滕張佳音

At age 75 and after the death of his wife due to cancer, Rev. Teng did not think he would marry again. As for me, nor would I ever think of getting married at 46, particularly to 75-year-old Rev. Teng who lived faraway and had limited contact with me. I can only say it was all God’s miraculous guidance. After prayers lasting for the most part of a year and about an hour’s long distance call every day, we received affirmation from various sources about God’s guidance and, finally and courageously, took our first steps together in the last part of our life journey. It was truly a journey of faith.

As such, we discussed marriage along with funeral matters and at an early stage added both our names to the New York cemetery with the decision that whoever departed first, the remains after cremation will be buried in New York where most members of both families live.

Thank God —— we have had 16 beautiful years.

Rev. Teng was bestowed 27 years of retirement life after 65, of which he spent 10 years as dean of the Chinese department at Nyack College and Alliance Theological Seminary. He then returned to Hong Kong and, after marriage, taught for seven years at Christian Ministry Institute, doubling up as consulting pastor at Chinese C&MA Yau Oi Church. He also spent two years accompanying me during my studies at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School north of Chicago so that while I focused on my doctoral thesis, he could spend time quietly writing his memoirs, All is Grace, and a few other booklets. In the last seven years, he returned to NPAC family, participating in some preaching and as chief pastoral consultant of Hong Kong C&MA.

Gifts and talents

Rev. Teng was endowed with a number of gifts and talents to facilitate his work in a lifetime of ministry:

1. Pastor: Pastoral ministry was at the core of his life’s work.
2. Theology educator: Teaching at Guangzhou Bible Institute, Alliance Bible Seminary, Bethel Bible Seminary, CGST, Christian Ministry Institute…
3. World mission motivator and participator (see “The Life of Reverend Philip Teng”).
4. Speaker at international forums: He said with humility that he was invited worldwide just because he spoke English. His sermons centered around the Bible, which was his most favourite book. He prepared for sermons whether or not he was invited to do so, zealously writing his outline in point form. Every year, his birthday wish was to be able to preach until 100 years of age. He was a sincere outlet of God’s Word.
5. Author: He wrote fast and well, focusing mainly on the Bible.
6. Calligraphist: Penmanship with the brush had been his favourite since childhood. He used to say that an invitation to calligraphy would be his opportunity to practise penmanship, often completing the job in a single attempt.
7. Musician: He enjoyed singing hymns and had been a choir conductor while in university. His special interest was whether the melody blends well with the sound of the lyrics.
8. Prayer: He prayed for family, church, theological seminaries and a host of other needs.

Despite failing strength, sight, hearing and memory in recent years, he still enjoyed delivering sermons, singing hymns and prayers, even when he was alone.

Character and daily life

1. He was time-conscious, always early, never late. He was well-prepared, concise and to the point.
2. He was forward-looking, never backwards.
3. He often expressed appreciation and affirmation, rarely complained, criticised or made negative remarks.
4. He preached to his Indonesian domestic helper as soon as he noticed that he was not yet a believer.
5. His life was simple and unadorned, travelling the world with one suitcase, one suit, and one change of clothes.
6. He gave money and gifts to others but never to himself. I had to throw away his old clothing before he would let me buy new ones.
7. Except when he was sick, he was a happy man and enjoyed joking with me and hearing me sing hymns and tell jokes to put him to sleep.

Happy ending, yet not without regret

When we first met, he mentioned putting on his tombstone the wording “President in name”, meaning that his purpose was mainly to groom the younger generation.

Formerly named “懷智”, he changed his name to 近輝 because he loved to stay close to the glory of God. Reviewing his own life, he summarized in one phrase, “The sovereign grace of God”. His memoirs were named All is Grace, which epitomises his life.

His only regret was that he did not spend enough time to accompany his sons during their growth to maturity. He considered himself a dull and inward-looking person. His mother tongue was Putonghua but his sons spoke Cantonese, and he was too busy to communicate with his sons in those days. He had thought that children of pastors, like himself who grew up in church, would naturally become good boys. However, the times have changed whereby he could not expect today’s children to sit obediently to listen to a sermon and when not understanding or feeling dull, to read the maps at the end of the Bible and grow up. The times cannot be reverted, so he often prayed for his grandchildren.

