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GEOGRAPHY

Area 1,092 sq.km. A mountainous peninsula and 230 islands on the coast of Guangdong Province of the People's Republic of China (PRC).

The 1945 population of 600,000 rapidly increased with over 1.5 mill. refugees and migrants from China. It is one of the most densely populated areas in the world.

Capital none. Major conurbations: Hong Kong Island 1.3 mill.; Kowloon 2.5m; New Territories 2.9m. Urbanites 100%.

PEOPLES

Chinese 97%. Yueh (Cantonese) 6,170,000; Minnan 620,000; Hakka 250,000.

Other 3%. Filipino 137,000; English-speaking 110,000; Pakistani 70,000; Indonesian 45,000; Indian/ Nepali 40,000; Japanese 18,000; South Asian 15,000.

Literacy 92%. Official languages Putonghua, English, but Cantonese widely used. All languages 7. Languages with Scriptures 4Bi.

ECONOMY

Rapid growth through liberal economic policies to become one of the world's richest cities and the 8^th largest economy in the world. Industry, finance and a conduit for international trade between China and the world. It is the world's busiest container port. It has been the powerhouse for China's rapid modernization. Post-1997 economic downturn and the bursting of the property 'bubble' slowed the growth of its ruthless capitalism. HDI 0.880; 24^th/174. Income/person $24,800 (80% of USA).

POLITICS

The British wrested Hong Kong from China in the infamous opium wars (1840-58). British rule 1842-1997. The Basic Law guarantees the maintenance of existing legal, political and economic structures for 50 years, but China is responsible for defence and foreign policy. The PRC has largely honoured this.

RELIGION

Religious freedom in a secular state, guaranteed by the Basic Law, has been adhered to. Relationships between HK and PRC are to be based on 'non-interference and respect', which means HK Christians are not permitted to interfere in religious affairs of the Mainland.

Missionaries from Hong Kong
P,I,A 380 (300 overseas) with 41 agencies in 48 countries.

Missionaries to Hong Kong
P,I,A 654 in 100 agencies from 26 countries: USA 420, Korea 34, UK 33.

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Answers to Prayer

1 The successful return of Hong Kong to China and continued religious freedom thereafter.

2 The impact of Hong Kong for the Kingdom of God has been noteworthy – it is a hub of activity and a source of finance in outreach, discipling, media and literature ministries to the Chinese Diaspora and the Mainland.

Challenges for Prayer

1 The 1997 return of Hong Kong to China was met with a mixture of fear and euphoria – especially among Christians. Pray that God's purposes for Hong Kong may continue to be carried out, and its Christians be a blessing to the world.

2 Will the guaranteed freedoms of Hong Kong be maintained? Many perceive a steady, incremental erosion of press freedoms, the autonomy of the judicial system, and a government less accountable and open. Pray for wisdom and integrity for the Chief Executive and all in government leadership. They must satisfy the Communist government in Beijing and also the people who desire democratic and religious freedoms to be maintained and increased.

3 The Christian community is 10% of the population, but has long exerted a strong influence in running 505 of the schools, 60% of social organizations, and 25% of the hospitals. This influence could diminish if its privileged position is challenged and leaders acquiesce with negative trends, potentially exposing churches to discrimination or even persecution. Pray that the Church may be bold and uncompromising in exercising its prophetic role in society.

4 The churches grew rapidly in the 1960s, but slowed in the 1980s and '90s through emigration (19% of Christians) and a high drop-out rate among young adults. Christians face many pressures in Hong Kong's crowded and intense atmosphere. Some churches continue to grow vigorously – among these are denominations that have adopted a cell church structure. The number of congregations of all Protestant/Independent churches increased from 700 in 1970 to 1,200 in 2000 with 200 new churches planted 1994-99, and conversions more or less replaced Christian emigrants. Major growing groups are: CMA, Baptists and the independent charismatic churches.

5 The challenges facing the Hong Kong Church:

a) The need for renewal and revival. The HK Church Renewal Movement has laboured for this by encouraging prayer for revival and conversions, city-wide rallies and backing the annual March for Jesus events.

b) Increasing wealth and materialism that saps spiritual commitment.

c) Divisions over doctrine and the charismatic issue. Some barriers have been broken down since the GCOWE in 1995 in Korea and the 1997 hand-over with pastors praying together. Pray that churches may unite for prayer, evangelism and missions.

