Burlingame, CA - Over 175 Christian leaders that include family members, past and present co-workers celebrated the 80th birthday of Rev. Thomas Wang and they thanked him for his life-long service in global missions particularly among Chinese Churches around the world.
Rev. Philip Teng, 20 years ago, said that Rev. Wang is "a special gift of God to the Chinese Church" on his 60th birthday celebration in Hong Kong.
On Oct 13, 2005, 20 years after, at the birthday celebration and thanksgiving dinner, the co-workers of Rev. Wang, both long-term and short-term co-workers, shared their memories and testimonies. In spite of the crowd's attention towards him, Rev. Wang called upon the repentance of this country by explaining the motive of publishing two books titled "America, Return to God", which 250,000 to 350,000 copies will be printed and distributed to U.S. leaders of all levels. The second book reveals his passion for China missions.
Speaking of "American, Return to God", Rev. Wang pointed out its four main points: "America courting self-destruction, "A Godless America is a dead America", "Time is not on our side", Repentance is never too late", and it contains ten short articles calling for repentance.
"We need to help United States, but many people ask this question, 'how can we help? It is already so rich and grand'," said Rev. Wang. "Through prayers and spirituality, we can help the United States. If the United States falls, then no other country in the world that are powerful enough or willing to stand up for justice."
The second book is written on the subject of China missions. China has undergone much suffering through the past 5000 years, but she will change through the faith and governing principle of Christianity, affirmed Rev. Wang.
Included in the gift package for everyone attending the celebration was the book titled "Thy Kingdom Come". It is published by GCCI board members and dedicated as a gift to Rev. Wang. The book features "Kingdom related articles" written by Biblical scholars who know Rev. Wang well, memories shared from people who have worked with him, and a photo gallery showing his life story.
Sharon Chan, chief editor of GCCI bi-monthly magazine and 30 years co-workers of Rev. Wang, wrote in 'Thy Kingdom Come': "Indeed, Rev. Wang is a pioneer leader with gifts in planning, organization, and mobilization; a prophetic leader with spiritual perception; and also a leader of initiating national and global Christian movements. God grants him with new vision, developing new tasks, and leading the Chinese church into worldwide impact."
Rev. Wang has founded several ministries and took the leadership role in international movements that impacted worldwide Christianity and led the Chinese Christians in participating in worldwide church evangelization. In 1961, Chinese Christian Missions (CCM) was founded; in 1974, the CCCOWE Movement was born, and in 1976 he was elected unanimously as the first secretary general of the CCCOWE Movement; in 1987, he accepted the invitation from Lausanne Committee as the Lausanne international director; in 1989, Rev. Wang took the chairman position of AD2000 & Beyond Movement, and then he founded GCCI in 1991.
"Rev. Wang has a single purpose in life - "God's Kingdom". His whole life is devoted to the service of the advancement of the Kingdom," wrote Chan in "Thy Kingdom Come."
