Toward the 75th Anniversary

Upholding the Mission Despite the Thorny Path

　　It has been fifteen years since I returned to my alma mater, the Hong Kong Baptist Theological Seminary (HKBTS), and began serving as a full-time staff member at the end of 2010. At that time, my first and foremost task was to organize the 60th Diamond Jubilee Celebration. As time went by, I also witnessed the 65th and 70th anniversaries. Now we are approaching the 75th anniversary next year. It will certainly be a year of thanksgiving and celebration!

　　The year 2011 marked HKBTS’s 60th Diamond Jubilee, and it was also the second year since the sixth President, Professor Joshua Cho, took up his post. At that time, the seminary reestablished itself in the grace of the Lord amid difficulties and launched the “Faith, Hope, and Love Project.” Mr. Kam-hung Lee, the then Publisher of the Christian Times, proposed the theme of the seminary’s anniversary celebration: “Soaring High in God’s Faith, Hope, and Love.” It signified that HKBTS rode on the wind of the Holy Spirit and spread its wings to soar in the faith, hope, and love of Christ. One of my most memorable moments in organizing the celebration was when a joint choir formed by members of the Baptist churches sang “A Prayer of Thanksgiving,” a new song written by Dr. Cainan Mui in celebration of the seminary. At that time, the situation of the seminary was just like the lyrics of the song: As we Baptists on a pilgrimage have been delivered by God from Sheol, we must exalt Him! As we have cried out to God from the depths of the pit, and in His grace, God turned our weeping into dancing, we must give thanks and praise to Him!

　　In 2016, HKBTS celebrated its 65th anniversary with joy. Thanks to the support and trust of the Baptist churches, the seminary was successfully registered as a corporate body in Hong Kong in 2013, embarking on a new stage and assuming new responsibilities under God’s guidance. The theme of that anniversary celebration was “Magnifying God the Almighty, Preaching the Gospel across Boundaries.” It was also our heart’s desire: whether in times of peace or hardship, our hearts would magnify the Lord and cultivate faithful servant-leaders for churches; and our teachers and students would carry on the Baptist tradition, transcending the barriers of time, space, and differences, to follow the Lord and run the race set for us.

　　In 2021, HKBTS celebrated its 70th Platinum Jubilee during the pandemic period. In the midst of social unrest, pandemic outbreaks, economic downturns and severed relationships, the seminary celebrated its 70th anniversary on the theme “Endowed in Grace for 70 Years; Forward with Faith, Hope, and Love,” proclaiming faithfully to the Lord who called us that we would never forget God’s grace and guidance to the seminary in the past regardless of the ups and downs; and that we would continue to rely on the Lord and strive to build up a disciple community with “faith, hope, and love” as our beacon.

　　Over the past fifteen years, I have had the privilege of witnessing the progress my alma mater has made. Despite the thorny path, HKBTS remains steadfast in its mission to nurture workers for the Kingdom of God. When I learned that I had been selected to serve as the convener of the 75th Anniversary Organizing Committee, I accepted the appointment with trepidation and excitement. I trembled because I was afraid that I would not be able to cope with the additional work amid my existing duties, which are already quite demanding. But considering that I could have a part to play in organizing the celebration of my alma mater’s seventy-five years of blessings from the Lord, I immediately perked up and resolutely took this honor.

Stand Firm in Christ, Advance Toward the Future

　　The first task of the Organizing Committee was to determine the theme and logo of the 75th Anniversary Celebration. After a vigorous discussion, we finally decided to adopt the theme of “Stand Firm in Christ, Advance Toward the Future.” During the deliberation, HKBTS’s core theological education concept, which President Cho created, came to mind: to nurture a group of servant-leaders who “have the same mindset as Christ Jesus.” That means building a disciple community that knows the heart and mind of Jesus Christ, imitates His example, and is filled with wisdom in praxis. As we move forward to our 75th anniversary, we will not forget our fundamental aspiration and firmly proclaim that HKBTS stands on the solid, dependable, and eternal rock of Christ, and that we rely on the Holy Spirit’s gracious guidance to spread our wings and soar with faith, hope, and love into the future that God has prepared for us.

　　With the theme set, we began work on the logo design. The main elements of the design are the “75th Anniversary” (the number “75”) and the HKBTS emblem. The cross in the logo symbolizes that Jesus Christ is the unchanging foundation of the seminary. The horizontal lines in the upper part of the numerals “7” and “5” are designed with wings, while the diagonal line extends to HKBTS’s emblem. It symbolizes that HKBTS is riding on the winds of the Holy Spirit and flying toward the future without fear or hesitation.

Come, Worship, and Praise the Lord Together

　　Next, the Organizing Committee will take up the task of organizing various activities for the celebration. The celebration will begin with the 75th Anniversary Thanksgiving Service and Concert of Praise because there is nothing more important than offering thanks to the Triune God. HKBTS is a seminary for all Baptist churches; therefore, the seminary is looking forward to gathering members of Baptist churches to form a single united choir to sing with us in praise of God’s power and glory.

　　This is a joyful event that deserves the humble and thankful participation of all Baptists. We hope that all Baptists will support the theological education ministry of HKBTS, participate wholeheartedly in the activities of the 75th anniversary of HKBTS, and witness God’s presence in our midst.