Christians and China Research Center (CCRC)
In 2006, the Christians and China Research Center (CCRC) was established under the Blessings Foundation, with Rev. Daniel Ling Li serving as general secretary.
The center hoped to bring an evangelical voice into academic circles in mainland China, offer perspectives grounded in biblical faith, cultivate scholars in mainland China engaged in the study of Christianity, and help their research reach international academic platforms, thereby bringing the study of Christianity in China into closer dialogue with international scholarship.
• Commemorating the Bicentennial of Robert Morrison’s Arrival in China
In 2007, to commemorate the bicentennial of Robert Morrison’s arrival in China, CCRC held a major international academic conference on “Chinese-Western Cultural Exchange: Retrospect and Prospect.”
More than thirty scholars from the United States, Canada, mainland China, Europe, Hong Kong, and Taiwan were invited to participate, and the conference was also open to the public. A collection of conference papers was published afterward.
• Academic Conferences
Beginning in 2008, CCRC held an annual academic conference related to Christianity at different universities in mainland China, with an international conference held every three years.
CCRC has partnered with Renmin University of China, East China Normal University, Sichuan University, Shandong University, Shanghai University, Chung Yuan Christian University in Taiwan, Hong Kong Baptist University, and other institutions.
Conference topics included “The Spirit of Chinese and Western Cultures and Future Directions,” “Church and Society in the Context of China’s Modernization,” “Christianity and the Public Sphere,” “Christian Print Media and Modern Chinese Society,” “Christianity and Moral Construction in Modern China,” “Christianity and Modern Medicine,” and “Christianity and the Spirit of the Rule of Law in China.”
• Conference Proceedings
After these conferences, collections of conference papers were prepared and published. Many university libraries have included them in their collections.
• Scholarships and Awards
Beginning in 2008, the Christian Studies Scholarship was awarded through CCRC.
In 2014, this program was changed to the Excellent Paper Award for research related to Christianity.
Over the years, several hundred student awards and grants were given through this program.
• Participation in Academic Conferences
Rev. Dr. Daniel Ling Li was invited many times each year to participate in academic conferences related to Christianity at universities in mainland China.
In Los Angeles, CCRC also partnered with other organizations to hold academic forums, such as the “Forum on Church-State Relations” and the “Forum on the Sinicization of Christianity.”
• Academic Journal
Beginning in 2013, CCRC published the annual Journal of Research for Christianity in China.
Beginning in 2017, the journal was published in electronic format only.
• Summer Institute
In 2017, CCRC held a two-week Summer Institute for Ph.D. students in Christian studies in Los Angeles, in partnership with China Evangelical Seminary North America.
After 2018, the Christians and China Research Center became independent from Blessings. Blessings continued to provide partial support until 2020.
