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and fostering our mutual support and sharing. We for reconciliation and channels for communication.
gained a lot and our hearts were touched. We Also, we have to express our gratitude to the
thank the Lord for the churches in China and we churches and organizations that have been laboring
believe that God will continuously bless the church with us, as well as to the Executive Com m ittee
development in China. Another special event this members and staff members for their concerted
year was the 30th anniversary of the "Colloquium efforts. This year, we especially thank our new
of Six Religious Leaders”. The Six Religions and G eneral S e cre ta ry Rev. Po Kam C heong fo r
representatives joined together for a tree planting his hard work. For what we have achieved and
ceremony in Tin Shui Wai Park. Mr. Donald Tsang, accomplished, we hope that God will gladly receive
Hong Kong Chief Executive, was invited to officiate our humble offering, and for our shortcomings, we
as guest host. Such a cerem ony sym bolized a beg our Lord for His supplement and grace.
growth opportunity and also brought a message
Hong Kong has been facing various crises
of peace to the residents of this so-called "city of
and its economy and well-being are suffering. The
sadness", representing the blessing from the Hong
quality of life has kept declining. Meanwhile, we
Kong religious sector.
found that the spiritual and moral standards of
This year also marked the 55th anniversary of society are dropping. Especially in matters related
the Hong Kong Christian Council. Two days before to com m unity, fam ily, education and youth, we
the Annual General Meeting, the Council held the are compromising with the standards of our faith.
Mission Consultation of the Hong Kong Churches Even our values and church practices are following
2009. It not only helped to review the dynamics and earthly standards. We have only conformed to the
situation between society and church, but it also patterns of the world. When Mr. Barack Obama was
provided an opportunity for practitioners to reflect elected U.S. President, it gave the world great hope
on the future role and direction of the church’s for change. In his inaugural address, he strongly
mission. The theme of the Mission Consultation was urged Am ericans to turn around, to reclaim the
“To Whom Shall We Go?” This reminds us when spiritual roots of the founders of the nation. We
we face all kinds of challenges and difficulties, we need a turnaround in Hong Kong as well. Let us
must still be faithful to our calling, focused on Jesus renew and change ourselves to return to precepts
Christ and looking to Him as our head, being His of God, carrying His fragrance and transforming the
loyal servants to bring peace to the people. Also, we world. Therefore, I hope the theme of our Mission
have to keep transforming and renewing our society. Consultation of Hong Kong Churches 2009 would
Of course, we must be very grateful to our Lord for enlighten our minds and stir our hearts to move
His guiding and blessing the Council in the past 55 forward. We need to seek the abundant life, to go
years. Therefore, we are able to fulfill the calling to through hardships and adversity with hope, to create
be peacemakers and channels of peace, actively a beautiful witness to glorify God. We have asked
promoting church unity and breaking down walls God: “To Whom Shall We Go?” Let us employ His
and bridging up the gap. Playing the role of prophet, word to plant the fruit that is pleasing in His sight.
shepherd and servant, we have developed platforms
" May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope
by the power of the Holy Spirit."
(Romans 15:13)
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