Hong Kong, China – On the night of April 11th, Operation Dawn Hong Kong held its 40th Anniversary Ceremony. Taking Paul’s exhortation “Forgetting what is behind and straining towards what is ahead”, Rev. Cheung Moi Ei, senior pastor Kowloon City Baptist Church, encouraged Operation Dawn Hong Kong and all the gospel ministries to continue to pursue their missions in running the path of God in the coming days.

Rev. Cheung first pointed out that the work of a ministry is like a wide plot of land extending from the church. Representing the churches, numerous ministries were called by God to work. Within the last 40 years, God has saved many who have fallen into crooked paths and whose lives were entrapped within the addiction of drugs through Operation Dawn.

Rev. Cheung further encouraged those ministries to “forget what is behind and strain towards what is ahead”: Never forget the grace of God, but forget the sins that easily entangle us and block us from moving forward. Rely only upon the grace of the Lord to walk on this path. “Straining towards what is ahead” is a reminder that the services of ministries are callings of God, must be clear about the tasks and goals given by God, and running towards the goal.

Furthermore, Rev. Cheung shared that the calling gives people a mission; for example, the mission of Operation Dawn does not rely upon drugs, individuals, but only rely upon the gospel to achieve rehabilitation; Calling gives people identity. Do not think that you are the boss of the ministry, but God is. The responsibility of one in service is to “be the blissful and good steward of God.”

Meanwhile, calling will upon this peaceful heart, because whether it succeeds or fails, everything is in the hands of God, so no one can criticize recklessly. When the Jews questioned Jesus Christ was he able to do God’s work, Jesus answered that the work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.” If you just rely upon God, God will surely pour out his grace.

Concluding his sermon, Rev. Cheung emphasized faith. In doing the work of God, there are three types of attitude; first, some plans by himself and then tries his best to complete it; second, some carefully plans and then asks God to bless his project; third, this person asks God for plan and then devote himself to allow God to complete his plan, which is the dependence and service in faith.

[Editor's note: reporter Carol Yu in Hong Kong contributed to this article.]