bay Area, and has united the Chinese churches, especially those who have burden to Mainland Chinese ministries."
This year, over 600 people have joined the camp and around 350 people are seekers, the percentage is as high as 75 percent. Many seekers have dedicated themselves to God or their hearts become more opened to know more about Christian faith, according to Feng.
"If only one church holds evangelistic gathering, it will not be such efficient. Therefore, the Spring Camp has helped to attract the participation of many churches," Feng continued.
While working with churches from different denominations and traditions, ministers from different churches have learnt about how to cooperate and serve one another through the Spring Camp.
"Spring Camp is like a platform of Gospel. It does not matter about the confession of faith but every one serve with the Gospel. Through the Gospel that we believe, we unite together in one heart," the vice-chairman of Spring Camp said.
With the theme "Complete Love," the Camp addressed some common issues concerning family and career among Chinese in a biblical way by using the scripture. The main speaker of the Camp is Rev. Liu Tong Su, who is a renowned scholar at Yale Theological Seminary and member of the editorial committees for some leading Chinese Christian publications such as Christian Life Quarterly and Behold Magazine.
