From An Apostolic Church to A Tree of Life Family

Since the beginning of our church, God has gradually changed us from a five-fold ministry apostolic church to a Tree of Life church, then a Tree of Life family.

Looking back, I find this journey of following God and exploring exceptionally precious. As the vision bearer, I am utterly amazed and in awe of God’s work!

In high school, I received the Lord and was equipped at a traditional church. Later on, I went to Regent College in Canada for further theological studies. In this open and transdenominational college I studiously absorbed a variety of theological thoughts to get more balanced views. The renowned Professor James I. Packer was my teacher and I learned devotional prayer of the desert fathers from James M. Houston, the then principal. I started to practice spiritual praying soon after graduation in 1989. Then I started pastoring a traditional church of about a hundred people where I was the solo pastor. Due to my pursuit and longing for the Holy Spirit, I was transformed by the Holy Spirit, yet the deacons rejected and questioned me. Finally I was forced to resign.

Then I spent a year in the U.S. to learn about the Holy Spirit and the operation of His gifts when my eyes were opened. I was sent back to Hong Kong by Pastor Nathaniel Chow of Bread of Life Church in Taipei in 2001. God had had given me the blueprint of our church long ago and I wrote the booklet #The Calling and Vision of 611. Pastor Jason and Pastor Anna, my classmates at Agape International Leadership Institute, built up our church together with me. In the third wave of the Charismatic Movement, C. Peter Wagner advocated the concept of “apostolic churches” to bring back the offices of apostle. I received Isaiah 61 from God and thence established an apostolic church and we exercised power ministry and five-fold ministry. Peter Wagner visited us in 2008 and he said in our Sunday service that we did whatever he mentioned in his books, even what he didn’t say. At that time 611 was truly an apostolic church.

Yet God’s leading did not stop there! He kept revealing the truth of the Tree of Life and we started exploring to become a Tree of Life church from 2020. In the past we held power healing and deliverance conferences. Nowadays we still have apostolic and power operation, but we have already been transformed to be a Tree of Life church. The transformation extends from personal lives to relationships in marriages and between generations and even to marketplace and financial aspects. The impacts are profound. As the Tree of Life family also points to relationships, its connection is deeper and wider, and more fruitful.

Weimin, who leads our social media team, came to 611 six years ago. There was the pandemic then and he often worked overtime due to his high standards. He worked hard and got things done very well. Yet, there were problems with relationships among his team members. One day he even needed to deal with seven confrontations altogether. After years of soaking in the Tree of Life family, he had made numerous adjustments and now his marriage and his relationship inside and outside his department are much improved.

Recently we welcome families from the nations, even as far as Africa and our church has evolved to become a Tree of Life family. Thank God for planting this Tree of Life church which has not only brought life changes to individuals but also pastored the nations. It is being used mightily by Him!■【2024.03.17】