CP’s Testimony: Becoming a BMCC Missionary

2024-03-312026-06-07 bmcc bot 1 Views

On 24 March 2024, before the Lord, witnessed by the BMCC family and friends from many places, I am deeply thankful to be commissioned as a missionary of BMCC. May we grow together with the BMCC family, learn from one another, and worship together.

I grew up in a middle-class family. My mother worshipped at a traditional conservative church; my father, at the time, believed in folk religion and committed to the Lord some years ago. My own faith journey began at primary school with Catholic education, then Lutheran in secondary school, the Anglican Church in England, until today at BMCC. Along the way I came to know and learn the unique histories of different denominations and churches, the cultural backgrounds of their founding, the theological views and the wisdom between traditions — respecting and understanding each one, and digging together for their treasures.

In Form 1 I began to realise I had feelings towards the same sex. But because I was growing up in conservative Christian school culture, I had been taught and indoctrinated with “homosexuality is a sin.” I was unwilling to face my true self and inner longings, did everything I could to deny my feelings and suppress myself, and went through much pain and struggle. My emotional and mental wellbeing was not healthy.

In 2009, after completing my studies in England, I returned to Hong Kong. There were many LGBTQ-affirming churches abroad, so I curiously searched online for any in Hong Kong that welcomed and accepted LGBTQ people. The first result was “Blessed Ministry Community Church”! Boldly I came to BMCC, formed a connection here, and began an important spiritual journey in my life.

When I came back, BMCC was led by a lay minister. By 2015 I had become part of BMCC’s co-workers, joining the Lord’s LGBTQ ministry — moving from administrative service step by step to serving the Lord’s church, then learning to lead Scripture, lead a couples’ small group, briefly stepping outside BMCC into the community to participate in a “public church” rooted in public theology, and learning to preach. Along the way I saw so much grace and leading from the Lord, who through other people empowered my life; in my limited capacity, there was always a good team of co-workers walking alongside, with pastoral support and teaching.

My own life found change and growth at BMCC. Under the pastor’s teaching, I began to learn spiritual practice — spending 30 minutes daily with my body, my inner emotions, and nature, in communion and reconciliation. Under the pastor’s encouragement, I began Satir family therapy, learning what wounds and influences my family of origin, schools, churches, and society had inflicted on me. Through the Satir journey and BMCC’s 101–401 discipleship courses, my life moved from being twisted, to being changed, healed, and released — finally learning to accept myself. My life became fuller, I felt the Lord’s love for LGBTQ people, the Lord’s love for my very life. I am the Lord’s treasure!

At BMCC I also found my other half. After six years of love’s long journey, my partner and I had our coming-out ceremony in 2017, registered our marriage in England, and held a blessing ceremony at BMCC in 2018. We give thanks that both families’ relatives, friends, and church members joined us — we saw the Lord’s many graces and blessings upon us.

Some have asked me, what does a missionary actually do? It’s a little like Jesus then — I walk with members of the family, accompany them in their helplessness and weakness, weep with them in sorrow, and lead them from darkness into light. I believe the Lord created every person beautifully; life only becomes distorted because of society and family of origin, so we cannot see our own beautiful rainbow. I believe every person can return to the original, beautiful image the Lord created, live a sincere life with joy, shine and be bright in the world, and manifest Christ’s life and fragrance.