HONG KONG: 8 March, 2026 — The Hong Kong District of the Church of the Nazarene convened its 44th District Assembly alongside a series of worship gatherings and an ordination service on Sunday, March 8, at multiple venues in Quarry Bay.
The one-day event brought together delegates and members from three local churches—Hong Kong Church (HKC), Ma On Shan Church (MOS), and International Church of the Nazarene (ICN)—along with regional and global church leaders.
The day began with a Sunday morning worship service from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. on the 10th floor of The Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups Building. A lunch fellowship followed from 12:00 to 2:00 p.m.
The official 44th District Assembly session was held from 2:15 to 4:15 p.m. at Block C & D, M/F, North Point Mansion. The day concluded with an ordination ceremony from 4:30 to 7:00 p.m. in the auditorium on the 9th floor of The Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups Building.
Attendees included delegates and members from the district’s three congregations, along with several invited leaders and guests. Among those present were General Superintendent Dr. Christian Sarmiento and Mrs. Margit Sarmiento; Regional Director Dr. Kafoa Muaror and Mrs. Aggie Muaror; Field Strategy Coordinator Rev. Jeremy Budd; and Ms. Angie Wong.
Messages and Themes
Dr. Christian Sarmiento delivered the sermon during the morning worship service, titled “To Abide or Not to Abide, That’s the Question,” based on John 15. The message focused on the importance of remaining in Christ as the source of spiritual life and fruitfulness.
During the District Assembly session, Dr. Kafoa Muaror and Rev. Jeremy Budd addressed attendees. Dr. Muaror emphasized the role of the church as “a movement of God through the people of God, empowered by the Holy Spirit,” and highlighted the importance of prayer, spiritual formation, and the use of contemporary tools—such as digital platforms and applications—to engage younger generations.
Rev. Budd also contributed to the discussions during the assembly, alongside district reports that reflected ongoing ministry developments.
Ordination Ceremony
The event concluded with the ordination of Janet Evangelio Olaviaga as an elder in the Church of the Nazarene.
Dr. Sarmiento delivered the ordination message titled “To Be Found in Him,” based on Philippians 3:7–10. The sermon outlined four key themes: knowing Christ through a deepening personal relationship, living in the power of His resurrection, sharing in His sufferings, and dying to self to follow Christ fully.
A central emphasis of the message was drawn from Philippians 3:10: “I want to know Christ.”
District leaders reported on the progress and growth of local churches, providing insight into ministry developments across the district. According to participants, these reports offered a clearer picture of both challenges and areas of growth within each congregation.
One notable observation shared during the gathering was the recognition of the presence and work of the Holy Spirit within the local church community, as expressed by a visiting leader.
The assembly concluded with a sense of continuity in leadership and a renewed focus on spiritual formation, community engagement, and the mission of the church in Hong Kong.
East Asia Field Strategy Coordinator, Rev. Jeremy Budd, furthermore extends his congratulations:
“Congratulations to DS Hilton Fan and the Hong Kong district for a wonderful district assembly.
God is moving in this city, and his church is waking up and joining him. We celebrate God’s new creation with stories of spiritual transformation, the granting of district ministry licenses to three young leaders, and the ordination of a new pastor.
Congratulations, Rev. Janet Olaviaga. We appreciate your faithful ministry!”