Yee Shan Ku at the LWF lay leader’s meeting in Bossey near Geneva, Switzerland. Photo: LWF/ C. Kästner-Meyer
Yee Shan Ku, Hongkong and Macau Lutheran Church
(LWI) - Leadership has been a journey of discovery for Yee Shan Ku, a molecular biologist who serves her congregation as a deacon. She participated in the Lay Leader's seminar in Geneva earlier this year, where she discussed finding her gifts to serve in her community and showing DNA extraction in the church.
Please tell us about your church
I belong to the Hong Kong and Macau Lutheran Church (HKMLC), which has its roots in the ministry of Norwegian missionaries who brought the gospel to China. They then helped local people in Hong Kong establish and manage the church, leading to the formation of our church body and the nine chapels in Hong Kong. We have a chapel in Macau. Today, HKMLC is one among many Christian churches in the region.
What are your main tasks in your congregation?
My chapel is called Hsin On Chapel. I have been serving as a deacon there since 2024. As I'm still new in this role, I'm learning and growing in how best to serve the congregation.
Our chapel sits on the campus of a primary school run by HKMLC. Therefore, we have a unique opportunity to connect with children and their families. Every weekend, we offer tutorial sessions and fellowship for the children. I support this ministry and assist with the activities whenever I can.
Why did you become a deacon?
That's a long story. In Hong Kong, there's a trend of young families leaving. The same is happening in our church. There's a need for new leaders, and I think I can help. I thought I might be able to grow and apply my skills in a new way.
I work as a molecular biologist in a research lab, where I work with people who hold different and strong opinions. I have developed the ability to reflect, analyze opinions, and communicate thoughtfully. That's why I became a deacon. I think I can help improve communication, bring people together, connect them, ground them—to serve the church.
Many people see science and faith as opposites. What is your view?
When I was very young, about six years old, I saw DNA models on television. I found it fascinating. How can a DNA molecule look like a piece of art? That impressed me very deeply. As I grew older, I dreamed of becoming a molecular biologist.
From the perspective of molecular biology, cells and organisms are made up of molecules. Molecules form cells. Cells make up tissues. Tissues build organs. Together, these form the living beings we see around us.
But we are not only made of molecules. We are something more. What gives us meaning, identity, and purpose? I believe that comes from God. We are not just biological systems; we are people and we are children of God.
Every time I observe how cells and molecules work together, I see the hand of a Creator. I believe that behind this intricate design is a Creator—and I believe that that Creator is God.
Yee Shan Ku, deacon and molecular biologist, Hongkong and Macau Lutheran Church
Every time I observe how cells and molecules work together, I see the hand of a Creator. It's no small thing that these molecules rotate and follow detailed processes. For me, this complexity points not away from faith, but toward it. I believe that behind this intricate design is a Creator—and I believe that that Creator is God.
You have even shown DNA extraction in your church?
My pastor said not everyone gets a chance to study much at university, and he asked me what I could do for the church with the knowledge and gifts God has given me. I immediately thought I was good at biology. We're in an educational setting. So, I came up with the idea of a DNA extraction workshop. I did a simple experiment in the church—with bananas, detergent, salt, and alcohol. It was successful.
Can you tell me about your church and the situation there? Are Christians a minority in Hong Kong?
Christians are not very common in our society. In many Chinese communities, Christianity is relatively new. Historically, missionaries from around the world helped plant the seeds of the Christian faith in our region.
Our church is closely connected to education. We have several schools in Hong Kong—a kindergarten, three primary schools, and a secondary school. For example, my chapel is in a primary school, which allows us to share the gospel with hundreds of students and their families.
We host weekend tutorial sessions and fellowship, and we hold regular student recognition ceremonies during the school year. After each ceremony, we invite families to stay for a meal and conversation, fostering a sense of community. That's how we try to reach people and share the gospel.
How has the political situation affected you?
One of the challenges we face is that many young families have been moving away from Hong Kong in recent years. Some of them were very active in church leadership and ministry. Their departure has created a gap—not only in numbers, but in experience and community life. This is a big challenge for us.
Where do you see the role of the church in everyday life?
I think the church plays a vital role in teaching values to young people. One example from our ministry is the work we do in primary school. Young children already use technology and are exposed to social media, but at their age, they are still learning what is right and what is wrong.
In our work, we teach them Christian values and how to treat others with respect. We always encourage them to care for one another. We believe that when love is present between people, we see the face of God. That's what we hope they carry with them as they grow.
What does it mean to you to be part of the LWF?
Being part of the Lutheran World Federation is very meaningful to me. Even though Hong Kong is small, I see God is at work everywhere in the whole world. We are part of something greater. That's very meaningful. I think no church is too small to contribute, and no church is too big to listen to others.
It's good to see how God is present in different parts of the world. It's good to see people from different places united under God. We read the same Bible, and we pray to the same God. That means a lot to me.
