The Birth of the Hope of God Movement

The Hope of God Movement began in 1981 when a young Thai national returned to his homeland with a Ph.D. in Economics from overseas. With a heart burning with the vision from God, Dr. Joseph set out to plant churches and spread the good news of Jesus Christ in response to the Great Commission stated in the Bible. Together with his wife and two other relatives, they held the very first Sunday worship service in a lecture room at a Bangkok hospital. This marked the beginning of the Hope of God Movement.

Hope Of God Hong Kong Started in 1992

In the 1992 International Christian Conference held in Thailand, Sister Arlene, a young graduate from Australia, received a vision from God to bring the Hope Movement to Hong Kong. In November of the same year, Sister Arlene led the first Hope Hong Kong Sunday worship in a room in YMCA, Wanchai. Three persons attended.

In the next year, Dr. Gavin, Brother Allen and Sister Ceres joined the church. We started to have Cantonese, English and Thai Sunday services for worshippers of different language groups. When the first church camp was held in Aug, there were 50 attendees. Later of the year, Mr. and Mrs. P.K.Tse joined us and started the Family Group.

In 1994, Pastor Chiew Bong came from Singapore to lead the church. This was also the year when Dr Gavin and Sister Arlene wedded. At the Second Church Anniversary, there were 120 members and guests with us.

In 1995, when we celebrated our Third Church Anniversary, the Hope Movement founder, Dr. Joseph, was our main speaker. The service was attended by 400 members and guests. Many people responded to God on that day.

The Congregation Reached 100 Persons In 1996

1996 was a significant year. The church grew to 100 persons. The Student Group and Sri Lankan Group were established respectively. We saw the need to own a place as a permanent base for the office and other activities. Within six months, brothers and sisters contributed HK$1.2 Million and we successfully purchased a premise at Yik Hon Building, North Point.

In 1997, Sister Connie and Sister Maria responded to God and left Hong Kong to set up Hope Taipei and Hope Manila respectively.

In the following year, Mr. and Mrs. P.K.Tse set out for London to start the Hope Church there.

Dr Gavin became our pastor in 1999. The church continued to grow. By God's grace, 360 persons attended our Seventh Anniversary Worship Service at the City Hall. 48 believers was water baptized in the afternoon on that day.

In October 2001, our Praise & Worship Team organized the first Hope Concert supported by their counterpart from Hope Bangkok. 400 members and visitors had a fabulous time praising and worshipping God with great music.

In July 2002, we moved our church office and service venue to Kwan Chart Building, Wanchai. The Cantonese service is presently held on the 8th Floor, which can accommodate up to 200. The English service on the 5th Floor can sit up to 50. The church office is located on the 5th Floor as well. The Thai service continues to use our premise in North Point.

Let Us Continue to Glorify God

At present, the Cantonese, English and Thai worship services cater for an international mix of members and visitors from Hong Kong, Thailand, the Philippines, Malaysian, Singapore, Sri Lanka, India, Mainland China etc. There is also the children church to take care of the little friends of Jesus! There are care groups dedicated to young adults, youth, tertiary, families, Filipinos, Thais and the English-speaking members and visitors. With the same spirit as we started way back in 1992, and blessed with more resources now, we will continue to expand in number and in ministries to serve God and the community with joy and zeal.