The Evangelical Fellowship of Congregational Churches’ Missionary Advisory Council

The Missionary Advisory Council promotes overseas mission within

‘The Evangelical Fellowship of Congregational Churches’ in the United Kingdom.

In April 2005 we (Alan and Ursula Millar) made a pastoral visit to Guangzhou in Southern China to visit two church members living in that vast city. Our aim was to give pastoral support and encouragement to the couple, to see the fellowship which they are involved in, to learn something of what God is doing in China and where possible to bring encouragement.

Guangzhou is the capital of Guangdong province and is located on the Pearl River delta near the South China Sea 182 kilometres (111 miles) away from Hong Kong. It is China's largest and most prosperous city in the south. [It is an important seaport for foreign trade and a famous historical and cultural city over 2,800 years old.

The city is known for its mixture of culture, tradition and even names. It is called Goat City or Flower City by the Chinese, while for decades after the Opium War (1839-1842) it was known to foreigners as Canton.

From our friends we learned that Guangzhou has undergone dramatic modernization in recent years, and although boats still shuttle back and forth on the Pearl River, the cross-river tunnel and underground railway are increasingly bringing a new look to the city of Goat and Flower. One of our first impressions of Guangzhou was that it is a city on the move in every way. It is a modern city, with older enclaves, but it is the high density that strikes you. The official population is ten million people, but the true figure is probably nearer thirteen million people. There are over 11,000 people living to the square mile. Compare that with Wiveliscombe and its population of 2,500 people.

Our hosts made our stay memorable and it was a privilege to be in their home for two weeks. We trust that our visit achieved its purposes and that our being there conveyed the love and care of the fellowship here in Wiveliscombe. From our point of view it was good just to be there with them in their home, to deepen our friendship, to get to know them better, to laugh and enjoy one another’s company and to share together in the partnership of prayer.

During our stay it was our joy and privilege to attended the Guangzhou International Christian Fellowship. We also met some other family members and what thrilled us was their love for God, their hunger for his word and their passion that others will come to know and love Jesus as Lord and Saviour.

A Visit:

To encourage and support

To see first-hand

To learn

GICF Meets Here

At the Star Hotel