Joshua Cho President The President’s Council (“Council”) of Hong Kong Baptist Theological Seminary (“HKBS”) was established in the 1980s. Later, the development of the Senate slowed down and the opportunities for members to meet and communicate with each other gradually decreased. It was not until 2009 that the situation began to improve when I reconvened the Senate members and held regular meetings every year. After ten years, I am pleased to see that the relationship between members has become closer and they are increasingly able to play the role of advisors. As our relationships grow closer, the atmosphere at the annual gatherings is always heated and exciting. Members are enthusiastic and willing to share their knowledge and experiences without reservation. ...

The Dean’s Council is an important advisory body of Hong Kong Baptist Theological Seminary, assisting the Dean, offering advice and suggestions for the development of the Seminary and making valuable contributions. Therefore, this issue of "Institute News" invited Dean Cao Weitong to talk about this organization and interviewed some members to share their feelings and ideas. ...

Li Jiangyong (M.Div.) Li Jiangyong and Dean Cao Weitong remember their initial aspirations when they first arrived at Baptist Theological Seminary. The teacher soon arranged for mainland students to introduce themselves. At that time, I introduced my purpose in this way: My purpose of coming to Baptist Theological Seminary was to become a good preacher; to provide solid messages on the pulpit and to shepherd the believers well. In the past two and a half years, my goal has been very clear. Based on the belief of "never forgetting the original intention and keeping the mission in mind", I have continued to study hard and achieved all-round development in the five aspects of spirit, morality, intelligence, physique and sociality. ...

Eric Wong (MCS), Master of Christian Studies Eric Wong and other students reviewed their three-year study life. They said that the theological training not only enabled them to gain knowledge, but also enabled them to serve the church more effectively. The teachings in the seminary made me realize that "thinking seriously about God, preaching seriously about God, and bearing witness to God seriously" is our responsibility as created beings and the true purpose of our creation. Theology is important to the Christian community because it concerns how we know God and how we know others around us. ...

Michael Tang (M.Div) Searching for answers in faith I still remember when I applied for the interview at Baptist Theological Seminary, the dean asked me why I wanted to study at the seminary and what my expectations were for studying there. Of course, the primary reason for admission is God’s calling on me. As for my expectations for learning, I remember that I had several questions in my mind at that time, and I hoped that studying theology would give me the answers. I vaguely remember two of the questions: "What is the church? What should the church be like?" and "What is fellowship? What should fellowship be like?" These questions were triggered by my service and faith experience. Being young and untrained in theology, I thought seminary must be the place to seek answers to these questions and that I would be able to find the answers there. ...

Fong King-yan (M.Div) Fong King-yan with his wife Yongmei and their son Huoyan In response to God’s calling, my wife Yongmei and I started studying theology at Hong Kong Baptist Theological Seminary in August 2016. Time flies, and now I have embarked on the path of preaching. Looking back at the past three years, what traces has the gracious God left? If I were to describe these three years, I would say that the theological path is unfamiliar and dangerous; at the same time, it is also lovable and enriching. If it were not for God’s protection and care, I dare say that I would not have been able to embark on this theological path. ...

Eva Ho (M. Div.) When we decided to leave the ministry, we felt that we needed to receive comprehensive theological training, so we applied to study theology abroad. However, unexpectedly, Heavenly Father brought me, my husband, and our children back to Hong Kong. After returning to Hong Kong, I originally planned to enroll in an online theology course to meet the needs of my children. However, due to the Rev. Dr. Mei Chi-li’s

Jones Chan (B.Th.) Jones Chan and Professor Deng Shaoguang’s four-year Bachelor of Theology course ended in the blink of an eye. Looking back on my first year attending the spiritual training camp held by Baptist Theological Seminary in Cheung Chau, it seems like the first time I met my classmates. But now I have to write a graduation speech. Looking back on these four years, I have learned a lot and experienced the grace of the Lord. ...

Brothers and sisters were called by God to enter the Hong Kong Baptist Theological Seminary ("Baptist") and embark on the "theological path." Along the way, in addition to learning theological knowledge, practicing pastoral skills, and cultivating spiritual character, students also learned "hidden courses" in the fellowship of the disciple group, experienced God's love and healing, and reflected on themselves and God and with each other. relationships with others, and groups, and constantly seek understanding through faith and practice faith. I wish them not to forget their original intention, keep their mission in mind, and become good preachers and pastors! ...

Wong Fook-kong Professor of Old Testament In August, in my Master of Theology class, I asked the students: “Do you feel that sitting here in class today and learning about the ancient Near East world is of no use?” They agreed, thinking that studying these things from thousands of years ago had little to do with Hong Kong, which is in dire straits today. To encourage them, I told this story: In the mid-1990s, I was studying in the United States. At that time, my husband and I were very good friends with a Christian couple from Hong Kong. Unfortunately, this classmate's wife's cancer recurred and she knew that the chances of recovery were low. One day, I called this classmate, but he was not at home, and his wife answered the phone. I asked about her condition over the phone, and she answered clearly: "If this last chemotherapy is not successful, there will be no hope for me to survive." She cried as she spoke. I really wanted to comfort her but I didn't know how to start. At that moment, I felt very helpless. During that period, the feeling of "incompetence" was very strong. I felt that everything I had learned and knew could not help her at all. ...