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The  Chairperson’s  Remarks
                                             M r.  S im o n  S it


      Thanks  be to  God  for His  mercy  and  guidance  all   that they may face with full confidence and firmness
      through  the  year  of  1995-96  that  has  enabled  the   all the  pressures  and  challenges  from  our  complex
      Hong  Kong  Christian  Council  to  accomplish  its   society.
      tasks smoothly.  Under the co-operation of member
                                                     The Council  will  also  like to  act as  a  liaison  body
      churches  and  organizations,   members  of  the
      Executive  Committee  and  staff of the  Council,  all   between  churches  of Hong  Kong  and  churches  of
      activities  and  programs  have  been  promoted  in  an   China.  The Council explores potential contacts and
      effective  manner.  On  behalf  of  the  Council,  I   joint projects  in  China in  order to  facilitate  mutual
      would  like to give  grateful  thanks  to  all  who  have   interaction.  All these tasks  are to be implemented
      participated  in  and  contributed  to  the  work  of the   under the three principles laid out in the Basic Law -
       Council.                                      mutual   respect,   non-inteference   and   non­
                                                     subordination.
      It has been forty-two years since the founding of the
       Council  in  1954.   During  the  past  years,  we   Hong Kong is now moving towards  1997 with only
       continuously witnessed the presence of God.  With   one  more  year  to  go  before  China  exercises  its
       God5s  merciful  grace  and  love,  together  with  the   sovereignty.  I believe this will be the most critical
       support of the church and the enthusiastic effort that   moment full of trials and challenges in the history of
      the  church  leaders  have  given,  the  Council  can   Hong  Kong.  Due  to  the  fact  that  the  world  has
       steadily  develop  and  progress.   Nevertheless,  the   changed so rapidly socially and politically, we have
       Council  fervently  takes  up  its  responsibility  in   to  work  even  harder  to  consolidate  our  ties  of
       serving  the  church  and  the  society  of Hong  Kong   fellowship, to enhance church unity, and to fomulate
       according to its objectives and goals.        new  and  practical  strategic  plans  for  meeting
                                                     different situations  in the new era to  come.  To be
       Among all the objectives  of the  Council,  the major   the  light  of the  world  and  salt  of the  earth  will
       one  is  to  motivate  the  churches  of Hong  Kong  to   remain our goal and task.  It is our anticipation that
       witness  as  one  and  to  promote  Christian  missions,
                                                     the Council will be given the strength to continue to

       encouraging not only Christians5active participation   play the role of a prophet and to set a good example
       in church missions but also service to the people of   as  God’s  servant  according  to  the  Council's
       Hong Kong and concern about the social changes in   objectives and working spirit.
       the society.  One of the special tasks of the Council
       is to unite the churches and Christian organizations   Finally,  I  would  like to  conclude  with  words  from
       of Hong Kong in order to achieve the ultimate goal -   Zechariah 4:6:  “…This  is the word of the Lord to
       church unity in the foreseeable future.       Zerubbabel:  Not by might, not by power, but by my
                                                     spirit, says the Lord of hosts.”
       According  to  the  above-mentioned  objectives,  the
       Council  works  actively  and  positively  to  enhance
       effective  communications  between  Christians  and
       churches of Hong Kong for the purpose of achieving
       real  progress  in  the  development  of churches  and
       social issues.  Besides, it is also hoped that through
       different  kinds  of  training  and  resource  sharing
       programs,  Christians  and  churches  in  Hong  Kong
       will  thus be  spiritually benefitted.  By  encouraging
       the churches to lead with a lively spirit and to raise
       the quality of discipleship, the faith of the Christians
       and churches in Hong Kong can be strengthened so






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