FORUM ON FAITH

The Christian & Missionary Alliance (C&MA) is a Christian denomination of evangelical believers committed to fulfilling the Great Commission given by Jesus Christ. Since the founding by Dr. Albert B. Simpson in 1887, the Alliance has grown to a worldwide constituency of over 2.5 million members in 56 countries and territories around the world.

In the late 19th century, the C&MA had sent missionaries to China. After the Communist sweep of the mainland, the Alliance missionaries were forced to flee and move to Hong Kong in the early 1950's. After four decades of flourishing ministry there, the C&MA is faced again with the uncertainties of 1997, when Hong Kong is scheduled to revert to mainland China rule.

Hong Kong is situated to the south of China. Noting its forested stretches and almost landlocked harbor, the Chinese people called it Hong Kong, meaning "Fragrant Harbor." In 1842, after a humiliating defeat in the First Opium War, China was forced to cede Hong Kong to the victorious British. Later, the new territories were given to Britain on a lease in 1898 for 99 years.

For over a century, Hong Kong may have been viewed by the British as a monument of empire building. To the Chinese, it was galling blemish on their history, a goading reminder of past weakness. With Oriental patience, they waited for the right time to settle accounts.

Today, the economist looks at Hong Kong and sees an economic miracle. Hard working residents of six million population turned this tiny island into the world's third largest financial center.

The sociologist looks at Hong Kong and sees something resembling a teeming anthill. An average of 9,000 people cram into each acre of living space, and everyone seems to be going somewhere at the same time.

Lacking space, builders gouge earth from the island's flanks to fill the bay. As one writer remarked, "The government creates land for housing literally by removing mountains and casting them into the sea."

In the early 1980's, when representatives of England and the People's Republic of China met to discuss the crown colony's future, many residents hoped the lease would be renewed without fuss. They reasoned that the colony served as the mainland's primary source of western currency. Any disruption of Hong Kong's sensitive financial market would adversely affect China's economy.

Beijing representatives at the Sino-British conference brushed aside that hope with a clear statement that China's sovereignty was of more consequence than Hong Kong's stability. The Sino-British Joint Declaration signed in December 1984 stipulated that Hong Kong would revert to mainland rule in 1997. In return, the Beijing government promised to administer the territory as a Special Administrative Region, permitting the former colony to continue its economic and political structure without serious change for another 50 years. However, many are doubtful whether Hong Kong will be able to retain its freedoms, rule of law and current lifestyle after 1997.

A group of evangelical leaders of Hong Kong met in 1984 under the banner them, "Jesus is the Lord of History." Other Protestants among the colony's 50 denominations and groups began preparing in practical ways for 1997 and beyond.

The Alliance mission director reported in 1988: "The church looks upon encroachment of the future not with a simplistic view of its role, but not with great fear either. . .

"Even now there is a trend among our churches to change the rigid style practiced in Hong Kong among all denominations to a format that is going to be operable in the challenging years ahead."

The 1988 Alliance field director's report indicated just how flexible that format had already become. This flexibility in ministry has earned the Hong Kong Alliance a reputation for aggressive growth. Church planting has been the number one priority. The flexible format of ministries undertaken by the C&MA -- from social centers to Suen Douh ("Proclaim the Truth") Camp -- are in conjunction with church-planting projects.

Other C&MA missions in Hong Kong include refugee missions, Alliance Bible Seminary, China Alliance Press, Alliance Radio.

Behind the many forms of ministry by the church there is an altogether different attitude: Fear not, expect not. They neither fear the future of the Lord's work, nor expect Christians to have an easy life under the new rulers. The Hong Kong C&MA has no clearer idea than anyone else what lies beyond 1997. However, they do know God will be there.

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