On November 17, Mr. Andrew Ho Po-sang, founder of the Elim Christian Bookstore in Hong Kong, the Kingdom Revival Times, and Kingdom Ministries, passed away at the age of 68 after battling cancer. A memorial service titled “The Celebration of Andrew Ho” was held on Tuesday, December 17 in Hong Kong.
In addition to his long-term mnistry in media and publishing, Ho was a key advocate of the "Homecoming" movement within the Chinese church. He organized countless training sessions and gatherings across China's mainland, Hong Kong, and Macau, focusing on worship in unity, spiritual revival, and renewal by the Holy Spirit.
Born in Hong Kong in 1956, Ho left school at the age of 13. Over the years, he once worked as an apprentice in the gemstone industry, then operated a gemstone processing factory, traded stocks, and worked as a buyer in the garment industry. In 1986, Ho was baptized and came to faith in the Lord. Responding to God's call, he and his wife made the decisive choice to give up their plans to emigrate to Australia and instead enroll in seminary courses, marking the start of their journey in ministry.
In 1991, Ho attended the “All Nations Worship and Praise” gathering in Korea, where he received a vision of unity among the Chinese. Later, as the first co-worker of the “All Nations Worship and Praise” in Hong Kong, he organized a worship and praise meeting at Hong Kong Stadium in 1994. The following year, he helped establish the Elim Christian Bookstore in Hong Kong to promote the renewal of the Holy Spirit and the revival of Chinese churches. In 2004, Ho founded Kingdom Ministries and the Kingdom Revival Times. After the Global Chinese Prayer Assembly in 2006, he joined the “Homecoming” Family Journey.
Ho had been battling with cancer for 20 years. In 2016, his cancer recurred, requiring chemotherapy. Earlier this year, he was hospitalized in late April and spent his final three months in the ward due to septicemia, which severely damaged his respiratory system.
Countless Christians whom Ho had ministered affectionately referred to him as "Andrew," "Papa Andrew," or "Father." During the “Celebration of Andrew Ho” memorial service, his family, relatives, friends, and numerous pastors gathered to express their condolences on his passing.
Ms. Liu, a teacher at the seminary where Ho once studied, shared at the memorial service that during his time in the seminary, Ho expressed his desire to serve God through worship. At that time, however, "Chinese churches had never accepted a ministry solely focused on worship.” Later, she recognized Ho's anointing for worship and encouraged him to serve in worship. She also testified that, despite battling cancer for 20 years, Ho never ceased serving in ministry.
In one of the video messages, Elder Andrew Chang, founder of the Tabernacle of David, shared, “In 2004, we started organizing the Back to Jerusalem Gathering. In the All Nations Prayer Meeting, we witnessed 24-hour prayers and the works led by the Holy Spirit. So in 2005, we organized two Chinese Prayer Assemblies in Hong Kong. Both were organized by Pastor Ho and the staff of Kingdom Ministries. The ‘Homecoming Gatherings’ since 2010 ignited the entire Chinese community near and far and even spread the fire around the world to the ‘Homecoming’ movement.”
Pastor David Demian, founder of the Watchmen for the Nations and the Homecoming Movement, also shared a video tribute, testifying to Ho's tender and understanding heart. He recalled that when they first began ministering in China, he told Ho, “I don’t want big meetings; I wanted just a dozen people that you trust.” From Demian’s perspective, from that small group, the whole vision exploded, and Ho was the seed that was planted. “Because people trusted him, and he was a person of trustworthiness,” Demian emphasized.
Mr. Thomas and Mrs. Rachel Lim, elders of Petra Centre-Kuantan, Malaysia, shared that “Papa Andrew is a father among us whom we respect and honor much. Being with him is so comfortable, relaxed, and free. ”
Pastor Yoshiko Ito, senior pastor of White House Fellowship Church, Japan, testified that Ho always stood by people, “especially reaching out to those who were struggling or children in difficult circumstances. Your actions reflected the love of our Heavenly Father.”
Pastor Daniel Kim from the Family Journey of Korea and Japan also shared in the video: "Papa Andrew was my spiritual father and a mentor, especially when I came into this journey and started walking around 10 years ago. He has taught me so many things, but more than anything, he has taught me how to become a son and mentored me as a true father."
Ho's two sons shared on stage, recalling both the interesting memories with their father and their initial frustration towards their father as a pastor's children: "I was really angry with him that he always went out to serve God, and he did not give enough time to me." But they also talked about the eventual restoration of their relationship. Just a week before Ho's passing, on November 9, his youngest son, Daniel Ho, got married.
Ho’s wife, Michelle Poon, took the stage to express her deep gratitude to everyone who supported them during the eight years following Ho’s cancer recurrence. She acknowledged the dedication of believers, including their hospital visits and prayers. She mentioned: "A brother who came to give Andrew a haircut at my home, just two days before my son’s wedding, making him look really handsome. And this brother did not only prepare Andrew for attending my son’s wedding but also prepared him to participate in the wedding supper of the lamb."
- Edited by Karen Luo, translated by Poppy Chan
