First Chinese Kairos Course Held in Hongkong

September 10-15, 2007 should be remembered well in Missions History. On these days, the first Chinese Kairos course was held in Hongkong. The 18 participants not only represented Hongkong but also Mainland China and Taiwan.

According to Elsabe, Kairos Australia International Course Coordinator who oversees the Chinese translation work on Kairos, she left Brisbane with many unknowns with regards to running the Kairos course in Hong Kong. She said, “The only known factor was God’s amazing faithfulness. So I knew He was there already, preparing and paving the way.”

Some 18 students registered. They were mostly mission agency leaders, pastors and missionaries. Three weeks prior to the course they only had three registrations which nearly cancelled, but the Kairos family prayed and again they experienced God’s tremendous faithfulness. Later, during the week, the team realized that Hong Kong, Mainland China and Taiwan were represented at the course.

The objective of the course was to test the newly translated Chinese Reader and see the Hong Kong churches take ownership of the Chinese translation of Kairos. The team received very encouraging feedback from students about the translation and after a week’s work, the translator needed only to make minor changes.

Apart from testing the translated materials, the team saw the students being transformed by the material. According to Elsabe, “Laying down a firm Biblical foundation always gets students to think about their current philosophy about God, His Plan and His Purpose.” She added that “necessary mindset changes needed to take place. History again explained history from God’s point of view and allowed us to see His sovereignty in all matters.”

With a constant reminder of the Least Reached Peoples of the world, students presented the different religious blocks with great passion during the prayer time. The challenge to have a bottom-line prayer life was taken with much enthusiasm.

All worksheets were done in Chinese script by students, and were marked in growth point groups by the students themselves.

Integration was a highlight as Ken challenged everyone to re-evaluate, and re-prioritize their own lifestyles in order to live a life as a servant of God’s own purpose.

The team trained 16 new facilitators; all presentations were done by the students in their second language, English. The Hong Kong Kairos Leadership Team (HKKLT) was also formed.

HKKLT’s first priority is to assist the translator with the translation work. The aim is to see all materials translated by the end 2007. The team will also start to plan a next Kairos Intensive, working out the best strategies for Hong Kong and the other areas beyond. The newly trained facilitators will meet once a month for prayer and evaluate one another as they present parts of the course to one another.

Elsabe believes that God received much glory because of the simple obedience of a few Kairos servants. She desires that He may continue to receive glory as this project is done with excellence and a passion for His world.