Without Regrets

　　I still remember once after the morning chapel hour when I was a first year student that I came across President Cho. In the conversation that followed, he asked me whether I regretted studying at HKBTS. At that time I answered, “No.” Now, after studying in the HKBTS family for four years, I wholeheartedly give thanks to God for leading me to this seminary where in this community of faith I have learned and grown.

　　In fact, at that time prior to applying to study in HKBTS, I had known that the Seminary was going through a time of turmoil. But as a Baptist, I still hoped to study at HKBTS so that I could know more about the Baptist denomination. At that time, I prayed to God asking Him to pave the way for me. Consequently, He did pave the way and bestowed on me a heart of peace. Today I have finished the four-year program and I specially thank our Lord for allowing me to study at HKBTS as I have personally experienced how God loved and cared for the Seminary. Although there were waves of interpersonal conflict, our God is one who has the power to calm the waves. His power is the power that is full of grace and the power being able to bring peace.

　　In these four years, I saw President Cho serving the Lord diligently by loving the Seminary and loving our churches. All the teachers in the Seminary were dedicated and made great effort to impart knowledge to us and to pass on God’s truth with one heart. The truth of God requires the people of God to interpret it and strive hard to live it out. There was one thing that impressed me deeply. It was about one government department which had planned to build a big construction project right opposite the Seminary campus. Being aware that the project would certainly have a negative impact on the Seminary community and on its surrounding environment, President Cho met with the representatives of the government department a number of times. In his negotiations, he insisted on knowing more about the criteria used to choose this project site and the impact of the construction project on the environment. The process was not smooth but President Cho continued to follow up the case, insisting on being given more information from the department so that he could see the whole picture. At the same time, he taught and continually reminded us that a disciple community must never revert to secular tactics. For example, it would be easy to manipulate the media to arouse public opinion against that government department. Time and again President Cho urged every member of the HKBTS family to be vigilant to pray for the situation. Meanwhile, he pointed out that if the government’s reasons were sound and convincing, we would then have to accept their plans even though we did not like them. This incident helped me see more clearly that as a disciple of Christ we should be open to all truth in dealing with controversial situations and should handle the case in ways that go with the truth. Even when we disagree, we are obligated to respect the other side. We not only need to stand firm in our effort to do the right thing but we must also understand both sides of the argument while holding fast to our Christian identity. The approach and life example of President Cho exhibit the depth of Christian integrity and his faith in God. Only the community which has faith in God can be fearless toward the power of the world and does not need to resort to worldly means.

　　As a seminary student, I have learned much from this incident about how we should serve God. When I am about to shoulder the responsibility of a pastor, I am aware that I must strive to achieve certain results, but I must always seek God’s truth throughout the process. The church must be true to its nature and not to resort to the tactics of the secular world. The faith community has been placed in the world to exhibit the distinct values of the Christian faith.

　　In the HKBTS family, apart from President Cho and all our teachers who love and care for us, there are the staff workers who make every effort to serve the Seminary and students. The reason for students to have such a beautiful learning environment and to enjoy all kinds of facilities of the Seminary everyday is that there is a group of diligent and loyal staff workers. As I had the opportunity to serve in the Student Union, I had many opportunities to contact these staff workers and to understand better their duties. Very often we needed the help and support of the Seminary in running Student Union activities, and in return sometimes we would tell the Seminary our students’ needs. Basically, after listening to students’ request and needs, the staff workers would try their best to help solve the students’ problems whenever feasible and possible. In case of a sudden, emergency event, the staff would try hard to provide a “queue-jumping” service, hoping to allow students to study in the Seminary without worry. This is what President Cho always teaches us: In the HKBTS family, we ought to serve each other and to treat one another with hospitality.

　　Studying in these four years has not only enriched me in my biblical and theological knowledge but has also allowed me to experience more deeply the grace of God. Not only was my heart filled with God’s gracious blessing in prosperity, but even in adversity, the way God acted was also a valuable lesson for me. In reminiscing over the course of my seminary study, I recall one particular problem that I had no idea how to manage. During those days when I left the seminary alone on foot, I would always bring the problem up to God in prayer. Whenever I prayed, a sense of peace and quietness filled my heart. After a fairly long time, God did not take away the problem but instead changed my attitude toward the problem so that my heart was released. In fact, more than once, God led me to bring my request to Him through prayer. All along He was teaching me to gradually see the problem from a new perspective. God is one who listens to our prayer.

　　I must thank God for leading me to HKBTS where the daily routine of Seminary life has enriched me and has enabled me to enjoy my study life. No doubt, besides the HKBTS family, there is my own family, especially my wife and daughter who silently support me as I walk along the road. At the same time, I also need to thank all those brothers and sisters in many different churches who have lovingly expressed their loving concern and care for me. I believe that your prayers served as my greatest strength when I faced difficulty. Indeed, God is the One who always listens to our prayers.