Thousands expected to hear Chinese preacher
by Lavinia Ngatoko in Challenge Weekly, New Zealand
March 29, 2007
AUCKLAND, NZ (ANS) -- An evangelist considered by many to be the most effective and prominent Mandarin-speaking evangelist today is expected to attract more than 10,000 people to his gospel rally meetings in Auckland from March 29 to April 1.The Rev Dr Stephen Tong, who was born in Fujian, China, in 1940 and now lives in Jakarta, Indonesia, has preached to more than 20 million people during his 49-year ministry.
On his last visit to Auckland in 2002, some 2600 people attended his rallies every night over four days. The event will be held at Victory Christian Church.
While Dr Tong preaches from time to time in English, his ministries are mainly conducted among Mandarin and Indonesian-speaking audiences
He is the founder of the Stephen Tong Evangelistic Ministries International and his speciality is to lead people back to Christ through Reformed Theology Bible principles.
Albert Wu, who is helping to organise the rallies, said the organisers are expecting big crowds because Dr Tong is well-known among the Asian community in New Zealand.
"He is especially well-known among people from Taiwan, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia," said Mr Wu, who is involved in preparing a choir of more than 100 Chinese singers from around Auckland for the event.
They will sing every night and will also perform nine hymns composed by Dr Tong, who is also an accomplished musician and has written numerous hymns in Mandarin He will be conducting the Auckland choir on the first and last rally nights.
He will also be taking a sacred music seminar at St David's Presbyterian Church, Khyber Pass, on March 31, which will be in Mandarin but will be translated into English. More than 500 are expected to take part.
Mr Wu said this was an invaluable chance for people interested particularly in sacred music to learn from someone outstanding in the field.
There will also be church leadership training workshops and seminars on questions and answers on Christian faith.
© 2007 ASSIST News Service, used with permission.
