Every week, more than 300 students flood into the Life Centre for Cantonese lessons. For many of them, it may be their first time entering a church building. The purpose of the Cantonese Class Ministry is to help Mandarin-speaking new immigrants, students, workers, and their family members settle into life in Hong Kong through learning Cantonese.
However, the Cantonese Class Ministry is more than merely a language learning activity or social activity; it is a way for us to live out Jesus’ command to love our neighbors. Our vision is, through teaching Cantonese, to share the gospel with those who come. We are putting into practice the command to make disciples of all nations.
What an opportunity to proclaim Jesus right on our doorstep!
SAC Cantonese Class Ministry has been around for more than 20 years and is a key ministry of SAC PTH congregation. Given the sheer number of students, this ministry cannot continue without the faithful service of our 30+ volunteers, the majority of whom co-lead small groups in pairs on Sundays. Besides teaching, some of us prepare our own teaching materials week by week; others get to know the students outside of the Cantonese Class; and some assist with welcoming and set-up. I am truly encouraged by the faithful service of these volunteer teachers. It is not a small commitment to devote over two hours on a Sunday to this ministry. Many students have expressed their gratitude toward our volunteers—for teaching them Cantonese, providing all sorts of support outside of the class, and some have even come to know Jesus through their teachers!
We have never advertised the Cantonese class beyond our website and the usual flyers, yet people keep coming. We have had huge numerical growth in the last couple of years. In the first two of weeks of the new autumn term, we recorded 375 and 506 participants respectively. About 50 students joined the Alpha course and heard the good news of Jesus. Praise God for His work in and through this ministry. What an opportunity to proclaim Jesus right on our doorstep!
How can you get involved? You can start by praying for us. Please pray for unity among the volunteer team, that we may have the same mind of Christ as we serve. Pray for more willing and capable volunteers for this immense harvest field! Pray that the Spirit may be at work to soften the hearts of those who come so they would stay for the Alpha course, hear the gospel, and come to know Jesus.
The second way to get involved is to consider becoming a Cantonese teacher yourself. Many of our teachers have no formal teaching training but are native or highly proficient Cantonese speakers with a heart for the lost. If you are interested, I would love to chat with you!
Please email pthministry@standrews.org.hk for more information.
