In July 2026, Church of All Nations (CAN), our partner ministry in Hong Kong, hosted two pastoral fieldwork interns from the Lutheran Theological Seminary of the Lutheran Church in the Philippines (LCP). Over three weeks, interns Sadirre Alis Vincent and Romel C. Batil participated in community outreach, Bible studies, worship leadership, relationship building, and pastoral care among Filipino domestic workers throughout Hong Kong. This was in collaboration with the Lutheran Church Hong Kong Synod (LCHKS), Fellowship Prayer and Share and Care (FPSC), and the Lutheran Church in the Philippines.
The project expanded the outreach presence of Church of All Nations, strengthened existing FPSC ministries, and provided valuable insight into future opportunities for Filipino ministry. It was also assisted in part by a NOW District Community Care Grant.
“The Community Care Grant was instrumental in helping us to accomplish this pilot project,” said Church of All Nations Pastor Joel Scheiwe. “Because the seminary had short notice on the availability of the two interns, we had to prepare plans quickly. The Community Care Grant made it possible for the pastoral interns to travel to Hong Kong to serve alongside CAN members.”
Founded in 1962, Church of All Nations serves an international community in Hong Kong. Since 1987, FPSC has provided fellowship, prayer, Bible study, encouragement, and spiritual support for Filipino domestic workers living and working far from home. The pilot project built upon nearly four decades of faithful ministry.
The project sought to expand Gospel outreach among Filipino domestic workers, strengthen pastoral care and fellowship opportunities, support FPSC ministries, explore future opportunities for Lutheran outreach, assess the feasibility of a dedicated ministry position, and provide meaningful field education for seminarians from the LCP. Ultimately, the project was intended to inspire further cooperation between CAN, LCP, and LCHKS in outreach and ministry to Filipinos in Hong Kong.
The interns visited public gathering places across Hong Kong, participated in outdoor Bible studies, engaged individuals in spiritual conversations, prayed with community members, supported FPSC events, attended ministry gatherings with Lutheran partners, and assisted with leadership and discipleship activities.
The project strengthened collaboration between CAN, LCHKS, FPSC, and LCP. Housing, transportation, ministry access, volunteer coordination, and pastoral supervision were shared among the partners, demonstrating strong ownership and commitment across institutions. Total project value: US$3,950. Housing was provided by LCHKS, transportation by CAN, materials by FPSC, and airfare and food support enabled the pastoral interns to participate. Of this amount, $450 in airfare and a $500 food stipend were supported through a NOW District Community Care Grant.
The project responded to the need for personal pastoral care, prayer, and Bible study among Filipino domestic workers. Existing FPSC participants benefited from increased leadership support and from seeing the possibility of effective ministry in public spaces where workers naturally gather.
The seminary interns demonstrated strong Lutheran theological foundations and grew in their ability to apply theology within real ministry situations. The experience strengthened confidence in worship leadership, pastoral initiative, public engagement, situational awareness, relationship building, and mission outreach. The interns consistently approached people with kindness, gentleness, and Christian compassion.
The pilot confirmed the value of meeting Filipino workers where they gather, reinforced the effectiveness of FPSC as a ministry platform, highlighted the importance of Lutheran partnerships, and suggested that additional dedicated ministry staffing could significantly expand outreach opportunities. CAN recommends continued collaboration with LCHKS and LCP and further exploration of a future pastor or deaconess position focused on Filipino ministry.
This project explored Gospel outreach and pastoral care among Filipino domestic workers while strengthening Lutheran partnerships across Hong Kong and the Philippines. We pray it inspires leaders in the LCP and LCHKS to work with CAN on long-term ministry activities.