March 1964.....the Hong Kong Peak is issued by missionaries of the ABFMS.

Consultation on World Mission

     The early church shook the world. "These men have turned the world upside down," said their critics. What of the present-day Christian movement? Does the church really have a Gospel for which it is willing to risk all?

      Baptist leaders from Asia, Africa, Europe, and the United States converged upon Hong Kong to meet in a consultation on World Mission, December 27, 1963 to Jan. 6, 1964. Fifty-nine persons representing national conventions related to the American Baptist Foreign Mission Society attended. India sent a total of fourteen delegates, four from South India, five from Northeast India (Assam), and five from Bengal Orissa. Japan sent five delegates and one observer. The Philippines was represented by five delegates and one observer. Okinawa sent two delegates: Thailand sent three. Four came from Congo, one from Europe, and twelve from the United States. Five from Hong Kong attended as delegates, five as observers, and others came to the open sessions and for times of fellowship. Only Burma was not represented. This was disappointing especially in light of the recent celebrations of the one hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the beginning of Christian work in that great land. Aside from those from the United States, of the forty-seven delegates and observers, thirtyfive were nationals of their various countries and twelve were missionaries of the American Baptist Foreign Mission Society.

     Each delegation presented a report of the work in their area. The growth of the church in number and in strength, the development of leaders, new areas of witness, problems encountered, the needs - whether for buildings or for knowledge how to proceed - these appeared in the area reports. Set beside those were talks on the issues confronting us as we witness and how to relate our faith to the actual needs of people. The Rev. Hisakichi Saito of Japan told the story of his forty years in the ministry, witnessing not only through house-to-house evangelism, but through leadership on government-related committees against delinquency.

      The theological basis of mission was discussed by Dr. John E. Skoglund, professor at Colgate Rochester Divinity School. Another background paper, written by Dr. Herbert C. Jackson now of the Missionary Research Library in New York City, was entitled, "Analysis of Historical Framework of Mission". Dr. W. Hubert Porter, associate general secretary of the American Baptist Convention, spoke on Baptist doctrine of the church, and ecumenism.

     The delegates and observers were divided into five discussion groups in which sat persons from each area participating in the consultation. These small groups grappled with basic issues of purpose and procedure. A series of sixteen recommendations was adopted in plenary session regarding future program and policies. These recommendations are to be considered by the participating national bodies, and the American Baptist Foreign Mission Society.

     The place of the consultation was in itself interesting. The Christian Study Center on Chinese Religions and Culture, located on the mountaintop called Tao Fung Shan (near the town of Shatin, and about half way between Kowloon and Chung Chi College) housed the delegates and fed them well. Dr. Richard Bush, Director of the Study Center, led the group in an hour of Bible study each morning, on the theme of world mission, using Corinthians as the basis of the study. Each day started and came to a close with a devotional period. The days will be long remembered by those who were present. The understanding reached, plans and policies made will affect our work f or many years to come.

Meet This Leader

     Mr. Charles K. W. Kueh is one of a family of seven sons and three daughters. Their father was a doctor of notable standing, and an elder in the Presbyterian church. The grandparents also were Christian, so that Charles is a third-generation Christian. The children were brought up in mission schools, in the South China area.

      Twelve years ago Charles and a brother left their home in Swatow to find refuge in Hong Kong. He entered Bethel Seminary, and at the same time worked as janitor in the Kowloon City Swatow Baptist Church. Later he taught in the Kwun Tong Roof-top School, established by the church.

     Charles has continued to study to prepare himself for Christian service. He received an A.B. degree in education and social studies from the Canton College of Hong Kong. More recently he has received a degree from Baptist College (associated with the Southern Baptist Convention) having done his work in history and geography.

     In November 1962 Mr. Kueh became pastor of the Homantin Swatow Baptist Church, while he was still a student. Now as a graduate he continues to serve the church as full-time worker, Charles Kueh is a fine example of a dedicated and industrious Christian leader.

New Chapels, New Opportunites

     On January 5, 1961, a new chapel was officially opened in the Causeway Bay area of the island of Hong Kong,. Rev. Russel E. Brown preached the dedication sermon and several members of the consultation attended. For two years leaders from the Shaukiwan Swatow Baptist Chapel had been holding weekly street meetings in the area. Late in 1963 they found an apartment in a new building which they converted into a chapel.

     Another chapel has been established since that day, on a roof-top of one of the blocks in the Wan Tau Hom Resettlement Area. This chapel, sponsored by the Kowloon City Swatow Baptist Church, already has more than one hundred people worshipping regularly on Sunday afternoons. During the week a primary school is operated by the church for the children of the area.

     The Homantin Swatow Baptist Church has operated a roof-top primary school for some time, using the space for worship services on Sunday. Recently it doubled the size of the school, by securing the second wing of the H-shaped building. The Swatow Baptist churches now have a total of four roof-top primary schools.

Conference Goers

     Representing the Family Life Committee of the Hong Kong Christian Council, Ruth Noren attended a consultation in Bangkok, February 21 - 25, on "The Churches in Asia and Responsible Parenthood". Members of the consultation presented a plan to the East Asia Christian Conference to aid churches with problems related to changing patterns in Asian family life.

      The World Council on Christian Education sent Mildred Proctor to a conference in Jabalpur, India, in January. The government of India recognizes that religion is an essential part of education. This conference prepared outlines for courses in both Christian education, and moral education for use in Christian schools.

Grateful for the Years

     Miss Edna DeWitt Smith left Hong Kong on February 16 for retirement. Edna came to Swatow, in the South China field in December 1921, and for most of the forty-two years since has been involved closely with the work of the Swatow-speaking churches, first in the South China Mission, and for the past ten years, in Hong Kong. For a short time when it was not possible to return to China, she worked in Burma. Now, grateful for the years God has given her in this. work, she has returned to the States.

     With a ready command of the Swatow dialect, and a warm love for people she has been an effective counselor in many situations. Tourists and many others who have passed through Hong Kong will recall her untiring service in showing the work which is being done here, and the beauties of the colony.

Missionaries....
Mr. and Mrs. John Espy
Rev. and Mrs. Alvin D. Koons
Rev. and Mrs. Loren E. Noren
Miss Mildred Proctor
Rev. and Mrs. Hugh W. Smith