John Chow 周嘉羽

I got several rare opportunities to fellowshipped with brother John Chow, I was touched by his absoluteness in following the ministry of the age, especially for the burden of the carrying out of Vital group. He mentioned to me several times about the practice of the vital group. He charged me that it is one of the key practices to prepare the bride of Christ for His coming back…and we need to be faithful to this and find the way to carry out in the Church life which contained the gospel-preaching, nourishing and shepherding the saints and building up of the Body of Christ.” May our brothers’s vision and burden become ours as well to carry out the vital group in a faithful and absolute way.

I have been a long-time family friend to the Kwan family, including brother John Chow. During the last few years, I had the privilege of knowing brother John Chow more personally, when he began to require regular medical care and weekly appointments in Irvine. During this time his family had asked me to assist with helping to drive brother John Chow to his appointments, when other family was unable to make it. Little did I know that this would turn out to be a much more salvation for me. I spent many hours with brother John in the car and at his appointments, and from the many conversations we had, it was clear to me that brother John Chow was one who was absolute for God. He time and time again emphasized the matter of prayer and the vital groups, and even recommended me ministry books to read. I had much fellowship and many opportunities to pray with him.

He had such a heart for the Lord and for the building up of His Body. At one such appointment, one of the nurses taking care of him revealed that she herself was a seeking Christian, and he immediately became so burdened for her. He prepared booklets and ministry recommendations, and appointment after appointment, continued to share something of Christ. Unfortunately, due to certain scheduling and location changes, we were not able to continue speaking to her, but even at the new location, he still continued to try and impart something of Christ to the other nurses, whether humanly and spiritually, and despite his physical health, was so happy to see the nurses. On one hand, his appointments were to take care of his own health, but on the other hand, brother John was going to have many divine appointment with the nurses at the hospital to take care of them. After this, week by week, I truly saw that brother John’s heart was one with the Lord, and loved the Lord to the uttermost. He truly lived the Christian life, and was without a doubt a faithful minister and witness of the Lord. I’m so encouraged and so thankful to the Lord for the opportunity to know our dear brother John, a shepherd who continuously labored for the sake of the Lord and His Body.

Jer. 3:15 — And I will give you shepherds according to My own heart, who will feed you knowledge and understanding

My family moved to Irvine when I was 7 years old and as a young girl, I was very scared of brother John. There were a few of us naughty kids and we would run around the large planter that used to sit in the middle of the courtyard of the meeting hall of the church in Irvine. He would sternly tell us to stop running and we were compelled by his commanding presence to obey. But even though brother John had a tough exterior, he was very caring and shepherded my family very particularly. When our family needed a place to live, he and his wife Helen spent their time to find the house that ended up being the home that I grew up in. When they learned that my family would visit our relatives in northern California, brother John and sister Helen had a burden that my relatives would be saved and prayed with us for this. As a result of their exhortation and prayers, I spoke to some of my cousins about the Lord Jesus and prayed with them to receive the Lord. And lastly, brother John raised 4 amazing children that have all shepherded me throughout my childhood and adolescence, and even until today, and have always been and continue to be patterns to me of loving and serving the Lord in the church life. I will be forever indebted to brother John and his family.

2002年秋天，我和姊妹在Irvine召会得救并过召会生活，一个小排聚会后，我问周弟兄，创世记一章二十六节，神为什么说“我们”？周弟兄说，下周回答你。我惦记了一周，再小排聚会时，周弟兄才给我解释神圣三一的事，使我印象非常深刻。后来我在Austin过召会生活，有位弟兄一直不肯受浸。后来周弟兄来了，也在小排里，周弟兄问他受浸了没有，然后直率地说，是魔鬼拦阻你受浸。那位弟兄就受浸了。那些时候，真感觉周弟兄参透万事，他知道用什么样的话来牧养主里的后生。为了Austin召会的校园工作，他和师母在德州大学旁买了栋房子，给学生们作弟兄之家。我在Austin服事校园时，我照顾的几个小弟兄因此深得属灵的益处。多年不见，忽闻弟兄已经安息，愿主安慰周弟兄的家人，也愿弟兄的牧养服事在他所牧养过的圣徒身上继续。
Church in Arcadia
徐柏玉弟兄

Brother John Chow upon hearing the “Macedonia Call” (Acts 16:9-10)
endeavoured to go forth to Singapore.
This was in the early years of 1990s.
Glory unto God for brother Chow who immediately came to Singapore. He reconnected the few saints to the Flow of Life and the Living Stream Ministry. Brother Chow made frequent trips to fellowship wth the saints. Later with Helen, they would stay for months, dispensing Christ and shepherding the saints.
Singapore became their second home for almost 30 years.
They were governed by their vision and commitment with the all sufficient grace of Christ Jesus.
On 28 Jan 1996 the first monthly combined meeting, we declared our Vision and Commitment and the LORD carried us on; the church is at 1000 plus and growing in 2026.
Thank and Praise the LORD I witnessed in brother John Chow 2 Tim 4:6-8.
Brother Chow HAVE KEPT THE FAITH.
Amen. Come LORD Jesus.

