KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia - Rev. Dr. Stephen Tong celebrated his 70th birthday with 82 tables of guests in Malaysia on March 29th.
Stephen Tong Evangelistic Association prepared a surprise dinner banquet for Tong, which brought together Tong’s family, 70 pastoral workers, for this special occasion held at a banquet hall in Parti Gerakan Rakyat Malaysia building. Choirs gave choral devotions and famous singers performed.
As a long-time coworker and translator of Tong, Dr. Lee broadcasted a short media clip that he made, which showed the Tong’s family pictures, his lifetime of serving, the developments of the ministry internationally, and the dedication for the recently finished Jakarta Church. Also, Lee presented Tong with a biography that he wrote of him as a birthday gift.
After 50 years of service and witnessing the attacks from the wicked against Christianity, the Indonesian-Chinese evangelist said, “If faith is dependent upon man’s strength, then it couldn’t even endure through one blow. The history of God’s kingdom will definitely not gain victory unless it is the Holy Spirit working through man.”
At age 17, Tong setup the determination to experience God’s power through the services in ministries. He stated that walking this far in path of faith was “mission impossible”, but God allowed these to become “mission possible.”
Tong expressed lament as he see younger ministers placing higher values on educational degrees and knowledge, but have no interest in pursuing the presence of God and the power of the Holy Spirit. He hopes that the God who is with him will deeply touch and revive the spirit of the next generation to continue spreading the gospel.
“My generation will soon pass. I’ve served my generation for 50 years. Can you continue to spread the spirit of Christianity in your generation for another 50 years? I pray to God to more abundantly grant you the spirit that touched me! I wait for this kind of people to appear!” said Tong.
[Editor's note: reporter Luke Leung translated the article.]
