“The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds…Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.”

— John 12:23–26

In 2025, I participated in the annual Mission Conference of Chinese Christian Church of Greater Washington, D.C. with a heart full of gratitude. Though the three-day gathering was brief, it refreshed my spirit like a gentle breeze and helped me to see the Lord’s work among the nations in a new light. Sister Betty Chow's message, in particular, touched me profoundly and resonated deeply within my heart.

Betty Chou was sent by the Chinese Bible Church of Maryland as a missionary. She joined the Chinese Christian Mission in 1983. In 1984 she was sent out to Costa Rica as a pioneer missionary and in that year together with her teammate, they established a Cantonese speaking church “Mission Cristiana China” in San Jose, Costa Rica.  In 1995, Betty and a group of Chinese Christians envisioned the need for a Chinese missionary sending agency - Gospel Operation International for Chinese Christians was founded.  Betty was involved in mission mobilization in North America and responsible for preliminary missionary screening. She was also in charge of the East Asia ministry. In addition to mobilization, she was also an Executive Council Member of the Gospel Operation International for Chinese Christians. Betty received a Master of Ministry from Trinity Bible and Theological Seminary.

In 2003, she established the Go and Love Foundation, witnessing the Lord in China and Myanmar through different platforms. The foundation aims to empower people to participate in community based initiatives, to enhance the quality of life, and to alleviate poverty, thereby meeting both physical and spiritual needs. She was invited as keynote speaker and workshop leader in many mission conferences. She is currently the Chief Executive Officer of the Go and Love Foundation.

During the months of conference preparation, I exchanged many emails with her, never realizing she was nearly eighty years old. She was in Indonesia on a short-term mission trip with a demanding schedule, yet she patiently and thoughtfully responded to every message. Her firm tone and clear thinking made it hard to imagine she was a missionary pioneer of such advanced age.

Only the day before the conference did I learn she had traveled back from overseas. Despite her age, she continues to run for the Lord. Though physically weary, her obedience to God’s calling has never been diminished. Seeing her lifetime of devotion moved me deeply:

This is what beautiful feet look like.

This is the power of the gospel.

During the conference, brothers and sisters from churches across the Greater Washington area gathered to hear her share how the gospel is advancing among the nations. She reminded us to follow the heart of Christ-to step out of comfort and familiarity, to cross cultural and linguistic barriers, and to bring the good news to all peoples.

“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

— Matthew 28:19–20

Throughout the past year, I have especially experienced the truth of Paul’s words:

“because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now”

— Philippians 1:5

May the Lord continue to lead His church so that we walk in unity and respond to His calling with our lives. May the gospel continue to spread—not only in the Greater Washington area but throughout the United States and the world.

Silver hair gleams with the glory of the Lord;

A life poured out in love, its blessings outpoured.

At eighty still proclaiming His message of grace,

Through storms and wind, growing stronger in the race.

Across all nations His Gospel lights the way,

Winning souls for Christ with devotion day by day.

In the summer of 2026, our church will partner with the Go and Love Foundation, founded by Sister Chow, to serve in Surabaya, Indonesia. We pray that more brothers and sisters will prepare their hearts to join this beautiful journey of faith and contribute their strength to the Lord’s kingdom.

May we also leave our own footprints in His harvest field.