牧者心聲

弟兄姊妹有否留意到，我們的社區正發生著肉眼可見的變化？電梯裡，多了些說普通話的新面孔；公園裡，有說普通話的父母帶孩子玩耍；公司裡，也有說普通話的新同事正努力適應著香港的工作節奏。他們當中不少都是通過「人才計劃」來到香港的新港人家庭。他們已經成為我們社區、職場和校園中的一部分，是我們觸手可及的「新鄰居」。

為了服事這些新鄰居，北宣家早前啟動了新的事工——「普通話延福事工」，旨在幫助這些新鄰居認識香港，接觸信仰。為此，我們邀請了一位內地背景的傳道加入同工隊，專責探索服事這個群體的新路徑。我們也租用了鄰近灣仔港鐵站的地方，籌備開辦面向這個群體的福音站。

「普通話延福事工」不僅僅是一個事工項目，更是我們整個北宣家實踐愛鄰舍、把握福音使命的美好行動。大家可以有多方面的參與，例如：

• 廣東話學習小組：在輕鬆的氛圍中，透過生活話題，自然地用廣東話交談。在交談中介紹香港的文化，分享自己的經歷；
• 兒童英語活動：通過遊戲和簡單的英語互動，在關愛下一代的同時，也連結起兩個家庭；
• 教育升學分享：如果你對香港教育體系有所了解，或是擁有家長經驗，你的心得會是這些新來港家庭最寶貴的指南；
• 文化交流與外展活動：一起行山、參觀博物館。在輕鬆愉快環境中認識新朋友，讓他們感受到被歡迎。

當提到要向這些新來港家庭分享福音時，很多人的第一個念頭或許是：「我不會說普通話，如何服事呢？」我相信真誠的善意和溫暖的笑容，是世界上最通用的語言。一次主動的幫助、一句簡單的問候，都是一份「我們歡迎你」的親切與關懷。在這個交往的過程中，「陪伴」與「分享生活」遠比語言的流利更加重要。

聖經希伯來書鼓勵我們：「不可忘記用愛心接待客旅；因為曾有接待客旅的，不知不覺就接待了天使。」（來十三 2）這些來到我們中間的新鄰居，正是神擺在我們面前的「客旅」。接待他們，不僅是為他們提供適應新環境的支援，更是一個無比珍貴的機遇——讓我們將所領受的恩典，化為具體的行動，為我們身邊的新鄰居送上一份最真摯的生命禮物。我們需要北宣家弟兄姊妹參與其中，一起把恩主所賜給我們的福分，延續到這個群體當中。

  Brothers and sisters, have you noticed the visible changes taking place in our community? In elevators, there are more new faces speaking Putonghua; in parks, parents speaking Putonghua bring their children to play; in workplaces, new colleagues who speak Putonghua are striving to adapt to Hong Kong’s rhythm of work. Many of them are new Hong Kong families who have arrived through the “talents admission schemes.” They have already become part of our community, our workplaces, and our schools, our “new neighbors” who are right within our reach.

  In order to serve these new neighbors, the NPAC family has recently launched a new ministry—the “Putonghua Blessing Extension Ministry,” with the aim of helping them become familiar with Hong Kong and come into contact with the Christian faith. For this purpose, we have invited a pastor with a mainland background to join our pastoral team, specifically tasked with exploring new ways to serve this community. We have also rented a venue near Wan Chai MTR station in preparation for establishing a gospel centre dedicated to serving this community.

  The “Putonghua Blessing Extension Ministry” is not merely a ministry program; it is the concrete action of the entire NPAC family living out love for our neighbors and responding to the gospel mission entrusted to us. There are many ways for everyone to participate, including the following:

• Cantonese learning groups: In a relaxed environment, everyday topics are used to practice conversational Cantonese naturally. Through these conversations, Hong Kong culture is introduced and personal experiences are shared.
• Children’s English activities: Through games and simple interactions in English, care is extended to the next generation and connections between families are established.
• Education and schooling sharing sessions: If you are familiar with Hong Kong’s education system or if you have parenting experience, your practical insights will be invaluable guidance for these newly arrived families.
• Cultural exchange and outreach activities: Through activities such as hiking or museum visits, new friendships are formed in a relaxed and joyful setting, helping newcomers feel welcomed.

  When it comes to sharing the gospel with these newly arrived families, many people’s first thought may be: “I don’t speak Putonghua. How can I serve?” I believe that sincere goodwill and a warm smile make the most universal language in the world. A proactive act of help and a simple greeting each conveys a heartfelt message of “You are welcome” and care. In the process of building relationships, “companionship” and “sharing life” are far more important than language fluency.

  The book of Hebrews encourages us: “Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it” (Hebrews 13:2). These new neighbors who have come among us are precisely the “strangers” God has placed before us. Welcoming them is not only about helping them adjust to a new environment; it is also an immensely precious opportunity—for us to turn the grace we have received into concrete action, and to offer our new neighbors the most sincere gift of life. We need the participation of brothers and sisters of the NPAC family, so that together we may extend the blessings given to us by our gracious Lord to this community.