Pray for Hong Kong on Sunday June 17, 2012

Pray for Hong Kong on Sunday June 17, 2012

Prayers for Hong Kong: Mark 4:26-34

We pray for the spirit of the mustard seed to be planted in our community, Lord. In Hong Kong, we are witnesses to a society in need of mustard seeds. We watch our highest political official—our city’s chief executive—spend US$6,900 for a one-night stay in a suite on a recent trip to Brazil when about 100,000 people in our community pay rent for a home in a bunk bed. We watch the gap between the rich and the poor constantly rank among the highest of developed economies in the world with the richest 10 percent of our people enjoying nearly 35 percent of the city’s wealth and the poorest 10 percent of the community having only 2 percent. We watch homes become less and less affordable for many homeowners in Hong Kong while visitors from mainland China pay HK$30 million (US$3.8 million) in cash to buy five or six apartments.

This is our imbalanced society, Lord, with its unjust relationships. We pray that we will find the mustard seed you have planted in our hearts, Lord, so that the values of your Kingdom and the Mustard Seed Spirit will be reflected in our lives and relationships. Amen.

Mission Stewardship Moment from Hong Kong:

“We cannot bring change alone. If we want to bring change, we need to cooperate with each other.”

This reflection by Subarna Poli Drong from Bangladesh encapsulates not only her thoughts at the conclusion of the 14-week School of Peace (SOP) in Bangalore, India, conducted by Interfaith Cooperation Forum (ICF) but also lies at the heart of ICF’s efforts to build a regional interfaith network of young people working for justpeace in Asia since 2003.

This year 20 participants—the largest number since the inception of SOP in 2006—took part in the program from Feb. 1 to May 14. The participants were from four faith backgrounds—Buddhism, Christianity, indigenous spirituality and Islam—and 12 countries—Bangladesh, Burma, Cambodia, Canada, England, Papua in Indonesia, Laos, the Philippines, Thailand, Timor-Leste, the United States and Vietnam. It is the first time that participants from outside of Asia have taken part in SOP with two Native American women from Canada and the United States and a staff member of a local YMCA in England joining this year’s SOP. With these new SOP alumni, the ICF network has now expanded to 88 people in 16 countries to work for interfaith justpeace in their communities.

(Prayer and Mission Moment by Bruce Van Voorhis)

Video Resources for Hong Kong:

–          Judy Chan, GM Missionary: http://globalministries.org/resources/multimedia-resources/videos/video-mission-moments/hong-kong-the-church.html

–          Bruce Van Voorhis, GM Missionary: http://globalministries.org/resources/multimedia-resources/videos/video-mission-moments/hong-kong-human-rights.html

Global Ministries International Partners Hong Kong:

  • Asia and Pacific Alliance of YMCAs: http://www.asiapacificymca.org/ – Federation of YMCA movements in 27 countries in the Asia and Pacific region, with programs for global citizenship and social responsibility, peace with justice and sustainability for life.

  • Asian Human Rights Commission: http://www.ahrchk.net/index.php – An independent, non-governmental body, which seeks to promote greater awareness and realization of human rights in the Asia region, and to mobilize Asian and international public opinion to obtain relief and redress for the victims of human rights violations.

  • Christian Study Centre on Chinese Religion and Culture: http://www.csccrc.org -Ecumenical research institute for study of the religions and culture of China, including Hong Kong.

  • Chung Chi College Divinity School: http://www.cuhk.edu.hk/theology – Ecumenical seminary providing theological education for church leaders and laity. The school is supported by mainline churches and is part of the Chinese University of Hong Kong.

  • Hong Kong Christian Council: http://www.hkcc.org.hk – Ecumenical body of mainline churches and Christian organizations. It works for a united Christian witness and mission in Hong Kong society.

  • Hong Kong Christian Institute: http://www.hkci.org.hk/ – Christian center for education and advocacy on issues of social concern.  The organization promotes human rights, democracy and justice in Hong Kong.

  • Hong Kong Christian Service: http://www.hkcs.org/index_e.htm – One of HK’s largest social service agencies. It was started by mainline churches and provides Christian Service for “The Healing and Growth of People.”

  • Hong Kong Council of the Church of Christ in China: http://www.hkcccc.org/   – Hong Kong church denomination with historic Congregational and Presbyterian roots. The Council has 66 congregations and is the sponsoring body for more than 80 schools for kindergarten, elementary, secondary and evening students.

  • Hong Kong Women Christian Council: http://www.hkwcc.org.hk/en – Organization to fight for social justice and women’s rights, to promote feminist theology and to stand with marginalized communities.

More info on Hong Kong: http://globalministries.org/eap/countries/hong-kong/

Global Ministries Missionaries in Hong Kong:

  • Judy Chan is a Global Ministries missionary serving with the Hong Kong Christian Council in communications.  She is in charge of ecumenical radio broadcasting ministry, English publications and ecumenical partnerships in Hong Kong and overseas.

  • Bruce Van Voorhis serves as missionary with the Asia and Pacific Alliance of YMCAs in Hong Kong. He works as their Coordinator for Interfaith Programs since July 1, 2009.