『耶和华是我的牧者；我必不至缺乏。』诗二十三1

愿主纪念brother John Chow，还有他一家人,
主是我们大牧人，愿主顾惜和喂养 brother John and sister Helen 一家一切需要。

赞美主，brother John 是圣徒的好榜样，在我早期得救的时候，2000 年 在新加坡，我们和弟兄，子妹在会所一起晨兴，他不断供应给我们话语的职事，按时分糧。 是主忠信的好管家。

非常怀念那些日子。 谢谢你周弟兄， 赞美主，荣耀归于主。

James Tan

My family moved to Irvine in 1990 and began our church life; this was my early stage in the church life. Soon after, I met Brother Chow and his wife, who were very supportive of our family. My initial fellowship with Brother Chow was through a morning revival he invited me to, which marked the beginning of my involvement in morning revival church life. I cherish this experience, and even now I still experience and enjoy the Triune God in morning revival and receive edification. In early 2020, Brother Chow shared with me and several other brothers the burden of managing and implementing the Vitality Group. We all accepted this burden, and also the burden of praying together, which was also Brother Witness Lee's later burden. Afterwards, we agreed to seek Brother Witness Lee's deliverance messages (three books) on Zoom every Tuesday and Thursday morning from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM and prayed steadfastly and continuously for three or four years. We realized that the foundation of the Vitality Group is abundant and thorough prayer and reaching out to people. Brother Chow led us in prayer; his burden for the Vitality Group was very heavy. We know that he was also constantly calling many brothers to invite them to join our pursuit and prayer. The seeds of the Vitality Class's pursuit and prayer have been sown among us. The Lord has taken Brother Chow away, but the burden of the Vitality Class remains among us.

Praise the Lord!

Brother Yu-Sheng Fan

我們家是 1990 年 搬來 Irvine 的並且進入召會生活，這是我在召會生活早期階段。 不久之後就認識了周弟兄和周師母，他們就很関心我們家。 我和周弟兄起初的交通是他約我和他一起兩人的晨興，這是我進入晨興召會生活的開始。我很寶貝這個經歷，一直到現在我還是在晨興中經歷並享受三一神，並且得到建造。 在2020年初周弟兄對我和另外幾位弟兄交通到活力排的操錬和實行的負擔，我們都阿門這個負擔，並且有在一起禱告的負擔，這也是李常受弟兄晚期的負擔。之後我們就約定在 zoom 上每週二，週四早上十點至十二點追求李常受弟兄釋放的信息 （三本書）並且堅定持續的禱告了三、四年的時間。我們領悟活力排的基礎就是多而撤底的禱告，接觸人。周弟兄帶著我們禱告＇他對活力排的頁擔非常重。我們知道他同時也不斷地打電話給很多的弟兄邀請他們加入我們的追求和禱告。 活力排的追求和禱告的種子已經撒在我們中間，主將周弟兄接去了，活力排的負擔卻是留在我們中間，讚美主。

范渝生弟兄

In Loving Memory of Brother John

A Faithful Shepherd and Pattern in the Lord

We remember with deep gratitude and love our dear Brother John, who faithfully shepherded us—Jack, Jacob, and myself—not merely in word, but in spirit, in life, and in truth.

Even in times of ill health, Brother John did not cease to care for us. Through Zoom meetings and personal fellowships, he poured himself out as a drink offering, guiding us with gentleness and unwavering love. He bore us in prayer, admonished us with faithfulness, and continually reminded us to be absolute for the Lord.

Through him, we saw a pattern of a man who loved the Lord, who stood for God's economy, and who labored not for his own gain, but for the building up of the Body of Christ.

Though Brother John has gone to be with the Lord, the seed he sowed into our hearts remains. His labor was not in vain in the Lord. We carry forward his exhortation—to be absolute for Christ, to care for one another in love...

We thank the Lord for giving us such a brother. May we walk worthily of the pattern he left behind.

“Remember those who lead you... imitate their faith.”
— Hebrews 13:7

Jack, Jacob & Alvin
- Church in Singapore -

>>>>>>>

深切怀念周弟兄

在主里忠信牧养的榜样

我们怀着深深的感恩与爱，纪念亲爱的周弟兄。他忠信地牧养了我们——Jack, Jacob 和我——不仅在话语上，更是在灵里、在生命里、在真理中牧养我们。

即使在身体软弱的时候，周弟兄仍不停止对我们的关怀。他借着 Zoom 聚会与个人的交通，将自己如奠祭般倾倒出来，以柔和而坚定不移的爱引导我们。他在祷告中托住我们，以忠信劝勉我们，并不断提醒我们要为主绝对。

在他身上，我们看见一个爱主的人，一个为神经纶站住的人，一个不为自己劳苦，乃是为着基督身体的建造而劳苦的人。

虽然周弟兄已经与主同在，他所撒在我们心中的种子却长存。他在主里的劳苦不是徒然的。我们愿继续他对我们的劝勉——为基督绝对，彼此相爱地牧养与顾惜……

我们感谢主赐给我们这样一位弟兄。愿我们行事为人与他所留下的榜样相称。

“要记念那些引导你们的人……要效法他们的信心。”
—希伯来书 13:7

Jack, Jacob and Alvin
新加坡召会

我第一次遇见周弟兄，是他来参加在我家举行的周五小排聚会。当时周弟兄和周师母正在华盛顿州Sammamish探访他们的女儿女婿一家。那次聚会中，正好有一位弟兄带着他的母亲（当时还是福音朋友）一同参加。周弟兄便有负担向她传福音。虽然弟兄年事已高，却依然满有活力，我深深被他里面那福音的灵所打动——那灵新鲜而刚强，正如林后4:16所说：“所以我们不丧胆。外面的人虽然在毁坏，里面的人却日日更新。”

