75th Anniversary Celebrations Highlights
In 1951, our Baptist forebears, responding to a divine calling, established the Hong Kong Baptist Theological Seminary (HKBTS) during a troubled time. By God’s grace, over the past seventy-five years, HKBTS has grown steadily amidst changing times, while striving to fulfill its mission of theological education and research in Hong Kong. Diligently nurturing servant-leaders who possess theological wisdom, spiritual character, and practical ministry skills, HKBTS has trained generation after generation of pastors, missionaries, and lay leaders. In unity with brothers and sisters in Christ, they have built up churches, expanded the Kingdom of God, and exerted a positive influence in society, serving as salt and light and bearing witness to Christ’s Gospel of peace.
To commemorate the Lord’s abundant grace and love, HKBTS has organized a series of anniversary events under the theme “Stand Firm in Christ, Advance Toward the Future.” In a world of turmoil and ever-changing circumstances, only by standing firm on the solid cornerstone of Jesus Christ can we face an uncertain future amidst the world’s currents and put His truth into practice in this age. The highlights of the celebrations were the “75th Anniversary Thanksgiving Service and Concert of Praise” and the “75th Anniversary Thanksgiving Banquet.” This issue of the Newsletter features a selection of photos from these two events, inviting readers to relive the moments captured therein.
The Thanksgiving Service and Concert of Praise
On the afternoon of April 19 this year, HKBTS held a “75th Anniversary Thanksgiving Service and Concert of Praise” at the Kowloon City Baptist Church. On that day, the Seminary Choir and the Alumni Choir joined forces with choir members from 19 Baptist churches to form a single choir of over 250 singers. This choir, together with the congregation, offered a sacrifice of thanksgiving and praise to the Lord, creating a beautiful evening of unity and serving God during this historic moment for HKBTS.
“We pray … that we may encounter You through music and truth!”
The Rev. Wing-mun Tong, a member of our Board of Directors, led the congregation in prayer for HKBTS’s educational ministry and the events of the day.
“… to witness together God’s profound grace and love, as well as this historic moment of HKBTS.”
The Rev. Chi-kwong Chung, Chairman of our Board of Directors, welcomed our friends from all quarters who joined us in worship and provided an overview of HKBTS’s recent developments and plans for the future.
“Lord Jesus, the Cornerstone! …”
The joint choir of over 250 singers presented “Lord Jesus, the Cornerstone!” Their voices, melodious yet powerful, echoed throughout the venue, deeply moving the hearts of all present.
“These are our stories of gratitude.”
The Seminary Choir presented three stories about students’ journeys of faith through a pantomime: “Witnessing God’s Grace in Parenting,” “Becoming a Blessing to Our Families on Their Faith Journeys,” and “Loved by God on the Seminary Journey.”
“I will offer to You the sacrifice of thanksgiving.”
Ms. Po-wah Yeung, Honorary Secretary of our Board of Directors, led the congregation in reciting the responsorial prayer.
“Jesus himself drew near and went with them …”
The Rev. Che-keung Chan, Vice Chairman of our Board of Directors, read from Luke 24:13-35, the account of the journey to Emmaus.
“I earnestly hope that you … will keep hope in your hearts … stand firm in Christ, face today’s challenges together, and look forward to the future.”
President Joshua Cho, speaking on the theme “Stand Firm in Christ, Advance Toward the Future: Hope on the Road to Emmaus,” encouraged us to persist in hope: to wait patiently, trusting that Jesus Christ is our salvation in times of trouble; to believe that Scripture is the source of hope; and to affirm that practical theology, grounded in Scripture as the source of hope, can appropriately respond to the challenges of our time.
Thanksgiving Banquet
That evening, HKBTS hosted a “75th Anniversary Thanksgiving Banquet” at the London Restaurant. Our Board members, faculty, students, staff, and friends from all quarters gathered to count God’s blessings, commune with one another, share encouragement, and enjoy a joyful time of fellowship. Guests included pastors and ministers from the Baptist churches and other denominations, friends from the theological community, leaders of Christian organizations, members of our President’s Council, the President, General Secretary, and Standing Committee members of the Baptist Convention of Hong Kong, as well as alumni from different years, guests coming from afar, and brothers and sisters who care deeply about HKBTS. We sincerely thank all these members of the body of Christ for their blessings and support!
