A letter from Judy Chan in Hong Kong
July 2011
“I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work among you will bring it to completion by the day of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:6).
Judy Chan
Growing up as a Chinese-American in Mississippi, I could never quite grasp what God had in mind for me. Certainly it didn’t feel like a blessing to be such a small minority in the racially polarized society of the Deep South. I remember my lonely teenage years, a time when most of all we just want to fit in. And I never did.
HKCC Logo – 'All one in Jesus Christ'.
Now after 17 years as a PC(USA) mission co-worker in Hong Kong, I can look back with gratitude. Because I see how all the events in my life brought me to where I am today:
- Executive Secretary for Communications at the Hong Kong Christian Council
- Radio Producer for Ecumenical Religious Broadcasting
- Member of the World Association for Christian Communication (WACC)
- Member of Hong Kong Christians for Eco-Concern
- Wife and mother of four
In my ministry at the Hong Kong Christian Council, I am able to utilize all the gifts God gave me in life, including fluent English communication, creative writing and speaking skills, familiarity with Asian culture, sensitivity to cultural diversity, and an evangelical and ecumenical spiritual heritage. I need them all to do my job!
'Amazing Grace' at Interfaith Celebration.
When I came to Hong Kong in 1994, it was three years before the "handover" when the former British colony would return to the sovereignty of China. Since then I have witnessed how God has continued to walk with the people through all the ups and downs in their political, economic and social circumstances. It is my prayer that the Church would be equally faithful in "seeking the welfare of the city."
The Hong Kong Christian Council is the joint witness of mainline churches and organizations working for Christian unity, mission, and social concern. Our vision is for churches to have a bigger impact in society by addressing the needs of the wider community. That has included a host of activities such as advocacy for a fair minimum wage, mission to refugees and migrant workers, raising donations for earthquake victims in Asia, meeting with China church leaders, campaigning for climate justice, monitoring the Hong Kong government’s political developments, rebuilding collapsing schools in rural China, and training the next generation of youth in the ecumenical movement.
The Church in the city.
Even with such a broad agenda, the Council knows it cannot do everything. Yet it can do something, especially raising awareness in the Church of its wider mission in society. Hong Kong is fortunate to have retained its many freedoms after 1997—freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom of assembly, freedom of religion. It remains to be seen how Christians use God’s blessings to bring faith, hope and love to Hong Kong’s 7 million as well as contribute to the welfare of the nation of China.
As I write this, I am so thankful to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and the PC(USA) for allowing me to be a part of the mission of the Hong Kong churches. I am keenly reminded of the words of a minister who recently spoke on our radio program. He said, “I don’t believe that God mechanically moves us around, but He uses the choices we make and the situations in which we find ourselves to call us to fulfill His will and purpose in that place and in the challenges of those circumstances.”
Hong Kong haze.
This has been so true in my life and ministry, both in the United States and now in Hong Kong. I trust you too are being empowered by the Holy Spirit to do the good work that God has uniquely called you to do in the sharing of the gospel from the first day until now.
Thank you and God bless!
In the peace of Christ,
Judy Chan
The 2011 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p. 142
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