|
|
| The
Hong Kong Church of God
Pastors-In-Training
Program
Preparing and Equipping
Church of God Ministers to Serve Hong Kong, Asia, and Beyond |
Establishing a Base
The HKCOG is the only Church of God in Hong Kong. The congregation consists
primarily of young people under the age of 30. Currently, about 75 people attend
the church which is led by National Leader Edmund Leung. Beginning in 2002, a
number of our young people began to feel a call into full-time ministry for the
Church of God. This led to the establishment of the Pastors-in-Training Program
which seeks to prepare our young people for future ministry as senior pastors,
youth pastors, children’s pastors, and/or missionaries. It is our hope that
these young people and this program will help to establish a base for future ministry
throughout Hong Kong and the World. |
Meet The Pastors in Training
Currently we have five Pastors-in-Training committed to preparing themselves
for career ministry in the Church of God. All of them are in their 20’s.
|
Title: Church Worker
Began: Oct. 2002
Training for: Pastorate
Hobbies: bingo
Current Project: Janet is currently enrolled in a rigorous
seminary program where she must study theology in English and Chinese, do practical
ministry, and live a very disciplined spiritual life within the seminary community.
It is a three year program. |
Title: Church Worker
Began: Sept. 2002
Training for: Associate Pastor
Hobbies: piano, movies, window shopping
Current Project: Angel is focusing on evangelism to high
school students. She leads the English Encounter program, leads a cell group that
is doing a very ambitious Evangelism program and makes contact with youths. |
|
Title: Intern
Began: Oct. 2003
Training for: Pastorate
Hobbies: badminton, reading, pc games
Current Projects: William is focusing on reaching out
to teenagers. He is managing two cell groups. |
Title: Intern
Began: Oct. 2003
Training for: ministry undecided
Hobbies: hiking, sports, playing music
Current Projects: Thomas is a cell group leader, serves
on the worship team (guitar), and assists Angel with English Encounters. |
|
Title: Church Worker
Began: April 2004
Training for: Children & Family Pastor
Hobbies: Taking Walks, Reading, Sports, and Sleeping
Current Projects: Elaine will be working on developing
the primary school ministry at our church and also assisting with developing a
toddler's ministry and working with the college age cell group. She has proven
herself to be very gifted with children both at our church and at another church. |
SUPPORT: Two Ways That You Can Help
Say Hello: Send a message of encouragement to
our Pastors in Training. They can read English. Click on their name above and
write them a greeting!
Financially support the Pastor-in-training Program.
The cost of raising up pastors in Hong Kong is very high. Since most of our congregation
consists of youth, the church struggles to meet its financial obligations, yet
it is probably one of the highest per capita giving churches in the Church of
God with an average monthly tithe of over $10,000 U.S. We believed that our Pastors
in Training have been called and we are not turning them away. We are trusting
God to help us find a way to support them in ministry. If you would like to be
a part of helping support them, CONTACT US. |
The decision to go into ministry in this culture can be a difficult one. Traditional
Chinese families often have a hard time understanding why a young person would
choose ministry as a career. Most of our young people are first-generation Christians
that come from families that are not always supportive of their faith. Please
remember to pray for these young people that have decided to take this
bold step for Christ.
|
The Program
The path toward ordination in Hong Kong is different than in the United States.
In line with traditional Chinese culture, there is more of an emphasis on learning
to work under authority and being supported by and supporting one’s family
(church family in this case).
Parishoners expressing a desire to prepare for full-time ministry are interviewed
by the pastor and members of the Church Board to assess their call and potential
for ministry. Candidates are then put on a 6 month internship in which they receive
a small monthly stipend for food and transportation. If after 6 months they feel
secure in their call, they are hired as “full-time church workers”
where they learn to serve in a variety of areas, but focus on one area where they
feel most called. As full-church workers, they receive a full salary. At some
point during their employment, they will proceed to seminary or other formal education
which is paid in full by the church. Upon having completed their education they
are expected to return to the church and serve the church for a few years as “evangelists”
before the one-year ordination process begins leading to their becoming “pastors.”
Unlike most ordination processes in the United States where candidates go to
an ordination board and are then placed in a church internship, perhaps educated
at their own expense, and then evaluated for a period of a few years, ministerial
candidates in Hong Kong are raised up from their home congregation which supports
them spiritually, financially, and in ministry from beginning to end. It places
a huge financial burden upon the church, but it provides maximum support and accountability
for the pastor-in-training as they prepare for ministry.
During the program Pastors-in-training will have the opportunity to teach,
lead cell groups, identify their gifts, study the Bible and Christian theology,
receive a formal education, serve the church in a variety of duties, experience
cross-cultural mission and represent the Church of God overseas at conferences
and important meetings. National leader Edmund Leung alongside Missionaries Patrick
and Jamie Nachtigall are committed to raising up a new generation of Church of
God pastors in Asia. |
|
 |
|
|
