Page 200 - Preservation for the Documentation of Chinese Christianity

early lay leadership from within these groups bear fruit to the point it has been possible to appoint a Minister
from the Church in the Philippines to come to support the work.

So the history of our Church strongly points to the important contribution of our lay people, especially in the
context of an international city with its flexible population trends. As we look to the future and its possible
uncertainties, the training and equipping of our lay people for leadership and witness should be a high priority
on our Church and Council agendas. It will always be lay people who will be the front line Christian presence in
the worlds of business and commerce, industry and trade, home and school. And of course Hong Kong is not
only a receiving but also a sending community. In today's world our lay people are going to become our
representatives in many places both near and far.

Our own understanding of the faith and the world and its peoples have constantly been enriched by the
opportunities of sharing that have come to us over the years. As we serve so we learn and grow, and we
ourselves are grateful for the gracious way in which we have often been received, enabling us to be part of the
sharing process.

The contribution each of us makes is very much strengthened by knowing it to be part of a wider fellowship.
Indeed while we have been in Hong Kong it has been good to know that the Asia Pacific Secretaries of our
Methodist Overseas Division back in U.K. have been Asian Christians, firstly Swami Nathan Jacob from Sri
Lanka and now Akuila Yabaki from Fiji. It is to be hoped that the patterns of exchange and sharing can be a
growing part of our Christian vision. It is of great help to those of us engaged in ministry with the local
Churches to be able to look to the Christian Councils for our link with the wider world Church and all its
peoples.

Congratulations to the HKCC on all the achievements of the past 40 years and may God's direction and blessing
be yours in the important years that lie ahead.

With Christian Greetings,

(Rev. John White was Minister-in-charge of the Methodist Church (English Speaking) in Wanchai, Hong Kong.)

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