May 1979.....the Hong Kong Peak is issued by missionaries of the ABFMS.

GROWTH OF AN URBAN CHURCH NEAR HONG KONG'S AIRPORT

The tower had to be removed from the Kowloon City Swatow Baptist Church at the time Hong Kong's expanding airport required a new approach path to the jet runway. It's hard to believe the present congregation in Kowloon City, when you think of the quiet village neighborhood where the Church started in 1938, with only 20 members. Present membership is over 2,500. And this 'mother church" has also established 5 chapels and 2 self -supporting churches which have more than 1,500 members.

The Church celebrated its 40th Anniversary on October 15, 1978. Rev. Joseph Yiu, Pastor, led the Church in the celebration of this event. Rev. Loren E. Noren was invited to preach the Anniversary sermon. He and Ruth were honored with the presentation of a beautiful Plaque, in appreciation of their 32 years as "partners in witness to Christ among the Swatow Chinese People".

Through the years, weekly visitation in homes of both members and non-members has been an enthusiastic effort of the lay people of this church.The women continue to be a core of strength.

Christian worship is a part of music training in choirs and a Summer Music Training Conference. Christian family life is a strong emphasis, trying to cope with changing Chinese customs, in a complicated city of merging cultures.

Two worship services are held each Sunday morning in the Kowloon City Swatow Baptist Church. Officers and deacons are representative Of Hong Kong's diverse economy, including fruit vendors, business managers, doctors, tour agents, factory technicians, exporters, secretaries, boutique owners, nurses, and teachers. They work long hours; but they still give priority to earnestly seek and to diligently serve Jesus Christ.

by Ruth Noren

BAPTIST COUNCIL ON WORLD MISSION SENDS NAGA STUDENT FOR TRAINING IN HONG KONG

Through the Baptist Council Of World Mission and the efforts of Mrs. Louise Paw, a young man, Mr. Akheto Sema, has come to Hong Kong to study Church Music for two years. The scholarship is under the Christian Conference of Asia who are providing the travel. Hong Kong Baptist College is giving free tuition, and living expenses are provided by different members of the Baptist Council on World Mission. A Swatow Baptist Church is providing Mr. Sema with a place to live and others are making contributions of cash. This is a good example of cooperation among Asian Christians in the training of leaders.

From the first day Akheto has accomplished quite a smooth shift from his home in the Naga hills to the congested streets of Kowloon. In numerous Chinese groups he has effectively shared his joy in the Christian life. He has told about the customs of his people, their music and prayers. Akheto and Loren Noren sang a duet at the farmers' Christmas worship on Chu Lap Kok Island. They brought Christmas trees back on the ferryboat for use in Swatow churches.

by Loren E. Noren

TENNIS FAMILY IN HONG KONG

Keith and Linda Tennis arrived last September, selected by The Board of International Ministries to join the American Baptist Mission in Hong Kong. Their apartment is within walking distance of the New Asia Language Centre, and is only a few minutes walk from Kowloon Junior School where both daughters attend. All four are very welcome additions to our Mission fellowship.

During full-time language study for Linda and Keith, Keith is teaching an English Bible class at the Castle Peak Swatow Baptist Church, and is a member of the Board of the Chuk Yuen Christian Centre.

FIRST LEARN THE LANGUAGE

Having newly arrived on the mission field here in Hong Kong, our first major undertaking is to learn the language. Our American Baptist Mission has historically been related to the Swatow speaking Chinese, and this relationship continues.

However, for the first time, the leaders of the churches have requested that we learn the Cantonese dialect first, since that is the official language here.

It is used in the schools and thus is what the young people know. Many of the Swatow youth. learn their parent's dialect at home, but are not as proficient in it as they are in Cantonese.

It is a sign of the changing times, and of the adaptability of the Chinese, that they recommend learning Cantonese. We must be able to communicate and work with, the youth if, the church is to be strong and grow.

Cantonese has seven tones, with some variations. The sentence structure is quite different from English. It is a good learning experience to see the different ways in which people express themselves.

by Keith Tennis

OHIO TO HONG KONG

Moving a household with two children half way around the world may not be the easiest thing to do, but it certainly ranks among the most interesting. Hong Kong's masses of people crowding on buses, pushing through stores, and bumping on streets have at times left us all longing, for some quiet place to be alone, but it isn't long until we're ready to get back out on the streets.