When granddaughter Josephine wrote to him in her childhood saying that she wished to become a missionary someday, Rev. Teng waited happily, counting the days before the emergence of a fifth generation Teng family serving the Lord.

Peaceful end

Rev. Teng could still take the bus or fly to deliver sermons before the age of 80. He did not need a walking stick on his 85th birthday. Leading a disciplined life, he enjoyed good health and had hoped to preach until the age of 100. For him, aging did not become evident until March 2011 when he was 89. He was hospitalised for pneumonia, inflammation, and bacterial infection on several occasions. And last year, he stayed in hospitals and infirmaries more often than at home.

In the past year, his sons and grandchildren came back to Hong Kong to visit him. His two sons in Hong Kong had lunch (yum cha) with him each Sunday after service and watched TV with him at home, making a happy family day.

Six months ago, due to a change in domestic helper, Rev. Teng had to temporarily stay at Haven of Hope Woo Ping Care and Attention Home in Tseung Kwan O where he undertook physiotherapy daily and took nutrition meals. His health showed some improvement and I could take him by wheel chair to have desserts at a nearby Chinese restaurant.

Most recently, Rev. Teng caught a flu and had fever, later turning into pneumonia which was at first not too serious. Meals were not allowed but, after evaluation by a nutritionist, resumed and he could slowly finish his last supper —— a soft-diet nutrition meal. After that, his breathing became difficult and upon extraction of sputum, fell into deep sleep under an oxygen mask.

Accompanying patients for a long time is not allowed in public hospitals, especially during the current bird flu scare. Visits are restricted to evenings. But thank God, the nurses of Tseung Kwan O Hospital provided some convenience, even calling me up in the middle of the night to accompany Rev. Teng through the night. It was 2 am when I returned to the hospital on 19 December. Rev. Teng had been in a lethargic sleep for more than 20 hours. I sang hymns and prayed beside his ears until 2:22am when he rested in peace in the middle of his sleep. I was comforted in that I was with him during his final trip and that he returned painlessly to God.

It is a “must” for every life journey to end. Rev. Teng has faithfully served this generation. Now that he has completed his work and returned to his heavenly home, parting with the labours on earth, it is in a way a blessing. Although I am sad to see him go and will have to re-adapt to living alone, there is relief in the thought that we will indeed meet again in our heavenly home, where there will be no more death nor mourning nor crying nor pain, and where we will encircle the throne, forever singing and praising the Lord. What joyful hope!

Thank you

Thank you all for coming to see him off, particularly those of you who have come all the way from abroad. Thanks also to NPAC, Alliance Seminary and the C&MA family for lending a helping hand to the memorial services. May the Lord reward you for your love. May glory be to God and comfort to men.

原載於《恩典懷清輝：滕近輝牧師紀念特刊》，頁22-29。

長子磯華

A pastor’s family is often described as living in a fishbowl because it seems everyone in the congregation is watching and there’s no expectation of privacy. I’d propose that the Teng family actually lived in an aquarium where not only the local congregation seemed to be watching, but the Church at large!

Growing up as the eldest son of Pastor Teng was not an easy task as I remember some of my church friends would often act more carefully around me just in case I’d tell on them through my parents to theirs (not that I would, of course). Or that there would be extra expectations and pressure put on me to behave and perform better just because I was “Pastor Teng’s son.”

In fact, even though I thought life would get easier by going away to college in America from the Hong Kong fishbowl, I couldn’t be more wrong — as Nyack College was (and still is) a Christian & Missionary Alliance school, most faculty members knew my father and, as the C&MA headquarters were still in Nyack at the time, so did many of the staff there! And so, I was always referred to as “Philip Teng’s son.” Except on one occasion: My father was invited to speak at my college graduation baccalaureate service at Nyack, and he was introduced as “Bill Teng’s father,” which my father thought was great!

