Vision gatherings highlight pioneering call to China

Recently, two gatherings were held in Toronto and Vancouver in which friends interested in pioneering to China learned how they can contribute to that country’s promising future.

In 2024, the Universal House of Justice called for pioneers to China, identifying Canada, among eight countries, to send pioneers. Anyone whose heart is moved by this call is welcome to offer this service. There is particular encouragement for youth, young adults, and young families to take advantage of the various opportunities in China for employment and to pursue their studies at the undergraduate or graduate level, many English-language programs being currently available. This call includes long-term pioneers and regular visitors. The aim for the Canadian Bahá’í community is to send some 15 pioneers annually over the next several years.

This past July, two ‘vision gatherings’ were held in Toronto and Vancouver to gain greater insight into this call, each taking place over the course of a weekend. Approximately 50 friends attended the gatherings, which were organized by the pioneering task forces of Ontario and British Columbia, respectively. These gatherings were also graced by the presence of a member of the Bahá’í Committee for China.

The purpose of these vision gatherings was to inspire a vision of the future of China and the great potential of that nation. Pioneers to China are encouraged to develop true friendships, and over time, especially through devotional gatherings and the courses of the Ruhi Institute, share the teachings of the Faith with those of their friends who are interested in learning more.

During the Vision gatherings, participants studied letters from the Universal House of Justice and the International Teaching Centre about service in China, watched a video regarding the history of the Bahá’í faith in China, and discussed various practical matters related to service there. Participants wrote their questions on a poster board to ensure all of them were addressed. Among the friends who had already travelled to or lived in China, the kindness and receptivity that they encountered there, and the many opportunities for building beautiful friendships in that country, were particularly noted.

Both gatherings included opportunities for participants to engage in artistic activities that helped them to consolidate their understanding of the material. At one gathering, participants collaborated using paint and collage to create multimedia floral designs. At the other gathering, participants practiced the art of Chinese paper cutting. Both groups learned a Bahá’í prayer in Mandarin set to music. The two Vision gatherings were joyful occasions that deepened participants’ understanding of the nature of service in China, the spirit of the people of China, and the great potentialities of that country.

To express interest in pioneering, whether for regular visits, a period of study, or a number of years, please contact the Pioneer Task Force of British Columbia if you live west of Ontario at pioneering@bc.bahai.ca, or the Pioneer Task Force of Ontario at pioneering@ontariobahai.org if you live in Ontario, Nunavut, Quebec, or the Atlantic Provinces.