虽然周弟兄住在加州尔湾，但因着这次偶然的相遇和主的带领，他对我产生了成全的负担，邀请我和另外两位在职弟兄每周一次通过Zoom线上一同追求李弟兄关于“活力排”的信息。我能感受到他对在职圣徒得着造就与牧养的负担是何等沉重而迫切。他常常提到：教会需要圣徒被成全、受装备，成为有活力的人，组成活力排来过正常的教会生活。弟兄那种争战、迫切的灵，常常深深摸着我。

在我与周弟兄单独的交通中，他就像一位属灵的父亲：一面十分谦卑，满有人性的顾惜与喂养；另一面又在生命上给予我激励与训导。

我满心感谢主，为召会预备了周弟兄这样一位贵重的器皿和活的榜样，用以建造祂的身体。

王伟荣弟兄
Church in Bellevue

The first time I met Brother Chow was when he came to attend a Friday home meeting held at my home. At that time, Brother Chow and Sister Chow were visiting their daughter and son-in-law in Sammamish, Washington. During that gathering, another brother happened to bring his mother along (she was still a gospel friend at the time). Brother Chow felt burdened to share the gospel with her. Although he was already advanced in age, he was still full of vitality. I was deeply touched by the gospel spirit within him — fresh and strong — just as 2 Corinthians 4:16 says: “Though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day.”

Although Brother Chow lives in Irvine, California, through Lord’s leading, he was burdened to perfect me. He invited me and two other working brothers to pursue Brother Lee’s messages of “vital groups” together weekly via Zoom. I could truly sense how weighty and urgent his burden was for the building up and shepherding of working saints. He often mentioned that the church needs saints to be perfected and equipped to become vital persons who form vital groups to live a proper church life. His fighting and earnest spirit frequently touched me deeply.

In my personal fellowship with Brother Chow, he is like spiritual father to me — very humble, full of humanity to nourish and encourage me on the one hand, while on the other giving guidance and even discipline in life that helped me grow.

I am deeply thankful to the Lord for preparing Brother Chow as such a precious vessel and living pattern for the church, for the building up of His Body.

Frank Wang
Church in Bellevue

Three weeks have passed since Brother John went home to be with the Lord, and I still find myself thinking about him often. I met him and his wife, Helen, in Hong Kong more than thirty years ago, at a time when I did not yet know the lord. It was through his words and the gospel he shared that I came to believe, to commit my life to Christ, and to be baptized.
Brother John and Sister Helen lived out their faith with patience and love to every seeker of the Gospel and new believer. Brother John especially loved Indonesian food, and over the years, we often gathered around to share meals and share our experience with God, with moments that felt like family.
His faith was not loud or showy. It was patient, rooted, and lived out in everyday faithfulness. You could see it in how he listened, how he prayed, and how he trusted God through every season of life.
Brother John’s kindness flowed naturally from that faith. He had a gentle way of making people feel seen and welcomed, particularly new believers who were still learning how to follow Christ. He never rushed them or dismissed their questions. Instead, he walked alongside them, patiently explaining, praying with them, and pointing them back to Jesus. He truly had the heart of a shepherd.
The church is strengthened by people like Brother John, who serve faithfully and love generously, often without recognition.
Eight years ago, my family immigrated to Canada, and our contact became less frequent as distance quietly grew.
When I learned that Brother John had been called home by the Lord, my heart felt both sorrow and longing. His absence is quiet but deeply felt. He was not someone who sought attention, yet his character and kindness left a lasting mark on many of us.

Sister Vann Cheng (Hong Kong)

我是周弟兄在建中时期的小学弟。1994 年我刚到 Irvine 召会服事时，便已听闻并亲眼见到这位老学长的风采。我与周弟兄的几位弟弟都十分熟识，也记得他的女儿与女婿 Jeremiah 都是我在 FTTA 时期的同学。那时周弟兄本人仍然事务繁忙，却始终深切关心召会的发展与各样的服事工作。

我对兄长最深刻的一次印象，发生在我刚进入水流职事站服事的那几年。一次夏季训练期间，余弟兄嘱咐我联系多位在职场中的弟兄，一同有交通聚集。那一次，周弟兄与李弟兄也一同参与了我们的讨论。那场聚会对我而言格外受用。

当时我一直以为自己的职责，只是协助余弟兄召聚弟兄们、共商方向；没想到余弟兄一到，第一件事竟是转向我，直接问道：“你有什么想法和计划？”我当场愣住了，在众多弟兄面前一时语无伦次，不知如何回应。最后他说：“唉，尔文啊，你还没有预备好经纶。”这句话深深提醒了我。从那以后，无论大事小事、任何聚会之前，我都会先认真思考，再提出建议。

然而，在那段时间里，李弟兄却是对我个人的提议较为正面、也较为支持的一位。后来我才得知，这与他常与周弟兄有交通有关。对此，我心中满了感恩。之后他们多半在东南亚服事，一年中难得见上几次面。一直到余弟兄过世后，我才得知周弟兄回到 Irvine 照顾周师母。我把握一次服事的机会，特地前去探望周弟兄，并将天强弟兄托付的物品亲自带给他，这才有了一次较为深入的交通。

我们谈了许多事情。因着高中时期共同的美好回忆，彼此之间有许多无需多言便能领会的默契；同时也谈到他后来在召会与事业上的点点滴滴。总觉得时间过得太快。我因顾念他的身体状况，便先行告辞，心想日后仍有机会在大会中再相见。