In many ways, the Teng family life was full of paradoxes: For example, my father’s life was an enigma as he seldom talked about his past — and I had to read about them in his writings — but yet, his life was always an open book, because he was always who he was, and there was no guise about him! As I was growing up, my impression of him was that he was a disciplinarian, and yet he was always fair. Probably because of his reserved personality, I don’t remember he ever said to me “I love you,” but there was never any doubt in my mind that he did, dearly. We didn’t seem to have much growing up with six boys in the family, but we never lacked anything. And, even though I’m sure he’d have loved to have all his children served the Church fulltime, he never put pressure on any of us to do that. But, there is one thing I do know: He prayed for us each day of our lives that we would love God and serve Him to the best of our abilities, no matter where we were.

Even though my father has now rested from his earthly labor and gone into the presence of our Heavenly Father, to hear these words that we all want to hear someday: “Well done, good and faithful servant…enter into the joy of your master,” I know he (and our beloved mother) will — in the spirit of “communion of the saints” — continue to pray for us and cheer us on in our earthly journeys, until we meet again in the eternal presence of our loving and holy Triune God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit!

Rev. William “Bill” Teng
Pastor of Heritage Presbyterian Church in Alexandria,
Virginia and the Chair of Leadership Council of
National Capital Presbytery, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)

原載於《恩典懷清輝：滕近輝牧師紀念特刊》，頁30-31。

五子崙華

As most people only saw the serious side of my Dad, being his son, I saw the fun and relaxing side of him.

I enjoyed sitting with him watching basketball or soccer games on TV, how he got excited and cheered for his teams.

Dad also loved watching crime shows on TV, especially shows with lawyers fighting for justice in the courtrooms.

Dad was humorous, telling jokes all the time. He loved playing with his grandkids. Even in the past couple of years when his memory was not good, when someone mentioned the names of any of his grandkids, that would put a smile on his face!

We will miss you, Dad! Thank you for being a great father, I love you!!

原載於《恩典懷清輝：滕近輝牧師紀念特刊》，頁32。

Jasper (daughter-in-law)（兒媳樂靜）

My dear father-in-law was the most gentle person that I have ever known in my life.

As I remember, he was a man who would not easily get upset, angry or spoke loudly to others. His gentle spirit touched my heart and my spirit.

Every time being around him, I could sense the peace in the atmosphere, just like one can sense Jesus’ presence. I think that is what some people have told me that when you see Pastor Teng, you see Jesus!

We honored Pastor Philip Teng as he was a great man of God, a great evangelist, a humble servant, and a friend of God. For me and my family, we know that we miss him even more because he was a great loving father, and a loving grandfather. He passed on a precious inheritance of the fruits to his generations. WE thank God for him!

We miss you, Dad!

原載於《恩典懷清輝：滕近輝牧師紀念特刊》，頁32。

Jeffrey（孫兒輝橋）

I remember some things that I did with my Grandpa, watching basketball games on TV on the couch and laughing together. I’m glad I got to see my Grandpa this past spring so I could make some new memories. I never thought that that would be the last time I would see him alive. Some of the new memories was seeing him sing and seeing him smile. This was the first time that I have had clear memories of seeing my Grandpa because before last spring, the last time I saw him was when I was 7 or 8.

原載於《恩典懷清輝：滕近輝牧師紀念特刊》，頁33。

Jordan（孫兒忠橋）

My grandpa was a good man. He served God for over 70 years. He has been a very good role model in my life. He always kept going, even though he was tired or sick. The one thing that I will never forget about my grandpa is the Chinese prayer that he taught me. I will always remember my grandpa and what he has done not just in my life but in everyone’s life he has touched throughout his ministry.

原載於《恩典懷清輝：滕近輝牧師紀念特刊》，頁33。

六子磐華（Peter）

Dear Dad,

What an awesome privilege it has been to be one of your sons!! You have always provided for all of our needs and we lacked nothing. I remember fondly how you always treated us to dining in a restaurant upon your return from traveling overseas. Unfortunately, I didn’t know enough to ask you about your trips and how God had used you around the world —— my loss. I do recall that one time when we were at the airport waiting for your flight, I asked you how many countries you had visited. It took you a while, but you eventually listed over thirty. I was amazed.

Growing up in the church, we were surrounded by people who loved our family. But more importantly, I sensed the people’s respect for you and it spoke volumes to me that you were doing something worthwhile, good and right. My young mind told me that I wanted to be just like you. God eventually used this to guide me into ministry. You never pushed me in this direction, but thank you for preparing the way for me by your exemplary life.