Because of the ever changing population here (refugees coming all the time, and some moving to other parts of the world) everyone is either busy working hard to make a home in Hong Kong, or working hard to be able to settle elsewhere. The excessive energy of these people is quite a change from the slow, relaxed pace we knew in rural Thailand.

Although we all like Chinese food, (and can manage chopsticks fairly well) the girls are ever ready to go to one of the several McDonalds scattered throughout the city. Amy and Kim are in a nearby British school and have found making new friends from all parts of the world among the most interesting aspects of moving.

by Linda Tennis

SCHOCKS RETURN

After a full furlough including considerable deputation in American Baptist Churches in the U.S.A., Harold and Estelle Schock returned to Hong Kong in May, 1978.

After resettling in the same apartment they had before furlough they helped with Baptist World Alliance tourists. In spite of summer heat they began their work with Burma Baptists in Macau, Wu Oi Christian Fellowship, Swatow Baptist Women's Association and various responsibilities in the Swatow Baptist Churches.

SCHOCKS' REUNION IN CHINA

More than 30 years had gone by since Estelle had seen her family. In March, Harold and Estelle joined a tour group and spent ten days in China. As they walked into the terminal at the Shanghai airport, Estelle's 86 year old mother, three brothers, her sister and a nephew exchanged excited greetings. The next night 24 relatives gathered in a Shanghai restaurant for a feast, then went to the home where the family grew up together. Memories flooded over Estelle as she walked into her childhood home. When a ten year old nephew played Yankee Doodle on his violin, Harold knew that he too had been accepted into this wonderful family.

After two days in Shanghai, they went to Peking where they visited two other brothers, both doctors, one having come by train from Darien. So they met Estelle's entire family, and were pleased that they all looked so well. For the first time they learned the details of the death of her father, Dr. Chester Miao, in 1969.

Although the Schocks enjoyed many of the historic sights of China, their main objective on this trip was family reunion. For Estelle it was a Sentimental Journey; for both it was "Mission Accomplished". Estelle will return to spend the month of May with her family.

by Harold Schock

CARL AND LOUISE CAPEN RETIRE

Hong Kong's Swatow Baptist Churches were fortunate to have Carl Capen’s discerning administrative leadership during 1975-77. As Mission Correspondent and Treasurer, Carl was highly respected for wise planning, always in close touch with Chinese initiative in God's work.. While in Hong Kong, Louise Capen worked with young adults in the Swatow churches, and carried on the STEP PROGRAM.

To ponder American Baptist partnership in Mission with Chinese people, is to marvel at the 43 -year career of the Capens. Their commitment to communicate the Gospel took them from rugged simple circumstances in rural South China, through intensive language study, then years later, to the sophisticated r i g o r s of urban church life in Bangkok, Penang, and Singapore Wherever they have lived, they enjoyed a wide variety of Chinese friends from all kinds of, backgrounds. They are now speaking in American Baptist churches, especially during this year when the Mission--study theme relates to work with Chinese.

by Ruth Noren

WU OI CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP

We held a 3 - day camp last Fall to instruct volunteers in working with drug addicts,. Over 50 young people attended, many of whom continue to give valuable volunteer service to our drug treatment program.

Since 1977 our treating and training of drug addicts has been located in a remote village called Sha Lo Tung. In three rented huts we have 12 beds for ten addicts and two staff. Of course some addicts run away, but many stay for the full program of three months. A rigid schedule of Bible, prayer and singing combines with recreation and caring for small garden plots and 200 chickens and ducks.

We minister every Saturday in Hong Kong prisons. When one of our young men tells that he himself was a prisoner in this very prison for six months, and then explains how faith in Jesus Christ has made him a new man physically, morally, and spiritually, everyone listens. At one recent meeting 63 men indicated their interest in knowing more about the Christian way of life. These are followed up by letters and home visits with family members.

