wfn.org | Lark Award given to church planters

[Beth Hawn]

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To:  'Worldwide Faith News'
Date: 1998-08-05 15:07
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Conversation ID: Lark Award given to church planters

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August 5, 1998
Mennonite Board of Missions
Beth Hawn
(219)-294-7523
<news@mbm.org>

1998 Lark Award presented to Chinese church planters

LANCASTER, Pa. (EMM/MBM) - A Chinese widow living in Boston accepted the
1998 Lark Award on Sunday, July 12, for herself and her husband, who died   
last
November. Marie Ho, the wife of the late Kenson Ho, was presented the   
award by
John Powell, Mennonite Board of Missions director for Evangelism and   
Church
Development.

The Lark Award is presented annually by MBM to Mennonites who have
demonstrated creative leadership in evangelism and church development in
North America.  The award seeks to create a broad awareness of Mennonites   
who
have recognized North America as a mission field by their work with   
others to
build God's kingdom. It is named for James and Rowena Lark, the first
African-American bishop of the Mennonite Church.

"We want to honor one who has in so many ways exemplified what God has   
done in
this world," Powell explained before his presentation.

The Hos suffered years of persecution, imprisonment and hard labor in   
their
homeland of China before coming to the United States. But their faith was   

undeterred, and they always dreamed of what they could do next for the   
Lord.

Mervin Charles, director of Home Ministries for Eastern Mennonite
Missions, and Wilbert Lind, who served as Ho's bishop in New England when   
he
first arrived in Boston in 1984 to plant churches under EMM, each shared
reflections about the Hos' ministry.

Lind described Kenson as a humble person who had a passion for souls.
"Nothing brought him as much joy as when a person received the Lord Jesus   

Christ," he said.

Lind's wife, Rhoda, read reflections which Marie had prepared in advance   
for
the presentation, since her English skills are limited. Marie remembers
their first years in the United States in Houston, when Kenson could be   
found
at the Houston Harbor every Saturday, sharing his faith with Chinese
immigrants. "Kenson devoted his life to love the Lord faithfully," she
explained.

In Boston, they targeted the Boston Chinatown community and planted the
Boston Chinese Church of Saving Grace. Beginning with two people in 1984,   
the
church has grown to about 140 members today. The church has already   
parented
another church plant in the Malden community and is looking to new areas.   
   

About 20 people accepted Christ at a local nursing home through Kenson's
ministry. He also assisted over 200 people in becoming American citizens.

When Kenson became sick last year with cancer and was encouraged to see a   

doctor, he said, "My own life is of non-importance compared to the work   
of the
church." He continued to share his faith, even during his final weeks in   
a
nursing home. He told people that if the Lord allowed him to live longer,   
he
wanted to plant another church in Massachusetts and one in Australia.   
Kenson
Ho died November 18, 1997.

The Lark Award presentation was part of the Festival 98 weekend,   
sponsored
by Eastern Mennonite Missions.

* * *

Carol L. Wert

Photo Available: John Powell, Mennonite Board of Missions director for
Evangelism and Church Development, presents the 1998 Lark Award to Marie   
Ho
as Rhoda Lind watches. Ho's husband, Kenson, who died in November 1997,   
was
also named in the award. Credit: Dale D. Gehman