Halter News | 75th Anniversary of the Lutheran Church in Hong Kong

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Dear Friend in Christ,

Warm greetings, It is always nice to share with you some news from Hong Kong.

I was honored to be able to speak at the 75th Anniversary of the Lutheran Church Hong Kong Synod on Reformation Day, 2024. Approximately 900 people from many of the 43 LCHKS churches and mission stations attended this historic occasion.

The Pastors and Church Workers Who Attended

the LCHKS 75^th Anniversary

I told them a story from long ago. My sister recounts that when I was about six years old, I would say, “When I grow up, I am going to be a missionary in China.” Whenever I said this, she would laugh and say, “How can you be a missionary in China? You don’t even know where China is.” To which I would respond, “Yes, I do. You dig a hole right here, and on the other side is China.”

Carol (Age 6)

Yes, God instilled in me a love for the Chinese people from a young age. During my childhood days my mother wrote several children’s Bible story books and had a weekly children’s Christian radio program. She was a great influence on my becoming a missionary.

Carol’s Childhood Family

Deaconesses Martha Boss and Carol

I related how I first came to Hong Kong in 1966 and lived and worked with Deaconess Martha Boss in Rennie’s’ Mill Village. At that time Rennie’s Mill Village was a mountain where about 10,000 people lived in little houses. This is when I learned Cantonese while serving in St. John’s Lutheran Church and School as well as Mt. Olive Lutheran Nursery. I always remember Deaconess Martha Boss for her endless helping people with all their basic needs. And I admired Deaconess Gertrude Simon for her zeal in evangelism. When riding the Star Ferry, she would start at the front of the ferry and work her way to the back passing out Gospel tracts and talking with people about the Lord Jesus Christ.

Fast-forward to more recent events: Every year we hold a large New Year’s Outreach for the underprivileged at Concordia Lutheran Church and School in Kowloon. This day-long program includes preaching, listening to Lutheran choirs, singing Christian songs, as well as a harmonica player and other Christian performances. Last year, Savior Lutheran School put on an exciting lion dance program. The program concludes with lunch and the distribution of blessing bags to all participants.

Lion Dance at the Annual New Year’s Outreach

Following-up on the New Year’s Outreach Program, we started a fellowship group at Concordia Lutheran Church for senior citizens. At our first meeting I used Power Point pictures to describe God’s love. Since then, we have continued to hold these meetings twice a month.

Senior Citizens’ Fellowship Group

This is what I live for—to introduce Chinese people to the Lord Jesus Christ so that the Holy Spirit can work faith in their hearts. It is so wonderful that we have this great message of salvation to share with everyone—that Jesus lived the perfect life on this earth and then died on the cross for our sins. Because He rose from the dead, we know He is alive and is always with us. Yes, God, “Who did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for us all, how will He not also, along with Him, graciously give us all things?”  (Romans 8:32) 上帝既不愛惜自己的兒子為我們眾人捨了、豈不也把萬物和他一同白白的賜給我們麼。(羅馬書 8;32)  All praise to God!!!

With love in Christ,
Carol Lee Halter
Missionary to the Chinese people

P. S. If you are attending the 2025 LWML National Convention from June 26 to 29 in Omaha, I certainly hope to meet you there. I am thrilled that I can travel this year and see many LWML ladies who have supported me so much throughout the years. Rev. Kevin Robson, LCMS Chief Mission Officer, will be interviewing me and fellow missionary Chelsea Irwin at a Saturday Mission Impact luncheon. Also, I will spend a good part of each day at the OIM booth. If you are attending the convention, please do come and introduce yourself to me.