实在未曾想到，不久前收到黄滔弟兄的信息，才得知周弟兄已经被主接去了。

这次的新春华语聚会之所以希望能提前举行，是因为有许多主内的家人，都极其盼望能再彼此见一面。主来的日子近了，我们能多一次相聚都不容易。如今身在北加州，确实不比从前，能随时与各地圣徒相见。

周弟兄，走好。主必纪念您和您的一家。
耶稣是主，基督得胜！

林尔文（Owen David Lin）
写于北加州 San Lorenzo

I am a younger schoolmate of Brother Chow from his Chien-Kuo High School days. When I first came to serve in the Church in Irvine in 1994, I had already heard of—and personally witnessed—the presence and stature of this respected senior brother. I was well acquainted with several of his younger brothers, and I remember that his daughter and son-in-law, Jeremiah, were both my classmates during my time in the FTTA. Although Brother Chow was deeply occupied with many responsibilities at the time, his heart was always fully set on the growth and service of the church.

One of my strongest impressions of him came during my early years of serving at the Living Stream Ministry. During a summer training, Brother Yu asked me to contact several brothers in the workplace to gather for fellowship. On that occasion, Brother Chow and Brother Li both joined our discussion. That meeting left a lasting mark on me.

At the time, I had assumed that my role was simply to assist Brother Yu in gathering the brothers and facilitating fellowship. To my surprise, when Brother Yu arrived, the very first thing he did was to turn to me and ask, “What ideas and plans do you have?” I was completely caught off guard. Standing before so many brothers, I found myself stumbling over my words, unable to articulate anything clearly. In the end, he said, “Owen, you haven’t prepared the economy yet.” That word became a serious and life-shaping reminder to me. From that point on, whether for large or small gatherings, I learned to think things through carefully before offering any suggestions.

During that period, Brother Li was the one who viewed my personal proposals more positively and with encouragement. Later, I learned that this was because he often had fellowship with Brother Chow. For this, I remain deeply thankful. In the years that followed, they were mostly serving in Southeast Asia, and we were only able to see one another a few times a year. After Brother Yu passed away, I learned that Brother Chow had returned to Irvine to care for Sister Chow. I seized an opportunity to visit him during a time of service, personally bringing him items entrusted to me by Brother Tian-Chiang. It was then that we were able to have more in-depth fellowship.

We spoke of many things. Having shared precious memories from our high school years, there was a deep, unspoken understanding between us. We also talked about the details of his later experiences in the church and in his work. Time seemed far too short. Concerned for his health, I chose to leave earlier, thinking that there would surely be another opportunity to meet again at a conference.

I never imagined that shortly afterward, upon receiving a message from Brother Huang Tao, I would learn that Brother Chow had already been received by the Lord.

The reason for hoping that this year’s Lunar New Year Chinese-speaking gathering could be held earlier is that many saints dearly long to see one another again. As the Lord’s coming draws near, every opportunity to gather becomes increasingly precious. Living now in Northern California, it is no longer as easy as before to meet the saints from different localities at any time.

Brother Chow, rest in peace. The Lord will surely remember you and your family.
Jesus is Lord. Christ is victor.

Owen (Owen David) Lin
Written in San Lorenzo, Northern California

A Shepherd Who Prayed in Revelation
— In Remembrance of Brother John Chow

On June 28, 2025, my wife and I, along with two brothers from mainland China, went to visit Brother John Chow. We asked him what the Lord had been unveiling to him in his recent prayers. He responded with weight and urgency: “We can’t wait any longer!”

He went on to say that when Brother Lee began to take the God-ordained way between 1984 and 1989, there was still some waiting. But by 1992, when the fellowship concerning the vital groups began, there was no more waiting. Because it had become a matter of life or death—an urgent need in God’s economy! Even if only one believer is desperate and absolute before the Lord, he can become a vital person and produce a vital group. Brother Chow repeated with burden: “We can’t wait any longer!”

At that moment, we recalled something Brother Andrew Yu shared in June 2020:

“I received a phone call from Brother John Chow that deeply touched me. I’ve known him since I was a child—he shepherded me in the children’s meeting. He’s ten years older than I am.

This time, he didn’t call to hear anything from me; he called because he had a burden to release. He told me how the Lord had been powerfully stirring him within. He had read the letter I wrote on ‘re-evaluation,’ and while praying afterward, he realized: we can no longer go on as before.

He kept repeating, ‘We can’t go on like this anymore, we can’t go on like this anymore.’ He was weeping, unable to speak clearly. In all the years I’ve known him, I had never seen him so desperate. Then he said, ‘We cannot go on like this. The Lord is coming soon!’”

When we heard Brother Chow again declare, “We can’t wait any longer,” we were deeply shaken within. We were freshly reminded that the vital groups must be practiced, and the organic building up of the Body must be consummated —there is no time to delay! We shared some testimonies from the churches about the practice of the vital groups. He was filled with joy upon hearing them. Right away, we entered into a desperate and releasing prayer together. Brother Chow’s prayer was always deep, revealing, and weighty. It truly issued from the depth of his mingled spirit, and we sensed it was from the throne.

“Therefore, even as the Holy Spirit says,  “Today if you hear His voice……But exhort one another each day, as long as it is called “today,” lest any one of you be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.(Hebrew 3:7-13)

Half a year later, on December 20, 2025, my wife and I went again with some saints from Irvine to visit Brother Chow. By that time, he could no longer get out of bed to meet us in the living room, so we went to his bedside. When he saw us, a smile appeared on his face, though he was already quite weak in speech. We asked him, “Brother Chow, do you have current revelations and burdens from the Lord through your prayers ?” Slowly but clearly, he answered: “We must endeavor. No more dragging our feet. We must be absolute. One bringing one!”

