The Honour of Jabez and the Identity of Hong Kong People
With Rev Dr Lawrence Ko Ming Him, President of Alliance Bible Seminary
What does it mean to belong when you’ve left home? Dr Ko brings that question to the story of Jabez in 1 Chronicles 4:9–10, and to the lives of Hong Kong people in diaspora.
Reading the passage through Robert Alter’s theory of the type-scene, he shows how the Chronicler reshapes the usual patterns of honour. Here, honour doesn’t rest on genealogy or military achievement. It comes through prayerful reliance on God, a request for enlarged borders, and a place in the community’s memory.
Jabez’s plea for more territory speaks into the experience of displacement, place-making and negotiating identity across borders. Join us to explore what his story offers as a theological resource for reimagining belonging beyond the homeland.
When: 23 March 2027, 7–9pm
Where: Nazarene Theological College, Manchester and online.
Register for free below
About the speaker
Rev. Dr. Lawrence Ko Ming Him is President of Alliance Bible Seminary, Chair of its Biblical Division and the Philip Teng Professor of Biblical Studies.
About the Drysdale Lecture Series
The Drysdale Lecture was established in 1998 to honour the legacy of Scottish evangelist John Douglas Drysdale. Drysdale founded Emmanuel Bible College, a missionary training school, which later became an integral part of NTC. Since its beginning, the annual lecture has served as a platform to discuss key themes in global mission, church growth, and theology.
Starting from 2027, the series comes under the stewardship of Bridging Worlds: Centre for Asian Christianities. The lectures will focus on new developments in Asian biblical and theological thoughts, creating a bridge to share Asian Christian history and practice with the wider global church.