One of the downside of being a son of a famous person like you was people’s expectations. They saw us and wondered if we were like you in ways other than physical stature. By God’s grace, I never felt the pressure to be exactly like you. In fact, for a long time, I felt I did not inherit any of your talents. But perhaps I was looking at it in all the wrong ways. Your abilities were not a result of your natural talents, but your spiritual gifts, hard work and perseverance in the Lord. Many people, indeed, admire your fame, but they don’t have your humility, a pure desire for God.

Dad, when brother Timothy passed away, you & Mom were on a preaching tour in Taiwan. You decided not to break your prior engagement and so did not return for his funeral. I can only imagine what a tough choice that was. I’m afraid it was not a decision that everyone can appreciate; they might think that you don’t care about your family, but I know better. How hard it must have been to forfeit saying one last goodbye to your son, pushing your emotions aside as you ascended the pulpit day after day to proclaim God’s Word.

A couple of months before Mom succumbed to cancer, you were about to keep your promise to preach abroad. You were headed for the airport when brother John pleaded with you to stay home by her side; you reluctantly stayed and apologized to those churches. I’m sure they understood, Dad.

In my entire life, I only saw you cry once; it was during Mom’s funeral. Seeing you cry broke our hearts. You wanted to be strong for your family, but God has made us with emotions. Following Mom’s death, you had a hard time sleeping at night. We got you melatonin, which you tried and gave up because it gave you bad dreams. It sure was tough to let Mom go. I hope that the arrival of your first grandson had been of some comfort during that period of adjustment.

I’m sorry that we lived on opposite sides of the globe for the last 16 years. Your grandkids would love to have grown up with you, learning for themselves what a great grandfather they had.

Thank you, Dad, for your faithful prayers for me throughout my life. I have gone through some really tough times in recent years but I had the confidence that you were praying for me, even as you prayed for all your sons. Now that you are free from the perspectives of this

temporary life, are you still able to pray for us? I suppose I will never know as long as I’m on this side of eternity. Isn’t it wonderful, though, that we serve such an awesome & gracious God? His grace will be sufficient for me even as it has been for you!

See you very soon, Dad!!

親愛的爸爸：

能夠作為您兒子， 是我人生極大的福氣！！！

您無微不至地供應了我們所有的需用。我記得您每次從外地講道回來，都帶我們到西餐廳食大餐。很可惜！我都不懂得去問您旅途如何？以及神怎樣使用了您？這是我的損失。我記得有一次送您去機場，候機時我問您去過多少個國家？您算了一會，列出了三十多個國家來，我真的感到很驚訝！

在教會長大，我們時常得到人們的愛戴。但更重要的，是我感受到人們對您的尊敬，此事幫助我明白到，您所做的一切，是何等有價值！是美好的！是對的！年少的我就開始想要學像您一樣。神也藉著這早期的深刻印象，領我走上奉獻的路。您雖然沒有強迫我全職事奉，但我感謝您活出一個模範的人生，預備了我的心!

當一個享有盛名的兒子，真的不容易，其中一樣就是人們對我們的期望。也許他們好奇我們跟您相仿之處。感謝神！我從來未曾讓自己感受到，要跟您有一樣成就的壓力。事實上，我一直覺得自己沒有繼承您的天份。但恐怕我的看法完全錯了！您的才幹並不是生下來就有的，您的屬靈恩賜除了是神賦予之外，也是您在主裡的勞力及恆心的結果。無可否認，很多人羨慕您擁有的聲譽，但他們缺乏您的謙卑，定意追求神的心。

爸爸，當三哥礎華去世的時候，您和媽媽正在台灣幾間教會講道。您決定按照原定的安排講道，而不回來參加他的安息禮拜。這不是人人都會認同的一個決定。他們可能誤會以為您不理會您的家人，但我明白您的心。可想而知這是一個多麼困難的抉擇。要放棄最後機會對自己的兒子道別，是多麼困難的事！再加上每天晚上，要把自己哀慟的感受暫時擱置一旁，繼續上台傳講神的話語。