Amen—“We must endeavor with all our being!” Seeing his weakness in speaking, we didn’t dare to speak further. Instead, we turned to pray. Praise the Lord—in prayer, he was no longer hindered. He flowed freely in spirit, living water gushed forth, and the Spirit was truly upon him.

“For which also I labor, struggling according to His operation which operates in me in power.”(Col. 1:29 )

Reflecting on our years of fellowship with Brother Chow, we are filled with thanksgiving. The Lord had placed among us a shepherd who prayed in revelation. In Irvine, he shepherded us. In Shanghai, he visited us. In Singapore, he supported us steadfastly.

I remember once in Shanghai, he and Sister Chow came to visit my apartment. After the meeting had ended, he sat with me in fellowship. When I turned to look, I saw Sister Chow quietly helping clean the kitchen and wash the dishes. They were truly a one-souled couple—humanly cherishing and divinely nourishing.

On another occasion, when they visited again, the house was filled with saints. He asked us to count how many people were present. The brothers counted and gave him the number. He said, “You miscounted—you’re missing one person.” The brothers replied that they had counted twice and got the same number. Looking around slowly, he said, “You didn’t count the Lord Jesus. If He is not here, what are we doing here?” We were all deeply sobered.

Amen! If the Lord is not among us, what are we doing here? If we are not in His present move—a move that “We can’t wait any longer” and “We must endeavor with all our being ”—what are we missing?

Lord, now that Brother Chow is no longer with us, what shall we do? Oh Lord, What You have taken away, may You make up in double portion by Your presence!

Todd and Jenny Qian
February 2026

一位在启示中祷告的牧人

——追念周嘉羽弟兄

2025年6月28日，我们夫妇与大陆两位弟兄一同去看望周嘉羽弟兄。我们问他最近在祷告中有哪些启示。他语气坚定地说：“不能等了！”——李弟兄在1984至1989年走神命定之路时，他是等的；但到1992年开始交通“活力排”，他就不再等了！因为这是生死攸关、迫切的需要！甚至只要有一个人在主面前迫切，就可以操练成为活力人，产生活力排。弟兄一再强调：“不能等了！”

此时，我们想起2020年6月，Andrew Yu 弟兄曾说：“我最近接到周嘉羽弟兄的电话，里面很受感动；我跟他很熟，我还是儿童聚会时，他带我的。他比我年长十岁。那天他打电话来，他不是来听我讲什么，而是要把他里面的感觉讲出来。他说：最近主在他里面搅动他，很厉害、很厉害。看了那封‘重新估价’的信之后，祷告中觉得——不能再像过去那样了。他反复讲，不能再像过去那样了，讲到泣不成声，咽不下去，讲不下去。我认识他一辈子，从未见他那么激动。他说，不能这样下去了，主快来了！”

我们听到周弟兄再次说出“不能等了”，里面甚是震撼。我们深深感受到：要操练活力排，完成身体生机的建造，真的不能等了！接着我们便分享了一些召会中操练活力排的见证，他听了非常高兴。然后我们一同迫切地祷告！周弟兄的祷告，总是那样深沉、有启示、有负担；真是从灵的深处，从宝座而来！

“所以，正如圣灵所说的，“你们今日若听见祂的声音，…总要趁着还有称为“今日”的时候，天天彼此相劝，免得你们中间有人被罪迷惑，心就刚硬了。”（来3:7-13）

半年后，到了2025年12月20日，我和我姊妹与尔湾的圣徒们再去看望他，他已不能到客厅见我们了。我们来到他床边，他见到我们，脸上露出笑容，虽然说话已较吃力。我们问他最近祷告中有什么负担，他艰难却坚定地说：“要竭力，不能拖拖拉拉！要竭力，一个带一个！”我们都应声说：“阿们！要竭力！”我们见他说话吃力，便不多言，只是同他一起祷告——奇妙的是，祷告时他一点都不吃力，发表畅通无阻，活水涌流，神的灵真是在他身上！

“弟兄们，我不是以为自己已经取得了，我只有一件事，就是忘记背后，努力面前的，向着标竿竭力追求，要得神在基督耶稣里，召我向上去得的奖赏。所以我们凡是长成的人，都要思念这事；你们若思念任何别的事，神也必将这事启示你们。”（腓3:13-15）

想起与周弟兄交通的种种情景，我们满了感谢与赞美——主将一位在启示中祷告的牧人放在我们中间！在尔湾，他牧养我们；到上海，他来看望我们；在新加坡，他一直扶持我们。

记得有一次在上海，他和周师母来我公寓看望我。我们刚结束聚会，他与我坐着交通，我转头一看，周师母在厨房里帮我洗碗、整理。他们夫妇真是同心合意，一边人性顾惜，一边神性喂养。

还有一次他们来上海，家中聚集许多圣徒。他叫我们数人数，弟兄们数完后报给他。他却说：“你们数错了，少了一位。”弟兄说我们数了两遍都一样。他望着大家，慢慢地说：“你们少数了主耶稣！如果祂不在，我们在这里干什么？”众人都被震撼了！

阿们！如果主不在我们中间，我们在这里干什么？ 如果我们不在祂现今“不能再等了”“要竭力”的行动中，我们又错过了什么？主啊，如今周弟兄不在我们身边了，我们该怎么办？主，愿你取去的，加倍地用你的同在来补满！

Todd and Jenny Qian
2026年2月
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Brother John Chow has been a close family friend to us for three generations — from my father to my children — spanning more than fifty years. Our relationship encompassed work, family, and, most significantly, our relationship in the Lord.

