Hong Kong Exploratory Trip
An update from Andrew Leung, Executive Assistant to Dave Taylor (Sydney, Australia)…
Dave Taylor, John Leung (my Dad) and I had the opportunity to visit Hong Kong in early December 2019. It was an exploratory trip to see whether God might be opening the door for Sovereign Grace to plant a church there. Hong Kong is a dynamic and international city, a city of contrasts: where east meets west, and old meets new. It is also a strategic platform into China (notwithstanding the protests and riots over the last six months). And for me, Hong Kong has always held a special place in my heart, as I spent a considerable amount of my childhood growing up there.
In a short space of time (3 days), we were able to connect and relate to a number of pastors in Hong Kong from various evangelical churches and denominations, both indigenous (Cantonese and Mandarin speaking) and international (English speaking). Through these interactions, we got to better understand the church scene and culture, and the opportunities and challenges of planting a church in Hong Kong.
We also got an insight into the current state of play of churches in China, both registered and house churches, leveraging the church network Dad has partnered with over the last 15 years with ministries into China. And we are excited for the opportunities for the gospel, and what God can do to bless the Chinese nation through Sovereign Grace Churches.
There are many churches in Hong Kong, though many would have gatherings where the gospel is assumed, rather than application to everyday life. But we thank God for the opportunity to connect with a few like-minded pastors who are supportive of gospel-centered church planting in Hong Kong.
Promisingly, it is a city where an international or an indigenous pastor would work equally well from a cultural perspective. Lets be praying that God would be raising up the right leader/church planter called to the task! (And if your interested personally, then please drop Dave Taylor a line!!)
Going forward, we are thankful that Sovereign Grace already has a few songs translated into Chinese (Mandarin): All I have is Christ, Behold Our God and O Great God. We were able to share these songs with Chinese speaking pastors, and we will continue to do so through our church networks.
Over the next couple of months, we will begin translating the seven shared values into Chinese for strategic distribution to both pastors in Hong Kong and China. We will also be looking into translating classic Sovereign Grace books into Chinese (like Living the Cross Centered Life and Humility by CJ Mahaney). Our prayer is that these gospel saturated materials would serve the network of churches in Hong Kong and China, helping build millions of Chinese believers into the gospel, and God- willing, raise up potential future indigenous church planters.
On my last day in Hong Kong, I had the opportunity to visit my Uncle who lives alone in Hong Kong. He is in his mid- 80s, had been successful in the eyes of the world, but now in his old age, lives with the consequences of marriage and family breakdown. Praise the Lord he has come to know our Savior towards his later life, albeit intermittent faith over the years. It was such a joy to share Chinese Sovereign Grace songs with him, with the hope of strengthening his faith and bringing joy and pleasures in the gospel. I pray that through the ministry of Sovereign Grace, many in Hong Kong and China may come to be blessed and strengthened in the gospel for the glory of God, just like him.
God is on the move!
