Diamond Jubilee Celebration
When we look back over the years from 1951 to 2011, we lost count of the many steps HKBTS has moved over these sixty years. We can declare with certainty that each step was made possible by God’s grace. The Seminary continues to move forward with the pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night.
This year, there will be a series of diamond jubilee celebration activities using the theme “Soaring High in God’s Faith, Hope and Love.” These activities are not meant to display our achievement. Rather, they are intended to illustrate several truths: how God’s great power is made perfect in man’s weakness; how God’s glory is displayed to God’s workmen called to serve Him from generation to generation; to inspire us to go forth now as we count on God’s blessings and soar high in His faith, hope and love in an effort to nurture a group of excellent, humble workmen who are capable of shouldering the mission for God’s kingdom.
In this issue, we feature pictures of the “Thanksgiving Worship Service,” the “Thanksgiving Banquet” and the “Fundraising Walkathon.” Then in his column, President Cho talks about the Seminary’s outlook as he shares on the two past “Thanksgiving” occasions. Also this issue includes summaries of the sermons preached in the Spiritual Revival Bible Study Conference. We also introduce to our readers the Diamond Jubilee Concert of Praise to be held in mid-May.
HKBTS’s Diamond Jubilee Thanksgiving Service was held on the afternoon of February 20 followed by the Thanksgiving Banquet at Jade Garden. That day, guests included pastors and ministers from both Baptist and other denominations, good friends from other seminaries, leaders of Christian organizations, members of the Seminary’s President’s Council, a large number of our alumni, guests from afar as well as brothers and sisters who have concerned and supported HKBTS. We want to take this opportunity to express our warmest gratitude to all these Christian brothers and sisters who brought us blessings from all quarters as we testified together to God’s grace and guidance.
Highlights of Diamond Jubilee Thanksgiving Service
Praising God’s Glory and Power
“I have seen the glory, I have felt the might…” The Seminary Choir and the Alumni Choir sang these words as the Call to Worship. The hymn, entitled “Sing It All Together,” praises God for His glory and power.
He Remembers His Covenant
“He hath remembered his covenant for ever, the word which he commanded to a thousand generations. Praise ye the Lord.” Mrs. Yip Ng Ching-lan, member of our Board of Trustees, led the congregation in reading the Responsive Scriptures.
Heartfelt Thanks for Support and Watch-keeping from the Christian Circle
The Chairman of the Board of Trustees, the Rev. Timothy Lau, extended a warm welcome on behalf of HKBTS to all brothers and sisters from all quarters as they brought us their blessings and worshipped with us, offering up thanksgiving to God.
Wait for the Lord’s Word
Dr. George Wilson, Jr., the fourth President of the Seminary, spoke on the topic, “The Waiting on the Lord for His Word.” He exhorted the congregation to respond to God’s call to be workmen proclaiming the word of God. He also encouraged the whole Seminary community to march forward trusting in God’s grace.
Debut Singing of the Seminary’s Board of Trustees
“In cheerful sounds, all voices raised and filled the world with loudest praise …” On this day when everyone sang heartily, the Board of Trustees Choir gave their debut performance as they sang out their joyful song.
Soaring High in God’s Faith, Hope, and Love
“When the Seminary becomes a disciple community, we will then experience the power of the resurrection of Christ and become an excellent seminary. With God’s grace, we will develop greatly in many areas…” President Cho shared his vision of the Seminary’s future direction and development.
Duet: Pray for Yahweh’s Guidance
The duet of the Faculty Choir and the Male Student’s Choir sang out the thirst of their souls in forceful voices as they sang “Guide me, O Thou Great Jehovah.”
Four Levels of Prayer: In the Bond of Love
Representatives from the Alumni, the Board of Trustees, the faculty and the student body prayed in succession. They prayed that the Lord who keeps building up HKBTS and preparing workers for the churches would help the four parties to be bonded closely together within the Seminary, and watch over one another.
Highlights of Diamond Jubilee Thanksgiving Banquet
HKBTS and Churches Are Bonded Together
The President of the Baptist Convention of Hong Kong, Rev. Tong Wing-mun, gave the congratulatory speech, pointing out that as HKBTS is the arsenal of Christ’s crack troops and that the churches and HKBTS are all bonded together as allies and they should constantly be concerned about the Seminary and give support to it.
Presidents Witnessing God’s Amazing Grace and Passing the Torch
Dr. George Wilson and President Joshua Cho sang together “Amazing Grace.” They testified to God’s amazing grace that has accompanied HKBTS over the last 60 years.
Training God’s Servants Expanding God’s Kingdom
Ms. Lau Nin-fung, Chairperson of the Alumni Association, presents a gift to the alma mater.
To Stride Proudly Ahead with No Fear of Obstacles
Eight LTED staff members counted God’s blessings and recounted HKBTS’s history. “Members of the Board of Trustees and Staff together celebrate the occasion by proclaiming countless numbers of thanksgiving items, together striding proudly ahead with no fear of obstacles and soaring high in God’s faith, hope and love.”
Teachers’ Names Are Used to Congratulate HKBTS
Teachers congratulate HKBTS, using their own names. They went on to put their names together to form a couplet: Baptists Spurs on, Introduce and Describe the Feat of the Kingdom of Heaven; God’s Grace Begins, Triumphantly Praise the True Light of Christ”
Passing on the Torch and Declaring Our Determination Will Never Weaken
“We teachers and students sing praise to God and resolve to work hard all our lives…” Alumni matched new lyrics to a familiar melody and sang out the unfailing resolution to pass on the torch and serve the Lord side by side with one heart.
Snapshots of Fundraising Walkathon
The Diamond Jubilee Fundraising Walkathon was held on the morning of March 5 at Ma On Shan. The route was to walk along the Ma On Shan waterfront promenade from Ma On Shan Public Park to Kam Tai Court. Praise the Lord who granted us fine weather and every participant was in a good spirit. We may not know one another but we share a common cause: to walk with HKBTS and to raise the education fund for the Seminary with our feet.
Participants Came from Far and Wide
Participants gathered together at Ma On Shan Park to take attendance and receive some souvenirs.
The Commencing Ceremony
Seven high-spirited officiating guests conducted the ribbon-cutting ceremony to declare the commencement of the Fundraising Walkathon.
Feeling Excited upon Finishing
Walking in the company of their friends and the family, participants finished the walk and accomplished their fundraising mission. What a great joy!