My wife and I moved back to Hong Kong with our 6-month old daughter 31 years ago. Our original plan was to stay for 5 years, but God had another plan for us, and we are still here. Following a brief search of various churches, we settled into St Andrew’s. Sometimes we jokingly introduce ourselves to newcomers as part of the furniture in St Andrew’s.
Our attachment to this home church started with helping in the creche (with our children). This was one of the reasons we stayed: a good children’s programme, but also solid Bible teaching and sermons. I am happy to say that these strong reasons still hold today, and I thank God for that.
What keeps me serving in church is my belief that God is always close to me
Over the years, God moved me to serve in different roles at appropriate times, including being an usher and homegroup leader, in buildings management and on the Council, and as a member of the prayer team and prison ministry team. During my low times, God arranged for me to rest from serving when I felt tired and needed refuge and protection, like a young chicken under a mother hen’s wings (Psalm 91:4). I am grateful that the church never pushed me into serving when I was not ready. They are patient, but God is also always in control. Several times our Heavenly Father reminded me: ‘in view of God’s mercy, offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship’ (Romans 12:1). He used different channels and messengers to nudge me to come out of my comfort zone and serve again. The key question was whether I would obediently listen to him and do what he had assigned to me.
I am currently serving as a member of the welcome team and prayer team. What keeps me serving in church is my belief that God is always close to me, whether I feel him or not. One typical example is that many times after prison visits, through the inmates, I felt God’s love and forgiveness. Sometimes I was not excited prior to visiting, but having talked to inmates, I was grateful and thanked God that I went. It was like God was telling me that I should think less of myself and more of him and others.
Unless I serve God wholeheartedly, I would not be able to feel the joy, peace with God and the closeness to God. God loves cheerful givers (2 Corinthians 9:7), so I encourage you to give your time to serve.
