Hong Kong: Chinese Union Mission Convenes Annual Council at Hong Kong Adventist College
December 5, 2007 Clear Water Bay, Hong Kong 

Forty-seven delegates met on the picturesque campus of Hong Kong Adventist College for the Chinese Union Mission (CHUM) Annual Council from December 4 to 6, 2007.   Before the opening of the business session, Dr. Daniel Chuah, the president of the College, used the passage from Matthew 24 to speak on the theme, “Signs of Hope”.

Immediately after the morning devotion, Pastor John Ash, the president of Taiwan Conference, who will be retiring, was recognized for his 37 years of service in the CHUM territory.  Dr Jairyong Lee, the president of the Northern Asia-Pacific Division compared him to Abram La Rue, who started his pioneering work in the Far East at the age of 65. He said that Elder Ash (65), is not retiring but rather being “retyred” for another phase of work in the East.

When project proposals for the extraordinary tithe funds that are now available for distribution to the divisions of the world were discussed, Dr. Lee said that God’s work will advance when church leaders have passion, mission and vision.  He challenged all to think “big” and work out “big” plans for the Lord.

Inspiring reports on the work in CHUM territories were shared by Elder James Wu, the president of CHUM, Elder Cheng Wing Kin president of the Hong Kong Macao Conference and Elder John Ash president of the Taiwan Conference.  

Robert Christensen, the executive director for the Chinese Hope Channel, based in Taiwan, demonstrated the use of internet technology for Hope Channel, Asia.  At the end of the first day of the CHUM Annual Council,  Ms. Kandus Thorp, the vice-president of ATN and Hope Channel of the General Conference, shared Project Hope with the group  which refers to tapping the potential of the laity in the development of TV programs for the Hope Channel.

All participants at the 2007 CHUM Annual Council