A recent fifth- anniversary meeting was a reminder that in these five years over 50 men have left a life of drugs, found Christ as Savior, and continue to find joy and peace in the Christian life.

by Harold Schock

SWATOW WOMEN'S GIFT

The Swatow Baptist Women's Association had a big fall reteat for all women at Baptist Garden. Over 200 attended. At that time we pledged to donate H.K.$1500 to the Hong Kong for Christ Crusade. la November the women had their annual Thanksgiving service and took an offering to meet the pledge. When the offering was counted, it came to exactly $1501.

by Estelle Scbock

ASIAN CAUCUS

Asian Caucus leaders of the A.B.C./U.S.A. (Dr. & Mrs. James Chuck, Dr. & Mrs. Paul Nagaao, Miss Tai Shigaki) visited Hong Kong, March 15-19, 1979. The purpose of their visit was to understand the churches in Hong Kong better and to discover ways of mutual relationships between Chinese churches in the U.S.A. and Hong Kong.

They had good discussions with our Staff, Chinese Pastors, visited Baptist College and Chung Chi College Theology Division. On Sunday they preached in the Kwun Tong, Shaukiwau and Shumshuipo Swatow Baptist Churches.

by Loren E. Noren

SOCIAL WORKERS FOR THE FUTURE

This year the Department of Sociology & Social Work of Hong Kong Baptist College graduated the largest number of students in its history,-a total of 122. Although the routine of heading a large department seems to be almost endless (I sign either name or initial on scores of documents daily), there are also many rewarding experiences. A course I offer each semester is The Sociology of Religion in the Spring semester and South-East Asian Cultures in the Fall.

The curriculum of the department has been revised, and we now have excellent Major programs in Sociology and Social Work, and strong Minor programs in Psychology, Criminology, and Recreation. All of our teaching staff have M.A. degrees from American and British Universities. We are the largest department in terms of number of students and we feel that we have become one of the best in training young people to work in the Hong Kong community.

by Bill Hackett

AMERICAN BAPTIST SHORT-TERM WORKERS

Horton and Lorena Presley are American Baptists on contract to Baptist College through the United Board for Christian Higher Education in Asia. Horton roused a standing ovation at the Kwun Tong Swatow Baptist Church when he played a medley of Christmas music on the marimba.

Judy Sutterlin, daughter of former A.B. missionaries in Swatow, China, served effectively as a summer volunteer working with youth in the churches and Christian Centers.

Laurie Bethell is an American Baptist from California who is now teaching at Hong Kong International School. She is also tutoring a few Swatow girls in English.

Dr. and Mrs Robert Mitchell left in March after a sabbatical from the American Baptist Seminary of the West, Berkeley. They served for three months in Chung Chi College and the Swatow Baptist Churches.

HONG KONG BAPTIST COLLEGE TEACHER

Marion Hackett teaches New Testament and Old Testament at Baptist College.  Because she is a lifelong Bible scholar and Translator, colleagues envy her students the opportunity for new understandings of the Scriptures. The Hacketts continue their work in Macau every other weekend, with Burma Baptists.

AN OUTSTANDING CHINESE WORKER

(the story of Mrs. P.B. Chen)

"If you hold it too tight you strangle it ... but if you relax too much ,it flies away!" Mrs. P.B. Chen said this in comparing a bird to a new Inquirer learning about the Christian faith.

Mrs Chen tells of working with her husband in a small village in South Chiua, -"Although the villagers were deeply entangled in a, network of superstitions, three years of hard work resulted in fifteen conversions. "To escape the Sino-Japanese war, they moved across the border to Hong Kong.

But there was no escape. During the terror of heavy fighting in Hong Kong, Mr. and Mrs. Chen met daily at 7 A.M. on a ,Gospel Ship" with more than a thousand people. Undaunted by semi-starvation and hardship(1941-45), they visited in homes and brought hope through the love of Jesus Christ.

After the war, the Chens had a successful business going, but used their leisure time to serve the Lord. When her husband died, Mrs. Chen became deeply discouraged, but through prayer she gained back her energetic commitment. She herself started a chapel and then asked her son-in-law to be the volunteer pastor. Mrs. Chen continued her habit of home visitation. In twenty-two years the church has grown to more than 300 members, now known as The Castle Peak Swatow Baptist Church.

