CCCOWE Letter
APR 2025
Dear CCCOWE Family, Peace be with you all!
This past January, I took a four-week sabbatical to rest and spend quality time with my family. Since mid-February, I have resumed ministry in various places, serving in the Philippines, Indonesia, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Malaysia over the past month. What has brought me the greatest joy is not only the ministry itself but also the opportunity to reconnect with dear friends, engage in meaningful conversations, and meet new people. Through these interactions, I have gained some insights that I would like to share with you.
Faithfulness vs. Influence
In ministry, we often face a choice: should we prioritize faithfulness or strive for influence? These two are not necessarily an either-or question, but our priorities must be clear. We are called to be faithful; whether we have influence is ultimately up to God’s sovereignty. Influence should never be something we pursue or force.
the Global Chinese Alpha Conference.
Capability vs. Inner Life
During one of my ministry together with Pastor Peter Wan, I heard him share a message about King Ahaz of Judah. Although Ahaz had already turned away from God in his heart, he was still able to resist enemy forces during a crisis (2 Kings 16:5). This reminded me that the most dangerous moments in ministry are not when we feel powerless, but when we still have the ability to lead while our hearts have already drifted away from God. That is when we are at the greatest risk.
The Key to Partnerships: Sincerity and Integrity
Church unity is not just about coming together for the sake of the gospel and mission; how we connect is itself a testimony and an expression of the gospel. Lasting partnerships can only be built on sincerity and integrity. Without these, ministry collaborations become mere transactions, lacking long-term impact and effectiveness.
The Barrier to Cross-Domain Collaboration: A Victim Mentality
One of the greatest obstacles in interchurch, interregional, and interdisciplinary collaboration is the “victim mentality.” When we feel that what we value is not being recognized, we can easily become resentful and see ourselves as the only ones remaining faithful. However, such a mindset can blind us from seeing the bigger picture of God’s kingdom and hinder opportunities for collaboration and renewal.
The Growing Need for Theological Discernment
The Chinese church has a strong tendency toward pragmatism, valuing practice and results. While this has its merits, without theological discernment and a solid gospel foundation, it can lead to unintended consequences. At best, we risk idolizing strategies and treating people as mere tools; at worst, we drift away from the true gospel and begin preaching “another gospel.” We need deeper theological reflection to ensure our ministries are firmly rooted in truth and that we wisely develop and implement new strategies.
Shepherding the Next Generation—Healthy “Being” and Mentorship
Strategies and methods are important in addressing the challenge of youth disengagement, but what matters most is whether leaders themselves have a healthy “being” and are committed to one-on-one mentoring and coaching the next generation. Pastor Lia from Singapore’s Heart of God Church shared that the rise of young leaders is not about replacing us but reinforcing us—not pushing us out but lifting us up. We need a renewed vision and openness to empower them effectively.
Christian Workplace Influences—the Servant Girl in Naaman’s House
Ministry in the workplace is not limited to those in positions of authority and power. True influence does not necessarily come from status but from faithfully serving in our given roles and pointing people to the ultimate Redeemer. Just like the young servant girl in Naaman’s household, though she held a lowly position, she played a crucial role in leading a foreign commander to the one true God.
The “Why” Behind the 10th CCOWE Congress
The 10th Chinese Congress on World Evangelization (CCOWE Congress) will be held in Kuching, Malaysia, from July 20–24 next year (event details), and the theme of the Congress “Open our EAR, Understand our ERA, Here we ARE.” In a world filled with countless conferences and events, I understand that many may wonder: What is CCOWE Congress really about? Why should I attend? What will I gain from it?
For the past few years, I have asked myself the same question: Why do we need to hold a CCOWE Congress? Ultimately, three reasons convinced me:
- The Unfinished Mission – The number of people who never had the opportunity to hear the gospel worldwide continues to grow, and our task is far from complete.
- The Untapped Potential – While Chinese churches are spread worldwide, their full potential for global missions has yet to be realized.
- The Need for Renewal and Connection – Many churches face stagnation, youth disengagement, and other pressing challenges, calling for transformation and revitalization.
My sincere hope is that the coming CCOWE Congress will not only ignite passion but also provide practical, actionable strategies while at the same time inviting participants to reflect on the theological foundations behind them deeply. We seek plan the Congress in a way that creates a space for listening and dialogue—listening to how God is working in our time, recognizing the unique gifts He has entrusted to each of us through dialogue, and adjusting our mindsets, perspectives, and strategies to align with His mission for the world.
Afterall,
we do not lack conferences,
but we lack in-depth perspectives.
We do not lack information, but meaningful dialogue.
We do not lack resources, but genuine friendships.
We do not lack ministries, but presence.
We do not lack data, but divine insight!
Sincerely,
Rev. David Doong,
General Secretary of CCCOWE
April, 2025