Special Feature: From University to Seminary —— Theology Students’ Life Stories with FES (Issue 490)
Ah Man | M.Div. in Chinese Graduate School of Theology, 3rd year
Ah Kwan | M. Div. in Chung Chi Theological Seminary, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Year 2
FES has witnessed graduates practicing their vocations in a variety of positions, many of whom have chosen to study theology. We invited two seminary students who have participated in FES to see how the Student Evangelism Movement has influenced them on their path to theology.
Support in Transition
“I decided to serve full-time when I was in college fellowship. ……” is how Ah Man recalls his reason for studying theology. After graduating from college, he joined a Christian media organization where he worked as a journalist and editor observing how pastors and lay leaders practiced their faith, imagining that one day he would step into the field himself. …… This imagination later motivated him to explore life pastoral care. He then served as a FES volunteer associate staff for one year and joined the Hong Kong Open University Christian Fellowship to serve the students. Eventually, he enrolled in the seminary in 2020.
Ah Man acknowledges that FES has had a profound impact on him. His exposure to FES began in high school through Catch (magazine for Christian in secondary school issued by ISCF), broadening his understanding of faith. Later he participated in the HKU Fellowship and the Inter-College Christian Fellowship (ICCF), where he discussed with other students the possibilities of faith in different contexts. He mentioned the Bible study group and the book study group as his most memorable experiences at FES, “From reading the scriptures to sharing myself and experiencing being stirred by the Word of God, the Bible study group was indeed a rather unforgettable faith experience for me. …… The Bible study group that we had back then still meets and studies the Bible together and has become one of my closest groups… Next was the discussion of theology books. I was fascinated to hear the FES staff share about theology, to see how they approached their questions and read theological literature, and these faith integrations and theological reflections were the most valuable things I learned at FES.”
He admits that he was equipped at FES to read theological books and to reflect theologically, which helped him adapt to seminary studies. To Ah Man, FES has been a constant presence on his theological journey, providing him with resources to grow in his faith and help him on his theological journey.
Companionship in Exploration
“I was called to full-time ministry in Form 1, and I even thought of studying theology after I graduated from secondary school.” Kwan was called a few years after his conversion. Because of his evangelical church background, he imagined that he would serve as an evangelistic missionary. However, he changed his mind after joining the university fellowship and FES. After participating in the Please Give me a Cup of Cool Water Program during the summer of his freshman year in college, he began to think about how Christians are not just calling people to Christ, but entering into other people’s situations and practicing the gospel in public arena. He studied sociology in college and participated in university fellowships, leading social concern groups and exploring more about the relationship between Christian mission and context.
Kwan states that this experience influenced his choice of seminary – he chose to go to a seminary that values contextual reflection and faith-based reflection. He recalls, “The first activity I participated in at FES was a book club …… Although I found the book difficult, I began to read theological books and learn to communicate my perspective with people.” By discussing with each other and even challenging each other, we can enrich our thinking, and this is also the style of classroom discussion in my seminary now.
“FES and its value of student initiative also helped me to consolidate my faith. There was a time when I was exposed to the university environment and my eyes were opened to criticism of what my church had been teaching. However, the discussions with the FES staff and classmates helped me to sort myself out, to connect my current experiences with past teachings, and to learn to appreciate the traditions of the church again.” Kwan describes FES as an inspiration for him to envision youth ministry, and he hopes that in the future he will be able to accompany young people to face their confusion and help them grow in this way. FES and the college fellowship not only opened his eyes, but also built a foundation for learning theological discussions and inspired him to serve young people.
For the full text, please refer to the Chinese version