Mrs. Chen's daughter is volunteer youth worker an d pianist, besides having her own teaching career. The son-in-law Pastor Wong Siau Po, is now fulltime with the church.

Meantime a new community developed in Kwai Chung where Hong Koug's "container" industry started. In a small rented apartment Mrs. Chen's voice could be heard, even outside the door, as she shared the Word of God. Again the hearts of listeners were touched by her sincerity. The chapel has grown.

At age 68, Mrs. Chen tells humbly about her past struggles. Her own miracle-healing at an early age is still a real strength in her faith. She occasionally admits to fatigue, but ceaselessly continues to love and welcome newcomers into fellowship with The Source of her own strength.

by Ruth Noren

TRAINING BUSINESS LEADERS

My work at the Lingnan institute Of Business Administration, a graduate division of The Chinese University of Hong Kong, continues to be a "mix" of administration, teaching and public relations. I was Acting Director of the Institute during the 1977/78 academic year and, upon the arrival of Professor An-min Chung (from Drexel University in Philadelphia) in September, I resumed my teaching of courses in management, finance, human relations and business policy. Hong Kong's business community is very heterogeneous; every kind of business enterprise is represented. The opportunities for the Institute's M. B. A. graduates are unlimited, and most of our 185 graduates are doing, extremely well. The opening of The People's Republic of China to foreign trade and investment will bring even greater opportunities to Hong Kong's business organizations and to young Chinese men and women with sound training in the methods and practices of modern management.

by John Espy

I work two days weekly in the Cataloging Department at Hong Kong Baptist College. Two days I do brailling at The Society for the Blind. I continue to work on the updating of telephone lists in braille for Chinese University telephone operators. One of the operators attends Chung Chi Chapel services with. us on Sunday mornings. John and I spent three days in Canton, China last Fall.

by Ruth ESPY

LOUISE GIFFIN RETIRES

Youth in Hong Kong know Louise Giffin for her expertise as staff member of a Summer Training Conference in Church Music. Although Louise has visited in Hong Kong for only brief periods, she has innumerable friends, many who honor her as the one who gave them joy in Christ.

Louise speaks several Chinese dialects, is well-known for her sense of humor. She was a favorite English teacher in the Swatow area of South China. After 21 months in confinement in Swatow, Louise bid farewell to China in 1953.

The following year, Louise studied the Thai language, then started a new phase of her missionary career, as a residential teacher at Sammuk Academy Bang Saen, Thailand. Since retirement in 1978, she has been speaking in churches in the U. S. A. Louise has been invited to participate in the dedication of The Giffin Memorial Chapel in Thailand this spring. Hong Kong friends look forward to seeing her enroute.

STEP REPORT

The Student Tuition and Expenses Program (STEP) continues to meet a real need for students from economically deprived families.

Those assisted fall into the follow categories:

1) Form II through Form VI students for whom the family must pay high school fees. These range from US $10.00 to US$35-00 per month.

2) Young people connected to Swatow Baptist Churches who need financial assistance for piano lessons. These students are active in church youth groups and Sunday Schools. As soon as they are able, they play for weekly meetings in the church. These leadership scholarships help to provide some well -trained pianists for the churches.

3) Allowances for primary students from underprivileged families.

One year’s scholarship for High School Students amounts to US$100.00 to US$250.00.

One year's scholarship for Piano Students-US$100.00 to US$200.00.

The type of student receiving STEP assistance is changing- Primary education in Hong Kong is now free. STEP sometimes Provides books and uniforms where there is special need. In the secondary schools, Form 1, II and III will be free as of next year. So STEP's assistance will be primarily to students in Forms IV and V. Assistance is still given to church youth for piano lessons.

Gifts to STEP make an impact on young lives who in turn influence and help others. The increasing costs of both high school and piano tuition make the need for further contributions an urgent need if present level of assistance is to be maintained.

by June Sutton

Missionaries....
Dr. and Mrs. John Espy (Ruth)
Dr. and Mrs. William D. Hackett (Marion)
Dr. and Mrs. Loren E. Noren (Ruth)
Rev. and Mrs. Harold Schock (Estelle)
Miss June M. Sutton
Rev. and Mrs. Keith Tennis (Linda)