He was the first person to preach the gospel to me in 1981 while I was studying at university in Los Angeles. I was eventually baptised in 1992 in a denomination. In 1994, he brought me to the Lord’s Recovery, and that same year I attended the summer training in Anaheim. I have many fond memories of him.

My impression of Brother Chow is as follows:

1. He was a man who lived before God at all times — one who feared God and lived continually under His judgment. He often spoke of how one could face God at the judgment seat. He lived watchfully, with a deep sense of accountability before the Lord.

2. He was truly a man of prayer. He did not speak much about doctrine, but he brought everything to the Lord in prayer.

3. He cared deeply for others, especially the saints in the church life. He was always ready to render help to those in need.

4. He was faithful to the end. From the very first time he spoke to me about the Bible, his faith was strong. He encouraged the saints to love the Lord not with sweet or flattering words, but by speaking the truth for the Lord’s sake. He lived a genuine God-man life and was a pattern to all of us.

Because of Brother Chow’s pattern, the Lord has blessed his descendants by keeping them all in the church life, where they continue to serve actively.

Brother Chow has been a great blessing to me and to my family. Because of him, my whole family is now in the Lord’s Recovery. He is dearly missed, and we will surely see him again on that day at the Lord’s return.

God works in mysterious ways. In one winter trailing or summer training in Anaheim, we were both locked out of the door because we were late for a few minutes. So we had to sit outside and wait the door open for next session. We were a little frustrated as the traffic on that day was very bad. He told me he could come in if he really wanted to come in. But we started talking so he did not try to call anyone for help. At this moment, Brother John started to ask me if I was married. He and brother Law in Maryland knew each other. There is a sister who is single in the Church in Beltsville. They have been in talk to find a brother for her. He did not know me well before that but we had to sit there talking for hours. Eventually we got acquainted with each other. So he and brother Law introduced us to know each other. We got married later and have one precious daughter later. I had the privilege to know brother John and got cared by him during my years in the Church in Los Angeles. He often called me to check on me and asked me to send greetings brother Law as well when I moved to Maryland. God worked through him to help our family. I am forever grateful for his love in Christ. May brother John rest in peace. I pray God's blessing on all his families. Sean

In Loving Memory of Brother Chow

It is with a heart full of both sorrow and deep thankfulness that I remember our dear Brother Chow. The news of his passing has left a profound sense of loss, yet his life remains a shining testimony of the Lord’s love and care flowing through a faithful brother.

I hold dear the memory of meeting him in Singapore in April 2017. Though it was a brief business trip, Brother Chow, along with his Sister and Brother Faren, went out of their way to meet with us, Sister Kira and myself, little sisters from Hong Kong. That gesture meant so much. It reminded me of the first time I met him, when he invited all the young people for lunch after the Lord’s Day meeting. His care wasn’t in grand speeches—he was a brother who didn’t speak too much—but in his personal, quiet interactions, you felt a deep and genuine love. He had a unique way of making each one feel remembered and precious.

This was his constant character. Even after I returned to Hong Kong, he would care for my work, my marriage, and my church life. He remembered everyone. Brother Faren also shared how Brother Chow would call him all the time, with such personal care and love. Brother Chow was a living example before us—a true brother, full of love, delight, and the preciousness of Christ.

His life vividly brings to mind the Word of God:

Romans 12:10 says, “Love one another warmly in brotherly love; take the lead in showing honor one to another.”
Brother Chow truly took the lead in showing honor, especially to the younger ones, warming our hearts with his brotherly love.

2 Corinthians 1:3-4 speaks of the “Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction that we may be able to comfort those who are in every affliction.”
Brother Chow was a channel of this divine comfort. His caring calls and thoughtful lunches were manifestations of the comfort he himself had received from Christ.

1 Thessalonians 4:13-14, 17-18 encourages us, “But we do not want you to be ignorant, brothers, concerning those who are sleeping, that you would not sorrow even as the rest who have no hope… Then we who are living, who are left remaining, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air; and thus we will be always with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words.”

While we sorrow, we do not sorrow as those without hope. Our comfort is that Brother Chow is now with the Lord, whom he loved and served so faithfully. And we have the blessed hope that we will be caught up together with him to be forever with the Lord.

Brother Chow was a great pattern to us all—a faithful brother whose life was a living portrait of Christ’s selfless and personal love. His memory is a treasure and his example a lasting encouragement.

May the Lord comfort his family and all of us who miss him dearly. We look to the day we will meet again in the joy of our Lord’s presence.

With love and remembrance,
Sapphire Wang
[A little sister from Hong Kong

I recall fondly of John & Helen’s shepherding my family in Singapore.
He always encouraged us to seek and pray to the Lord. I will miss his smile and warmth presence.
Thank You Lord for such a pattern in the Body! Amen.

Photo: John and Helen with the saints from Singapore

Our beloved Brother John Chow has entered into the presence of the Lord, and our hearts are filled with both gratitude and sorrow.

In 2016, at the Singapore Botanic Gardens, God used Brother Chow and Sister Chow to sow seeds of love and the Gospel deeply into my heart. Although I had been a believer for ten years, it was through Brother Chow—through his gentleness, faithfulness, and joy—that I truly saw the grace and light of the Word made flesh.