此外，在媽媽去世的前幾個月，您早已答應了前往遠處講道。您已預備好要去飛機場，但五哥崙華哀求您留在媽媽身邊。您掙扎之後決定留下，跟教會道歉。爸爸，他們必定明白你當時的境況！

在我一生中，只看見您哭過一次，就是在媽媽的葬禮上，見到您哭實在難受。您的確是很堅強，但神也賜我們感性。媽媽離去之後，您有一段時間不能睡覺。您嘗試服用退黑激素，但這藥導致您發惡夢，最後就放棄了。適應媽媽的離去真的不容易。只盼望第一個孫子的來臨，帶給您一點安慰！

很可惜您在香港度過了最後的十六年。我很自私地說：我的子女錯過了在您的影響之下長大，不能親自認識到一個多麼偉大的祖父！

爸爸，很感謝您為我禱告。近年來我經歷了一些難受的日子，但我深信您一直不斷地為我向神禱求，正如您為您每一個孩子禱告一樣。您現在已經不被這暫時有限的看法限制了，您還能為我們禱告嗎？活在永恆的這一面，恐怕我是不可能明白的了。但我們所事奉的神是偉大而滿有恩惠的。正如祂的恩典足夠您用，也一定夠我用的！

爸爸，很快再見！！

原載於《恩典懷清輝：滕近輝牧師紀念特刊》，頁34-36。

Whoy（兒媳會璿）

As I pen my memory of Dad, I must beg his forgiveness, for to disclose the personal life of someone else is like walking the proverbial high wire without a net. Dad is no longer here to object, correct, or refine my reflections; I can only sincerely hope by showcasing Dad’s life, the reader has a fresh glimpse of him as an authentic man pursuing God in his most private setting.

Fakery is now an everyday artifice of our lives as witness the unkept promises of politicians, the cheating scandals of athletics, and the failures of church leaders. In the midst of so much chicanery, Dad’s genuineness was refreshing like a gentle breeze in mid-day’s heat. His public persona and his private self were one and the same. On many occasions, church leaders came to our home and discussed weighty matters with Dad. After hours of discussions, Dad usually retreated into his room, still in the throes of conflict, he knelt down in prayer. At the dinner table, I could see he was burdened. But Dad never polluted our sacred meal time with insidious gossips, character assassinations, or harsh criticisms; in fact, Dad never took the microphone to air judgment, condemnation, or indictment. His silence was not an endorsement for transgression, but a conviction of the man within for he was as much against sin as he was for grace. So often, Dad’s quietness reveals deep trust in God‘s power to transform people’s heart. It was Dad’s firm belief, Grace, not accusation, made for quicker and more repentances, not fewer.

One evening, during dinner, Peter and I spoke with Dad about a major ministry debacle that took place at that time. To my shame now, but back then we were remonstrating with Dad to admonish certain leaders for their unbiblical decision and direction, but Dad’s response was simple and I shall never forget it for all my life: “The faults lie with me.” We knew he was absolutely innocent of it; we knew he grieved for the leaders involved; we knew but were too spiritually condescending to possess Dad’s greater insight into how confession, repentance, and restoration operate under the power of Grace. That night, Dad showed me the convictability of his own heart! It was not on the public stage that he revealed the true mark of a man. It was in the private setting of his home at the dining table during a mundane evening, which extended into many such evenings for years and years, engaged in table talks as we were that I came to realize what an extraordinary man my father-inlaw was.

Dad not only pastored me with his spiritual convictions, but with his kindness too. Many were the days he played with his rambunctious grandchildren so that I may relax, rest, and read. A real saint he was for he willingly ate what I cooked and was liberal with his compliments to the more-than-amateur chef. Patiently distracting the children with games and books, Dad enabled me to finish chores. When the children were young, they had little understanding how busy Grandpa was. As soon as my back turned, they would storm into his room like a military brigade and demanded he play with them. Dad always surrendered peacefully and put them each in turn on his office chair swirling them around and around. After more parley, Dad would offer the little army his favorite snack, Turkish Delight, which was a big hit for them all. He was an affectionate grandfather who carried, hugged and sang to his grandkids. He held their hands as he walked with them and told them jokes as he played with them. The Bible verse, “Let the little children come unto me and do not forbid them; for such is the kingdom of Heaven,” was a reality Dad lived out. When children grew older, they became conscious of his global influence. To affection was added admiration. He may be Dr. Reverend Philip Teng to the world, but he was always “Yeh Yeh” to them.

