Hospital News April 2009 Issue

A Banquet That Will Never Come to an End

　　The inauguration of the sixth president of the Seminary, Dr. Joshua Cho, was held on January 19. There were 1,200 guests from Baptist churches, pastors and ministers from other denominations, good friends from theological and intellectual sectors, leaders of Christian organizations, members of the President’s Council, alumni from over the years, guests of honor from afar and many brothers and sisters who have continued to care for and support HKBTS all along.

　　We gratefully and heartily thank all of you who offered us your blessings, prayed with us as the Seminary set out on a new path and witnessed with us God’s grace and guidance. This was a moment of nothing but blessings as we gathered and a banquet that God set for us all to enjoy. In response to an anonymous phone call concerning a bomb threat, the meeting had to be cut short. Yet we did not allow this prank to dispirit us as we continued to enjoy our feast in Christ. We were surrounded by our brothers and sisters in Christ with their unreserved love and support; we felt contented; and we had no regrets and we lacked nothing at all.

　　Here we must give thanks and praise to the Lord, our God and to every church and every brother and sister who have prayed and walked with us all along. The Seminary will not focus on the difficulties that lie ahead, but we are convinced that God will continue to lead HKBTS on in the midst of crises with His grace. All the teachers, students and staff are united as one as we pass on our Baptist heritage so that HKBTS continues to be a seminary that truly belongs to God and to our churches.

　　Because of the abrupt ending of the inauguration service, President Cho could only share briefly his presidential address and the greetings of the seven seminary presidents had to be cancelled. We have decided to share with our readers President Cho’s inauguration speech and the greetings of the seven seminary presidents in this issue of the Newsletter. Included in this Newsletter is also the keynote address given by Professor R. Alan Culpepper, Dean of McAfee School of Theology, Mercer University.

Scenes of Inauguration

Guests Assembled from Far and Near

Guests signed their autographs in the guest book and each of these names leaves behind an imprint of being together in Christ and walking forward shoulder to shoulder with HKBTS.

Praise from the Depth of Their Hearts

“You are holy, holy, I will serve You all my days. As long as I have breath, I’ll give You praise….” The Sunshine Choir of Baptist Convention of Hong Kong sang out praise from their hearts through the song “I Give You Praise.”

Be Careful to Obey Scriptures

“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve….” Rev. Leung Ting-yik, a member of HKBTS’s Board of Trustees, conducted the responsive reading from 4 passages: Mark. 10, John. 13, 1 Peter 5 and Joshua 1.

Pray for HKBTS and the New President

“Today as we gather here, we pray that your love fills each of our hearts and that we try our best to support theological education ….” Rev. Isaac Leung, a member of HKBTS’s Board of Trustees, prayed for HKBTS and the new president.

With Heart-felt Thanks for the Love and Concern in the Lord

Rev. Lau Siu-hong, Chairman of HKBTS’s Board of Trustees, gave the Welcoming Speech to extend our appreciation for the presence of all brothers and sisters at the presidential inauguration.

We Will Not Fear

Dr. Oliver Lo sang “Be Still, and Know That I am God,” to express this conviction: “Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea….”

Remember God’s Vocational Call

“He says: ‘Be my servant to restore the tribes of Jacob’” Mrs. Yip Ng Ching-lan, a member of HKBTS’s Board of Trustees, read out two scripture passages: Isa. 49:5-6; Eph. 1:3-14.

Facing Challenges

Professor R. Alan Culpepper delivered the message entitled “Challenges of Theological Education in 21st Century,” reflecting on the biblical foundation of theological education and the responsibility and challenges of contemporary theological education.

Offering Up to God a Majestic Song

“Lord, you have been our dwelling place throughout all generations….” Mrs. Helen Wan conducted the joint choir, comprising Kowloon City Swatow Baptist Church choir, the Alumni choir and HKBTS choir, to sing “Lord, You Have Been Our Dwelling Place.”

All Responding to Our Gracious Lord

The whole congregation sang the hymn of response: “How clear is our vocation, Lord, when once we heed Your call: to live according to Your word….”

Congratulations on the Inauguration

In the presidential inauguration, Rev. Lau Siu-hong shook hands with Professor Joshua Cho, who became the sixth president of the Seminary, and placed around his neck the president’s medallion symbolizing the authority and responsibility of the office.

Prayer of Dedication

“Pray that You will open his heart and that he will attempt great things for You as he dedicates himself before You and fulfills what You will have him accomplish.” As Rev. Lau was praying, we could hear the congregation’s enthusiastic response throughout the sanctuary.

Going Forth Following Our Lord Jesus in the Midst of a Hard Situation and God’s Grace

After the office inauguration ceremony, President Cho shared only briefly as the meeting had to be cut short. He highlighted that God is the reason for the presidential inauguration and the Seminary to exist. The HKBTS would embrace the Baptist tradition and experience God’s grace and in following Him forward in the midst of these difficult times.

May The Grace of God Be with You Always

Rev. Chan Chi-keung, a member of HKBTS’s Board of Trustees and Chairman of Baptist Convention of Hong Kong, pronounced the benediction upon President Cho and the congregation.

A Prayer outside the Sanctuary

The police received an anonymous phone call posing imminent danger on the congregation and request immediate evacuation. During the negotiation with the police while the inauguration was still in progress, a group of staff and student ushers prayed together and entrusted the hard situation to the Lord. The prayer was led by Rev. Chu Yiu-ming who volunteered to offer us a helping hand.