Several months ago, I represented our church at the annual thanksgiving meeting organized by the Hong Kong Association of Christian Organizations Ltd. During the event, in addition to acknowledging the “faithful and excellent” service of co-workers, the Association established an award for outstanding volunteers, recognizing brothers and sisters who have selflessly devoted themselves without regard for remuneration. One volunteer, Brother Lai, remarked: “I thank God for giving me the opportunity to offer my time, energy, and effort. This is pleasing to Him. The privilege of participating in the work of God’s Kingdom is the greatest blessing God has given me, which also brings me immense joy.”

       Reflecting back on the 1980s and 1990s, when Hong Kong’s economy was thriving, God moved churches in Hong Kong to reach beyond their own walls and utilize their financial resources to help establish gospel organizations to address the needs of different communities in society. Examples include hospital chaplaincy ministries serving patients and individuals recovering from mental illnesses, and Christian Oi Hip Fellowship Ltd.; short-term mission training centers that bear witness to Christ among the general public, Goodnews Communication International Ltd., and CBN Hong Kong Ltd.; organizations dedicated to caring for the holistic growth of students and young people such as Breakthrough Ltd. and Fellowship of Evangelical Students Hong Kong Ltd.; The Society for Truth and Light, which focuses on media, sexuality and social ethics based on Christian principles; the Financial Services Evangelical Fellowship that cares for those in the commercial and financial sectors; and ministries serving grassroots communities and new immigrants, such as Urban Peacemaker Evangelistic Fellowship Ltd. and Mission to New Arrivals Ltd.

       We often pray to God, saying: “Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven,” which expresses our longing for the coming of Christ’s Kingdom. Through the church, we hope people will see God’s glory, love, justice, and peace. Therefore, Rev. David Doong, the General Secretary of the Chinese Coordination Centre of World Evangelism (CCCOWE), encourages us to become disciples with a missional heart (Missional Discipleship). We must establish a lifelong relationship with Jesus that follows Him, and demonstrate missional actions to this generation, thereby exalting Christ’s Kingdom.

        Overseas missionary endeavors are accomplished through sending missionaries abroad, while effectively and practically responding to societal needs at home is often achieved by partnering with local gospel organizations. Today, gospel organizations in Hong Kong have diversified in their development. Churches must gather brothers and sisters with various gifts to support their ministries. Thus, our church encourages fellowships and small groups to connect regularly with gospel organizations that align with their visions, pray for them, and make financial offerings. Additionally, we should invite these organizations, individually or collectively, to provide training to equip us as volunteers who are ready and able to support their ministries on a regular basis.

        May we all follow God’s heart and adopt the mindset of Christ Jesus, looking not only to our own interests but also to the interests of others (Philippians 2:4–5), thereby becoming true partners in the gospel of Christ. Indeed, God, full of love and justice, will certainly not forget our good works and the love we have shown for His name (Hebrews 6:10–11). Let us all say, “May God once again revive the NPAC family. Just as how we have served alongside gospel organizations in the past, let us continue to serve this generation today with sincerity, fervor, and strength.”