Many are the Chinese leaders in Christian ministry, some deserving great accolades, but Dad was what the old poets called a “shining star.” A true rarity. For Dad was both a kingly gentleman and a humble servant. I can think of no befitting honor to give Dad than the one that is given by Samwise Gamgee to Faramir in J.R.R. Tolkien’s Trilogy: “You’ve shown your quality, sir. The very highest.” “Yes, Dad, YOU have shown your quality, the very highest.” I might add one more thing, what would be Dad’s response to all this eulogizing? I believe he would find Faramir’s reply well spoken, and not only well spoken but I can even imagine Dad using the archaic King’s English with a little Edinburgh accent:

“But nay: the praise of the praiseworthy is above all rewards. Yet there was naught in this to praise. I had no lure or desire to do other than I have done.”

Indeed, Dad had no other lure or desire except to do all things for the glory of his Lord and Savior. What a legacy for me, for you.

原載於《恩典懷清輝：滕近輝牧師紀念特刊》，頁37-38。

Stephan（孫兒恩橋）

Although it’s been more than ten years ago, I remember my grandfather playing games with me, like trying to be the last one to stack their hand on top of each other’s hands or spinning me in his swivel chair. He would tell jokes during dinner and, while he stayed with us, I would shout across the hall, “good morning!” and “good night” to him every day and night, and he would answer the same with a smile. But something that I will always treasure in my memory is his deep founded love in God.

One day, my siblings, cousins and I went over to him and decided to give him an “interview.” We asked him questions like, “What’s your favorite color?” or “What’s your favorite number?” For each answer he gave, he related it back to the Bible. “I like the number 7 because it’s a number God uses a lot in the Bible,” he would tell us. One of us then asked, “Grandpa, what would be the first thing you would say to Jesus when you see him?” He looked upwards, gave the thought a little time, and softly replied, “I would say, ‘Jesus, thank You for loving me and for saving me.’” My grandfather dedicated his life and service to God and I firmly believe that it is his wish that we would do the same in everything we do.

The last time I got to see him was this past summer. Before I left, he took my hand and gave it a kiss and smiled that wonderful smile I’ll never forget. Now he has arrived home and into the embrace of his Savior forever.

原載於《恩典懷清輝：滕近輝牧師紀念特刊》，頁39。

Josiah（孫兒建橋）

“Why did the chicken cross the road?”

One of my grandpa’s favorite maxims, with which he applied to amusing effect upon many a family occasions. I never quite understood what it was about that classic anecdote that he found so gratifying, but then I do not know him as well as others would. I only came to know him during his last eighteen years on this Earth. What I conjectured about my grandfather early on during this time span was composed mainly through accounts I was told. He was a great emissary of God, a champion of the faith, a humble missionary. He was all these things, yet these titles bore meaning outside of my personal experience with him. In the several occasions I could recall spending time in his presence, he could be defined as an ordinary man harboring an extraordinary purpose. Honorable and distinguished in appearance, yet humble and meek in manner. He was a man possessing ironclad sensibilities who, I always felt, emitted, perhaps involuntarily, a proud affect (strengthened by the fact that age had not reduced his height) which was justified by his great heart and willingness to serve. He preferred listening to speaking, but when he did find the occasion to bless us with his thoughts, everyone earnestly listened.

On this celestial body, temporary keep of humanity, I only had eighteen years to know my grandfather but I doubt, even with the rest of my existence here I can come to fathom the extent of his legacy. The tasks and works for which God accomplished through the life of this man serves as a constant indication of what it means to contentedly live a life blessed with glorious purpose for Christ. For my grandfather, death is just a memory and the work of life is done. When we meet again on eternity’s shore, I will come to know him and see him differently, free from the restraining harnesses life on Earth placed upon him, free to praise his God and Savior forevermore. But until then, I will profoundly miss his presence and contemplate the work of his life.

原載於《恩典懷清輝：滕近輝牧師紀念特刊》，頁40。