This is my story - 67 (Hong Kong/Taiwan)

67 – Evangelical, Social and Educational Ministries

The Salvation Army in the Hong Kong and Taiwan Command (as it was called then) had a lot of social and educational work. In 1997, Taiwan became a separate Region and came directly under International Headquarters. To day, the Command includes Macau, hence it is called the Hong Kong/Macau Command.

In 1983, there were seven primary and one secondary school operating in Hong Kong. Each school had two sessions – one in the morning and one in the afternoon. A number of children and youth also attended our Corps meetings on Sundays or in the evenings for children and youth activities in the same buildings. Most of the principals were Salvationists. On the whole the principals and teachers worked well with our Corps officers (pastors)

The Army also ran seven kindergartens and 37 social centres. In some of these we were able to have Corps.

Lands and buildings were provided by the Government, and we were at liberty to carry out our evangelical activities using the premises on weekends and in the evenings. Of course attendances at our corps were totally voluntary. But these social and educational centres provided the opportunity for our outreach programme.

There were 17 Corps (churches) in Hong Kong and four in Taiwan. On the whole the officers (pastors) worked well with the principals of Schools, or superintendents. Sometimes there were conflicts between the officers and some the superintendents of our social centres. If the local folk were not able to resolve the conflicts, the Divisional Commander’s help was sought. Rarely did the conflicts have to be taken further to involve Command Headquarters’ intervention.

The Army also owned two camps – one in Ma Wan Island not far from where we lived. The other was the Cheong Chau Holiday Camp. In 1983, we received funds from Bradbury Foundation to replace the old with a new building. It was completed in mid 1984. This provided good recreational, educational and evangelical facility for our people. We had Women’s camps, Youth camps, Music camps and retreats.

Almost every Sunday we were out conducting meetings at the various Corps. Not far from where we lived was a small Corps at Kwai Chung. So on our free Sunday; we worshipped at the Kwai Chung Corps. In the same compound was The Army’s Girls’ Home.

In 1984 saw also the building of an extension to the William Booth Secondary School. This provided additional facilities for the School as well as premises for the Corps. The work here was the most successful and William Booth corps became the largest Corps in the Command.

We were able to use the William Booth corps auditorium for our Command Congresses and other special meetings.

We count it a privilege to be given the responsibility of running the Command for seven and half years – January 1983 to June 1990 when we moved to the Philippines.