Throughout the years, he was my spiritual mentor and a fatherly figure. He guided me with truth when I was lost and upheld me in prayer when I was weak. My husband and I were especially blessed by his introduction, his ongoing shepherding, and his faithful prayers for our marriage and family. His pastoral heart even led him to journey afar to counsel us and to share the Gospel with my loved ones—a testament to his deep, shepherd-like love.

To me, Brother Chow was not only a brother in Christ but also a wise, loving, and sacrificial father figure. His life was a living testimony of the Gospel. “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” (2 Timothy 4:7) Now, he rests in the arms of our Lord, free from earthly toil, abiding in eternal peace and joy.

Rinoa Liu & Kevin Fang

January 15, 2026

Dear Brother Chow’s family,

We are sorry to hear that brother Chow went to be with the Lord last Monday. We really miss him and his shepherding care for us throughout these years. We still remember Brother Chow’s first visit to Timothy at the brother’s house in Mongkok, Kowloon, in 1993. There was turmoil in the church in Hong Kong. Through brother Chow and the other brothers’ faithful service, the church there was strengthened and was saved from the turmoil. We treasure the time we spent serving with Brother and Sister Chow in establishing the meeting hall in Wanchai, Hong Kong, in 1995. We have to testify that the Lord blessed the church in many ways through our brother’s service in those years. By the Lord’s arrangement, we had a chance to see him and have fellowship with him in August 2022. He was so burdened to pray for the saints in the Recovery to be vital for the Lord’s coming. We really miss him and take him as our pattern in serving the Lord.
May the Lord comfort you all and be strengthened to continue our brother’s desire for the building of the Body of Christ.
Your members in the Lord,

Timothy & Elaine Yeung

周弟兄與我的關係是相對特殊的，我與他兒子Simeon 是連襟，Simeon的太太是我太太的姊姊。我們雖是姻親關係，但更寶貴的是他是曾經隔海牧養過我的老弟兄。他實在是愛主愛召會的榜樣，也是一個禱告的人，一生向著基督與召會這標竿竭力追求的人。
我原來與周弟兄也沒什麼機會來往交通，他在多地服事，我則在台灣新竹市召會過召會生活。2018年國際華語特會在台灣舉行，周弟兄夫婦及女兒Lina、女婿Sydney來參加，得知召會安排的行程中他們會訪問新竹市召會，我們便爭取接待他們兩天。這兩日的相處，周弟兄得知我工作忙碌，他非常關心我的光景，便興起負擔陪我禱告。返回星加坡後他跟我約時間每週線上禱告一次，即便有時我因工作繁忙拖的很晚，他也配合我的時間，在彼岸（大多在星加坡，有時在爾灣）等候，然後陪我禱告交通，關心我的工作及健康。感謝讚美主差派周弟兄這樣的牧養我，對我影響深遠，實在是主奇妙的恩典！
後面幾年他回到爾灣，我們每次去南加一定會去拜訪他，他見到我總是提及禱告的重要，也提及作活力排的重要。近年來他因身體健康緣故不常出門，但他線上聚會不斷、線上與弟兄們禱告不斷、對周師母及兒孫的關愛不斷，這些是我們在最後這些年看到的周弟兄。如希伯來十二章1節所說，『⋯我們有這許多的見證人，如同雲彩圍繞我們⋯』周弟兄就是這樣一位一生愛家人、愛召會、愛主耶穌基督的忠信的見證人！

Brother Chow’s relationship with me is somewhat special. His son Simeon and I are in-laws as Simeon's wife Merlene is my wife Cheryl’s sister. Although we are in-laws, what is more precious is that he was the elder brother who had shepherded me across the ocean. He was a pattern of loving the Lord and the Church. He was also a person who prayed unceasingly and had pursued toward the goal of Christ and the Church all his life.

Originally, I did not have much opportunity to fellowship with Brother Chow. He served in many places, and I am in the Church in Hsinchu City, Taiwan. The 2018 International Chinese Conference was held in Taiwan, Brother Chow and his wife Helen, daughter Lina, and son-in-law Sydney came to attend. We learned that they would be visiting the Church in Hsinchu City, so we grasped the opportunity to host them for two days. During those two days of fellowship, Brother Chow learned that I was very busy with work, so he had the burden to shepherd me by praying with me. After returning to Singapore, he made arrangements to pray with me online once a week. Even though sometimes I was late because of my work schedule, he would accommodate me to pray and fellowship with me no matter how late it would be from across the ocean (mostly in Singapore, sometimes in Irvine). He cared about my career and health, so he had prayed with me concerning my function in the church. Praise the Lord for sending Brother Chow to shepherd me, which has made a profound impact on me. It is really the wonderful grace of the Lord!

After Brother Chow returned to Irvine, we visited him whenever we went to Southern California. He always reminded us the importance of prayer and vital group. In recent years, he mostly stayed home due to his declining health, but he kept fellowshipping and praying with brothers either at home or online, caring for his beloved wife, and prayed for his children and grandchildren, this was the brother Chow I had witnessed in his late years. As Hebrews 12:1 says, "...having so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us..." Brother Chow was truly a faithful witness of Jesus Christ as he loved his family, the church, and the Lord Jesus Christ all his life to the end.

