Leadership Transitions in the Pentecostal Holiness Church of Hong Kong

The global ministry influence of the Pentecostal Holiness Church in Hong Kong is legendary in our denomination as well as in global ministry organizations/circles like the Pentecostal World Fellowship. Those of you who were privileged to attend the fifth IPHC Global Assembly, from May 6-8, 2015, in Hong Kong were treated to an unforgettable experience by the leadership team and members of Wing Kwong PHC, the IPHC’s largest church globally.

In February 2022, Presiding Bishop Beacham and I received a letter from Rev. Donavan Ng, Field Superintendent of the PHC of Hong Kong, formalizing his transition plans:

“It has been a while since I made you aware of my plan to have Eddy Kwok as my successor. Earlier on, he was appointed as the Assistant Field Superintendent of IPHC subsequent to Joanne's resignation from that position.

I do regard the past couple of years as his prolonged probation period, throughout which Eddy has proved himself to be the ideal candidate for the position as the Field Superintendent of IPHC in Hong Kong. Not only that, he is sharp-minded and dedicated. What impressed me most is his unreserved loyalty to the International Pentecostal Holiness Church. Eddy's previously long exposure to the commercial world will also help him to get through the challenges to be faced by the church amid the increasingly complicated circumstances. Praise the Lord for His guidance and providence!

I have served as the Field Superintendent in Hong Kong for 25 years since 1997. It is now time for the next generation to lead and take the ministry to another level. At the beginning of this year, the position of Wing Kwong Church's Pastor-in-charge was handed over from Rev. Joanne Wong to Doris Leung. Naturally, the time is ripe for the leadership to be passed on.

As such, I am getting prepared to hand over my office as the Field Superintendent in Hong Kong to Eddy and the transition is scheduled to be completed on April 1, 2022. In this regard, I would appreciate an official letter of appointment from you for this succession to take effect.

I have been so blessed in this position to serve with you and all the great people of the IPHC. Thank you for the trust, companionship, and friendship. May God's munificent blessings be with you always!”

Eddy Kwok, New Field Superintendent of IPHC Hong Kong

Eddy Kwok, New Field Superintendent of IPHC Hong Kong

The Council of Bishops and the General World Missions Ministries Council unanimously approved the recommendation of Rev. Eddy Kwok as Field Superintendent of Hong Kong, Effective April 1, 2022. That action was formalized for record as follows:

As an expression of their deep appreciation and gratitude for the distinguished service of Rev. Ng as the Field Superintendent of the PHC of Hong Kong, the COB, and WMM Council adopted motions of appreciation.

Rev. Ng Shan Ho

Motion: “The Council of Bishops and General World Missions Ministries Council expresses its gratitude and admiration to Rev. Ng Shan Ho for his service to the Hong Kong Pentecostal Holiness Church as its Superintendent for the past 25 years, 1997-2022. During his tenure of service as such, Rev. Ng has modeled what it means to be a faithful shepherd of God’s flock through his spiritual leadership, his commitment to excellence, his generosity, his global vision, his insightful counsel, his empowerment of succeeding generations of spiritual leaders and his exceptional loyalty to the Church and the International Pentecostal Holiness Church of which he has been such an integral part of.”

New Pastor-in-Charge of Wing Kwong IPHC, Rev. Doris Leung

Rev. Doris Leung was appointed to serve as the pastor-in-charge of Wing Kwong PHC on January 1, 2022. She succeeds Dr. Joanne Wong. On March 28, 2022, we received a digital copy of the second issue of the Hong Kong PHC Periodical. An interview with Rev. Leung is below and is used with the express permission of Rev. Esther Au, General Secretary of the PHC of Hong Kong.

Rev. Doris Oi-ting Leung

Rev. Doris Oi-ting Leung took up the position as Pastor-in-charge of Wing Kwong Pentecostal Holiness Church in the beginning of this year, which also marked the tenth year since her full-time ministry began. Before joining the Church’s pastoral team, she worked on the frontline of the banking industry. Her work then was occupied by “meeting targets” in order to gain financial rewards. In retrospect, she said:

“The longer I have been in the faith-seeking journey, the deeper I felt towards the uncertainties in lives. Life could be so fragile and beyond control. Yet, I also encountered so many people who have gone through sicknesses, broken relationships, and other hardships with their steadfast faith in God. All these remind me of what Jesus said in Matthews 11:28-30 that His yoke is easy and His burden light. With the help of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who conquered death, we will be able to breakthrough our limitations and live our lives for all its worth.”

After a long period of reflections and prayers, Rev. Leung decided to respond the call from the high as she saw the true meaning of “meeting targets”:

“I am still in pursuit of target meeting, but no longer in terms of financial numbers. My eyes are now on the people and my vision is to build up the lives of the disciples of God. The rewards for this are no longer those mortal things from the material world. What I would get in return are the lives of people renewed by Jesus Christ.”

Right from the beginning of Rev. Leung’s ministry, leaders of Wing Kwong Church have expressed their expectations for her to become the Pastor-in-charge one day. That said, when the appointment was imminent, Rev. Leung still found it intimidating:

Rev. Doris Oi-ting Leung

“Wing Kwong Church is a mega church with a congregation in thousands. It is a miniature of a society, in which exists people from all sorts of age and background. Everyone has a different story. It is really not easy to take care of such a sizable flock.”

How did she overcome? She has sought strength from various sources indeed. First, she learned from Bible characters like Mary, who unreservedly surrender to God, and Moses, who eventually responded to God’s call after four failed attempts of escape. Besides, Rev. Maggie Lam and Rev. Natalie Cheung, fellow pastors in HKPHC who took up positions as Pastors-in-charge of Ka Fook Church and Taipo Wing Kwong Church respectively, are great testimonies of encouragement. Rev. Leung also keeps praying persistently and understands that it is vital to do what she has to do in a humble yet determined way. Chosen to the position, all she has to do is to make every effort to lead Wing Kwong Church to fulfil God’s will on earth upon the foundation laid by her predecessors.

The previous year has been the preparatory stage of Rev. Leung for the position as Pastor-in-charge. Apart from spiritual exercises, she has also spent much time physically in the church office in order to get in tune with the operational practicalities, including administration, finances, and staff management.

The society keeps changing and so does the church. Rev. Leung believes that it is important to be able to discern what needs to be changed in time and what should be upheld strongly. The top priority must be equipping brothers and sisters with Bible knowledge and strong spirituality so that they can face and tackle different challenges brought along by this ever-changing world.

Finally, Rev. Leung has the following verse to share:

“Our days may come to seventy years, or eighty, if our strength endures, yet the best of them are but trouble and sorrow, for they quickly pass, and we fly away… Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom” (Psalm 90:10, 12).

It is her sincere hope to have this brief life on earth fully used by God for the good of many people.

Dr. Joanne Wong

Bishop J. Talmadge Gardner

Executive Director, World Missions Ministries