Monthly Prayer Letter (January 2023)
18th January 2023
Dear companions of FES,
What are your New Year wishes for 2023? While some comment that they are not optimistic about the future in view of the growing tension in international relations, some experts predict that one-third of the world’s economies will fall into recession. As people of God, our perspective towards global conditions depends on God’s works. Wherever we are, may we recognize God’s work and cling to Him, and always be renewed in our minds; “Do not allow this world to mold you in its own image. Instead, be transformed from the inside out by renewing your mind. As a result, you will be able to discern what God wills… ” (Rom. 12:2, The Voice).
The FES team recently had a staff retreat and ministry planning camp where we discussed how to walk with the church in Hong Kong today. On the one hand, we can tell the difficulty of running a church. And on the other hand, we are aware that many people are trying out new pastoral models. Both pastors and believers understand that they cannot stay in the old way of thinking. The church in Hong Kong has embarked on the road to “recovery” not by going back to the past, but by courageously facing the truth, admitting ignorance and incompetence, seeking the release of humanity brought by the Gospel, leaving behind the habit of hierarchical thinking, and seeking a way out from common collaboration. Only in God’s mercy and grace can the church be restored to its true self.
In our ministry planning camp, we explored the meaning and importance of creative tension in teamwork in the Jesuit spiritual tradition, so that we could learn to keep creative tension with our best, in all kinds of relationships in ministry, such as between supervisors and subordinates, between departments, etc., and to create diversity in unity for greater effect. In this way, the staff team could continue to move forward, be bold but not stubborn, and consider the benefits of the whole. We are thankful for this insight. Looking back on the past year, the FES team has gradually gained understanding and experience, and is willing to create greater space for collaboration and explore opportunities to serve with different ministry partners.
In the coming year, I look forward to strengthening communication and cooperation with seminaries and university academics to bring about richer and more constructive discussions in the areas of curriculum, publications, and disciplinary faith dialogues. Grounded in faith and engaging in deeper reflection on different issues is an important part of student evangelism that cannot be missed. Besides, the spiritual care of secondary school teachers is also a constant concern of my heart. May the Lord lead us to facilitate, at the right time, the understanding of the needs of this community of life workers and respond to their faith needs.
Please pray for the Graduates’ Christian Fellowship (GCF) as the 65th anniversary of TELL ME YOUR STORY will be held on January 29th. We invite Mr. Raymond Fung, Wai Man and Ideas Fung to give a theological talk, and there will also be a dialogue session between pastors and young people. Graduates of all generations are welcome to attend and support the event, giving thanks for the Lord’s leadership of GCF in the past, and to walk alongside young graduates who are facing an uncertain future, listening to their stories of conflict and struggle in their lives.
Nevertheless, may this be a year of grace in which all our wishes are fulfilled and, more importantly, in which we do our best to keep the goodness, rejoice in our hope, and generously help the saints in need (Rom. 12:9-13). Let’s enter this year’s journey of life together with courage.
Your brother,
Barry Cheung
Fellowship of Evangelical Students (Hong Kong) cordially request the honor of your presence at the 65th Anniversary Thanksgiving Ceremony, on 13rd November, 2022 at 3pm, at Concordia Lutheran School, 12 Tai Hang Tung Road, Shek Kip Mei, Kowloon. We should be very pleased if you could honor us with your presence. Flower and gifts are gratefully declined. Those wishing to make a gift may give donation to support the student movement.
Please confirm your participation on or before 7th November 2022 though https://bit.ly/3AS2gAO .
Any enquiries, please contact us via phone (tel: 2369 8511, Ms. Bui).
Donation Methods (Local)
- Faster Payment System: (FPS ID: 1915727), transfer to “Fellowship of Evangelical Students (Hong Kong) Ltd.”. Please fill in your donation items and donor number (if any) in the remarks or message column.
- Crossed cheque: Please make it payable to “Fellowship of Evangelical Students (H.K.) Ltd.”.
- Direct deposit / E-banking: Hang Seng Bank 286-126024-002 / HSBC 108-074980-001
* Please send us the Donation Envelope, enclosing with cheque, bank-in slip or screenshot of successful FPS payment via mail or email (for bank-in-slip and FPS screenshot only).
* Donations over $100 are tax deductible in Hong Kong with our receipts.
Mailing Address: 11/F, Cheung Lee Commercial Building, No. 137-143 Cheung Sha Wan Road, Kowloon, Hong Kong
Donation Methods (Oversea)
Donors desiring tax-deductible receipts for income tax purposes must give through the following organization to receive the necessary receipts.
- Online Donation
USA / UK
https://give.ifesworld.org
Canada
https://ivcf.ca/give/ Please indicate the offering target as “Hong Kong FES”
- Cheque Donation
USA*
Making cheques payable to “IFES/USA” and send to the following address.
IFES/USA
PO Box 436
Platteville, WI 53818-0436
Canada*
Making cheques payable to “InterVarsity Christian Fellowship of Canada”
and send to the following address.
Inter-Varsity Christian Fellowship
1 International Boulevard
Toronto, Ontario,
M9W 6H3 Canada
UK*
Making cheques payable to “IFES” and send to the following address.
IFES
5 Blue Boar Street
Oxford OX1 4EE
United Kingdom
* Please mark “H.K.F.E.S.” at the left bottom corner and
“designation # 100088” at the back of the cheque.