“Give thanks with a grateful heart …”
As the banquet began, our faculty, students, alumni, and all guests gathered together to sing “Give Thanks” as an expression of gratitude to God.
“Tonight, we are honored to have such a distinguished gathering … as members of the Lord’s family come together to fellowship and share in His grace.”
On behalf of HKBTS, Chairman of our Board of Directors, the Rev. Chi-kwong Chong, extended a warm welcome to all who joined us to celebrate and give thanks. He also expressed his hope that they would continue to walk alongside HKBTS, working together to raise up more servant-leaders for the Kingdom of God.
“May faithful soldiers never be lacking, the truth never waver, and the church never slumber.”
The Rev. Wing-mun Tong, President of the Baptist Convention of Hong Kong, extended congratulations to HKBTS on behalf of the Convention and called upon all individuals and churches to partner with HKBTS in striving together for the Kingdom of God.
“Seventy-five years of trials and grace,
Peach and plum trees cultivated,
whose scent fills the city’s space.
We look ahead with Christ as our base:
Tomorrow’s spiritual temple,
today’s discipleship place.”
The Rev. Kin-kai Chung (left), Chairman of the Hong Kong Chinese Christian Churches Union, presented HKBTS with a poem and a keepsake on behalf of the Union, conveying their wishes that God would continue to use HKBTS so that it keeps on standing firm in Christ, the Rock, and training more faithful workers who will shine the light of truth for churches in Hong Kong, mainland China, and around the world, bringing glory to the Heavenly Father.
“Pastors are bearers of hope.”
President Joshua Cho began his remarks by referring to a short video in which three alumni shared their stories, noting that one of the distinctive features of HKBTS’s theological education is its commitment to nurturing students’ spiritual character marked by “faith, hope, and love.” In recent years, HKBTS has placed particular emphasis on deepening the element of “hope” so that students may become pastors who convey hope.
“We pray that You continue to lead the seminary on the path ahead, to the glory of Your name.”
The Rev. Vincent Kwok-hung Lee, General Secretary of the Baptist Convention of Hong Kong, led the congregation in the table prayer, giving thanks for the countless workers for the Kingdom of Heaven that HKBTS has nurtured over the past 75 years, and praying that the Lord would strengthen HKBTS to remain faithful to its mission of theological education.
The 7.5-Second Challenge
Guests enthusiastically joined the party game, stopping the timer with bated breath. The three participants whose times came closest to 7.5 seconds were awarded gifts, bringing joy throughout the dining hall.
“I am truly grateful to God … I have not forgotten the training I received at the Hong Kong Baptist Theological Seminary, which has enabled me to be a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.”
The oldest alumnus in attendance that evening, the 81-year-old Rev. Peter Tuk-soon Leong, has faithfully served the Lord around the world for many years. Upon learning a year ago that his alma mater was organizing this anniversary celebration, he made plans to return from the United States specifically to attend and express his gratitude to God.
“Go, HKBTS!”
Among the guests born in the same year HKBTS was founded (1951) were alumni, former staff members, and church members, who offered heartfelt blessings to HKBTS.
“I hope that HKBTS will continue to steadfastly carry out the mission God has entrusted to us …”
Alumnus the Rev. Hak-ping Chan (right) has been a staunch supporter of the theological education ministry at HKBTS for many years. He expressed his hope that HKBTS will continue to carry out faithfully the mission God has entrusted to us and raise up more workers for the Lord.
Blessings for HKBTS
Colorful greeting cards, each bearing heartfelt messages, conveyed the guests’ blessings and gratitude to HKBTS. The atmosphere was filled with warmth and laughter as everyone came together to celebrate HKBTS’s 75th anniversary.