Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood.
(Acts 20:28)
The appointment of elders in the New Testament churches marked an important milestone in church leadership and spiritual maturity.
The Hong Kong church, with a 23 year history, embraces this next step of growth as we witness the Holy Spirit appoint three spiritual brothers with shepherding gifts as our first Elders. Their wives are also exemplary in supporting their husbands as well as meeting the needs of the sisters for the past two decades. We are privileged to have with us elders from different churches to celebrate this special occasion with us; Scott and Lynne Green, from the Seattle Church of Christ, who has planted, lead and served the church here in HK for over ten years and Dave Weger and Darryl Howell from the Bay Area Christian Church.
I would like to briefly introduce these brothers to recognize and honor their labor of love and their Spiritual examples:
Dan Liu
Dan was baptized in 1984 in Boston and joined the Hong Kong Mission Team in 1988. He had been appointed as an Evangelist in 1989, and joined the Taipei Mission Team in 1991. Both Dan and Elexa helped many people become Christians in the first few years in Taipei, but then the Holy Spirit called them to serve in HOPE Worldwide a few years later. Instead of being frustrated or disheartened by the change of roles every few years, Dan truly believed that God had a great plan for him, in whatever role he could play in the Kingdom. HOPE Worldwide has become a great partner with the Church and exemplary in serving the communities in both China and Hong Kong. Dan and Elexa have two boys: Brian is 16, and Steven is 12.
Anthony So
Anthony was baptized in 1986, and his wife, Evelyn, was the first baptism in the Hong Kong Church. Anthony has been a dentist at the HK Government clinics for the past 32 years, and he has served tirelessly at the Kowloon Region as a Preteens Deacon for many years. His love for the saints and kindness to listen to the needs of others has been an inspiration for many. Anthony and Evelyn have a son, Victor, who is currently studying at University of Washington, and a daughter, Lydia, who is 15.
Turner Sin
Turner was baptized in 1989, and soon gave up a lucrative dental practice to join the full-time ministry in 1993. Besides their work with the Hong Kong Church, Turner and Elizabeth have also labored in the Churches in China and Australia. Turner loves to play tennis, and his zeal for the ministry at the young age of 70 has been an upward call to many. Both their daughters, Renee and Dorene, are married. Starting in January 1, 2011, Turner and Elizabeth will become our first ever self-support full-time ministry staff. Their sacrifice and faith continue to glorify God and inspire the Church.
Over the past two decades, I have grown very close to these brothers, and I ask you to join in prayers, as these men of God lead and shepherd the Hong Kong Church with the staff team. We are confident that the Lord will work through them in a powerful way to bring greater glory to His Name.
Steve Chin
Lead Evangelist