6 Christian leaders of maturity are relatively few. Three-fourths of all older leaders left HK before 1997 forcing a sudden rejuvenation of church leadership – increasing vision and dynamism as well as mistakes due to immaturity. Pray for them and for:

a) The 15 Bible colleges, both staff and students (850 in 1990) and their walk with God.

b) Key seminaries such as the Alliance Seminary, the Baptist Theological Seminary and the China Graduate School of Theology.

c) A greater missions component in leadership training – only a few schools give this.

7 The Church has a growing concern for missionary work abroad. Issues for prayer:

a) About 57% of congregations now have a missions commitment – pray for this to develop healthily, and for other congregations to become involved.

b) The HK Association of Christian Missions is a focal coordinating point for 26 agencies, 14 denominations and a number of individual congregations that are channelling over 300 missionaries (180 long-term; half cross-cultural among non-Chinese) overseas.

c) How best to serve and support the pressured, but growing Church in the PRC. Courage, tact and wisdom is needed in this sensitive area for HK continues to be a vital conduit of ministry, help and training materials. Pray that both the HK and PRC Christians may bless each other in fellowship, ministry and outreach.

8 The CCCOWE (Chinese Coordinating Committee on World Evangelization) has played a vital role in linking together Christians in the 70 million Chinese diaspora for fellowship and outreach to less evangelized Chinese communities. Its headquarters is in HK. Pray for the effective mobilization of Chinese wealth and manpower for world evangelization.

9 Hong Kong's pervasive and powerful underworld of crime majors on the narcotics trade, the sex 'industry' and gambling and protection rackets. There are estimated to be 50 Triad Societies (the Chinese equivalent of the Mafia) with over 600,000 members. Christian ministry among criminals, drug addicts and the destitute has increased with some success (partly as a result of the work of St Stephen's Society pioneered by Jackie Pullinger).

10 Fear for the future has increased superstition and idolatry. In 1989 the world's largest outdoor image of Buddha was built to 'protect' HK. The spiritual powers behind these must be disarmed to bring release to:

a) The blue-collar industrial workers, and the wealthy financiers and businessmen.

b) Immigrants from Mainland China. Many are housed in squalid squatter settlements, or crowded little high-rise flats. They are disillusioned and frustrated and are also one of the most responsive sections of the population. A number of churches and missions have sought to alleviate their physical needs and meet their spiritual needs (WVI, OMF, ECF, OM, Mission to New Arrivals).

c) The South Asian population – a legacy of British rule. Most are traders (Sindhi, Panjabi, Gujarati), in the security industry (Nepali Gurkhas) or in menial jobs (Pakistanis). There are some Christians among the latter.

d) The Muslims who are largely Hui Chinese, Pakistanis, Malays, Indonesians and Middle Easterners.

11 Student ministries have flourished. Christians comprise 30% of university students. Most of CCCI's 107 staff minister on six campuses. HKFES(IFES) with 48 staff workers has an extensive ministry. About 2,000 students in 11 tertiary institutions and 10,000 in 300 secondary schools are involved. Pray that these young people may decisively impact HK and beyond.

12 The foreign mission force has somewhat reduced during the 1990s – partly as the Chinese Church matured and partly due to the closure of ministries to the PRC based in HK. Many expatriates are involved in pioneer church planting, Bible teaching, media ministries or wider international ministries. Major agencies with ministry in Hong Kong are: SBC (88 workers), YWAM (44), AoG (30), SDA (30), Finnish Lutheran Mission (23), Asian Outreach (19), CMA (19), OMS (18), ABWE (16), Evangelical Free Church of America (12), Norwegian Mission Society (10), OMF (8).

13 Hong Kong is a vital nerve centre for media. Groups such as Christian Communications Ltd., The Media Evangelism Ltd., and AO have made significant contributions. Literature is written, printed, published and distributed on a massive scale (CLC, EHC, CMA). There are 16 Christian publishers and 57 Christian bookstores. Bibles are printed for the world, and the Bible Society has a key role. Hong Kong is a key location for studios preparing radio programmes (FEBC, FEBA, TWR, etc.). Pray that this role may be maintained in the 21^st Century.

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