Monthly Prayer Letter (Aug 2023)

Dear companions of FES,

I just attended the four-yearly IFES World Assembly. During the eight days of intensive program, I met a lot of fellows who are striving to work with students despite the pandemic, as the theme of the conference describes, “Tabah dan Tangguh: Witnesses in the University and Beyond”. Also, I was touched by the fact that many participants were concerned about the changes in Hong Kong in recent years, and even took the initiative to invite us to meet for sharing and praying. Student movement around the world is experiencing a lot of impacts. We hope that everyone will be inspired by God’s marvelous works, and that when each of us goes back to our own positions, we will realize clearly who we are and what our roles are in the Kingdom of Heaven, and we will be able to overcome the difficulties and seek breakthroughs in our ministries.

The three participating students have had a profound experience and insight. We anticipate that they will continue to advance the vision of the Kingdom in their campus service. In Hong Kong at this moment in time, campus fellowships provide not only a platform for young people to come together in pursuit of the faith, but also opportunities for witnessing the gospel, such as receiving and listening to peers, and other practical ministries. As it is written, “Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me.” ( Mk. 9:37 ).

Many people recognize that the church in Hong Kong is facing a difficult challenge. I ask God in my prayers: May you help us not only to see the problem, but also to repent from it. We need to be returned to God from our false sense of self so that we can find our true source of fulfillment and happiness. Thomas Keating understood “repent” in a positive sense, not just as a command, but is an invitation to grow up and become a fully mature human being, so that one become more alert to the dynamics of the unconscious, and to take greater responsibility for one’s life (The Human Condition, p. 37). Sometimes we mistakenly think that more experience will lead to greater power, but past experience can become an attachment or a burden that prevents us from being courageous enough to enter into the journey of true growth. However, Jesus said, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!”

We are thankful for the successful completion of this year’s Youth Bible Conference, co-organized by the Inter-school and Inter-college Departments, with a total of 60 secondary and tertiary believers attending. Through small group Bible studies, sharing and devotional messages, we built up a campus mission community together, and enabled the tertiary believers to learn to host the high school students and to share their experiences in university ministry. While the summer ministry is almost completed, our staff is preparing for the new year’s orientation ministry. We are grateful to our staff for their dedication and preparation, and we pray that the Lord will continue to strengthen our staff and students, so that the orientation programs and messages will encourage new students to engage in campus fellowships and seek opportunities to live out their mission.

During the past three years of the pandemic, there has not been any adjustment to the staff salaries. In view of the rise in prices and inflation, the Board of Directors has just resolved to increase the salaries of our staff by 2.5% from July onwards. We thank the board of directors for their continued recognition of the service of our staff, and we rely with greater assurance on the Lord who provides for our needs. Please continue to keep the financial needs of FES in your prayer, trust that as the staff team continues to commit ourselves with all our heart and with all our mind toward the vision the Lord has given us, the Father Himself will reward us. When we see our young people in ministry seriously pursuing and following the Lord, it is the greatest satisfaction for student workers.

Wishing you all a deeper experience of grace each day!

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