Revival in Chinese Church in New York Aroused Interest from three American Seminaries

Jul 09, 2008 04:10 AM EDT

Since its founding 12 years ago in New York, Faith Bible Church in Flushing has undergone rapid development, and stirred the interests of several influential seminaries in America. Presently, three seminaries has listed Faith Bible Church as their research opponent on the topic of "Church Revival", and will sent their faculties and students to observe and learn.

In 1995, with only $18,000 and faith in the Lord, Rev. John Edward Hao founded the Faith Bible Church in Flushing. On the path of starting the church, God greatly revived the church and allowed for church plantings, establishment of seminary, mission centers, community care center, and all kinds of gospel ministries.

In the world, Faith Bible Church has a total of 11 churches planted in the United States, Taiwan, and Brazil. The home church in Flushing increased in number exponentially with a few years; the number of its church membership grew to the thousands. In addition, since they emphasize the importance of cross-cultural mission work, they've established the first Korean congregation among the North American Chinese Churches in July, 2007.

The growth rate for Faith Bible Seminary is as rapid as its church growth. In the last 13 years, they have not only established branches in Taipei, Taichung, and Canada, but have also established training centers in South Africa, Brazil, and Paris, training large number of quality ministers of the gospel.

In the aspect of service for the community, Faith Bible Church is actively developing its community care services, and successfully purchased the Hope Center Building, which is used as the base for seminary education and proclaiming the gospel.

Due to the rapid increase in the church membership at Faith Bible Church, numerous seminaries in United States are paying much attention to them. Bakke Graduate University, Palmer Theological Seminary, and Payne Theological Seminary have sent their faculties and students to observe and conduct research on the subject of church revival.

In response, Hao felt gratified; He expressed welcome to the faculties and students from these three seminaries, and "believes that these are great opportunities for them to learn from each other, hold each other accountable, and cover each other's insufficiencies."

[Editor's note: reporter Quan Wei from New York contributed to this report.]