In 2009, my wife and I moved to Heidelberg. At that time, there were only a handful of student saints there. Although we were exercising to practice the church life, we were young and inexperienced and in great need of shepherding.
Praise the Lord! Brother John and Sister Helen came to visit us during that period. After learning of our situation, Brother John led us to preach the gospel and to visit the new ones. Very soon, a brother was saved and baptized in our bathtub. From that time on, Brother John and Sister Helen began to visit us from time to time.
Brother John not only helped us to practice the church life but also guided us into the enjoyment of the riches of the Ministry. He often shared with us his recent reading of the Ministry, and he even helped us obtain many Ministry books, turning our living room into a small library. Through his faithful shepherding, some years later a young brother who had joined the church life in Heidelberg went on to FTTA after completing his PhD at Heidelberg University.
Besides Heidelberg, Brother John and Sister Helen also accompanied us in visiting the saints in the Stuttgart and Tübingen areas. Their rich experiences in the church life and in His word brought us into a deeper and higher enjoyment of the Lord. Without their help, we couldn’t have such a blessed church life in Heidelberg. Their pattern of living and serving became a great help and a lasting example to us. Even after we later moved to another city, Brother John continued to keep in contact with me and faithfully encouraged me to practice the church life wherever we were in Germany.
I thank the Lord for our brother’s faithful service and support for His move in Germany. I also thank the Lord that, in my younger years, I was allowed to meet such a precious pattern, one that has deeply encouraged me to love Him and to serve Him.
Amen

Matthew 12:33b says: "...for by the fruit the tree is known." My interaction with brother John ("Uncle John" to me) was firstly mainly because his daughter Lina married my oldest brother Sydney and therefore I saw him at family events. However, over time I have gotten to know all the family well. It is such a testimony that all his children not only love the Lord so much, but faithfully serve the Lord with their person in the church life day by day. What wonderful fruit that must have taken after him and Auntie Helen as their pattern.
I also have memories of his faithfulness to the Lord. At a Thanksgiving dinner, I remember he led us all to sing a hymn together. He always had strong prayer. Others in Los Angeles have told me about such care they received from him and what service carried out when they were there. Whenever I greeted him, he always gave me a warm smile.
I will miss seeing him at family events now.
I am sorry that Edison and I will not be there but we here in Boston definitely stand with all of you in the Body.

Dear Family of Brother John Chow,

With deep sadness, we mourn the passing of our dear Brother John Chow, who has returned to the Lord. Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. May you find comfort in the love and memories shared.

Since the Lord led us from Taiwan to Hong Kong in 1996, my wife and I have been richly blessed through our friendship with Brother Chow and Sister Helen. Brother Chow was a faithful brother, wholeheartedly loving the Lord, His church, and all the saints.

In the press of our daily lives—amid work and family cares—Brother Chow discerned when we might drift from sweet fellowship with the Lord. With tender persistence, he would exhort us: "Brother, always rely on the Lord and look to Him alone. At the very least, spend more than 15 minutes each day in prayerful communion with Him!" Through the Lord, He showered us with life and strength—a wondrous blend of brotherly care and divine supply that deeply touched our spirits. We are forever grateful.

On January 16, 2023, during a business trip to Los Angeles, the Lord opened the way for a special visit. Over a heartfelt lunch, we prayed together for the year ahead. I still treasure his prayer: "Thank You, Lord! May this new year be filled with hope, steps of faith forward, and continual abiding in You—for You are the true Vine, and we are the branches; You will surely cause us to bear much fruit" (John 15:5).

From Taiwan, as we rejoice in his entering the Lord's rest, we cherish his selfless ministry forever—above all, his living pattern of loving the Lord, the saints, and the gospel.

Dear family members of Brother John Chow,
It is with a heavy heart and deep sorrow that we have learned of the passing of our dear brother John Chow. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all during this time of grief.
The memories we treasure of brother Chow—his love for the Lord and for the church in Hong Kong, his tender and loving care for the saints among us, his fighting spirit for the Lord's interest and testimony during the time of turmoil in Hong Kong in the
1990s, and his faithful, tireless labor with the brothers—will remain a lasting treasure in our hearts. We deeply believe that the Lord remembers all that our brother poured
out for the church in Hong Kong during the years he was with us, and that He will honor and reward him in that day.
We find comfort in the blessed hope of the resurrection, knowing that brother Chow, “having served his own generation by the counsel of God, did indeed fall asleep” (Acts. 13:36). “Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on. Yes, says the
Spirit, that they may rest from their labors; for their works follow with them” (Rev.14:13). We hold fast to the promise of being reunited with our brother in the coming glory of the Lord.
Please know that we are remembering you constantly in our prayers. May our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and God our Father, who has loved us and given us eternal
comfort and good hope in grace, comfort your hearts and establish you all.
The elders of the church in Hong Kong

Our family know brother John's family for quite some time now. He and his wife Helen, have shown warmth and hospitality when we first arrived in the US. May he find much rest with the Lord now, his labor has not been in vain.

"Remember the ones leading you, who have spoken to you the word of God; and considering the issue of their manner of life, imitate their faith." (Heb. 13:7)

Brother John was an elder at the Church in Hong Kong when I was a college student there. He loved the young college students and his heart was altogether for the gospel. After visiting the churches and many sister’s houses at various universities in Taiwan, I was inspired to also live in a sister’s house as a freshman at HKU. The problem, however, was that there wasn’t one. Brother John, upon listening to my desire to start a sister’s house at HKU, personally found a place and financially sponsored this endeavor. He even played the landlord to persuade my parents (who were unbelievers) to let me live there. I’m forever grateful for his pattern in loving the Lord and the saints and his heart for the gospel.