A Message from the Board of Directors(Rev. Dr. Julian Wong – Board Chair)
Honor the Legacy, Explore the Future
In last year’s 2023 annual report, I mentioned an acronym “H.E.”, and it has three meanings.
1) “H.E.” stands for our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
SOBEM will continue to follow the mission entrusted to us by the Lord faithfully – Global Media Mission. We will always seek and trust in His power to share the gospel in various places and with different media.
2) The “H” in “H.E.” stands for Honor the Legacy.
By the grace of God, SOBEM has done many good things in the past 37 years and God has given us a solid foundation and a great tradition. SOBEM will continue to do what we did best in the past and will improve and renew along the way.
3) The “E: in “H.E.” stands for Explore the Future.
Entering in our 38th year, SOBEM will continue to develop new ways to share the gospel to different generations through different media. Though many things changed, the gospel remains unchanged. We trust in the Lord to experience breakthroughs and explore the future together.
For SOBEM, 2024 is a year to Rejoice, Reflect, Request and Renew in the Lord.
Annual Fundraising Events
The 37th Annual Thanksgiving & Vision Sharing Banquet 2024
Date: April 6th (Saturday) 6pm at the Casa Deluz Banquet Hall.
Theme: “Facing the challenges of this generation and staying at the forefront of the gospel”.
Sharing Guest Speakers: Ivy So and Andrew Ling.
With God’s provide, the estimated net revenue from the banquets in Toronto and Vancouver is approximately about 10.2% of the 2024 operating budget.
Telethon 2024
Date: November 16 and 17 (Saturday and Sunday).
A total of approximately $69,000 was raised, accounting for approximately 4% of the annual budget. In gratitude, Sobem wishes to acknowledge the donations received from supporters. We also extend our heartfelt thanks to our volunteers who took part in answering telephone calls during the Telethon. It is all by God’s grace that they dedicated their time serving the Lord as well as brothers/sisters.
Special Outreach Activities
Concerts for Life Sharing – “A little more love at home – Journey of Awaken Souls” & Gospel Sunday Service
Guests: Ivy So and Andrew Ling
Including the 8 converts from Vancouver, there were a total of 24 individuals accepted Christ as their Savior at the four evangelistic meetings and two Gospel Sundays in Toronto and Vancouver.
Praise the Lord, during the April evangelistic meetings in Toronto and Vancouver, we witnessed the work of God’s Holy Spirit moving among us. As Pastor Stephen Lam, who performed the Benediction at the Toronto Thanksgiving Banquet, remarked: “This gathering is full of the movement of the Holy Spirit, like a revival meeting, which is rare in recent years.”
“Sobem LIVE – Real People, Real Story” Events
Speakers: Vincent Fok / So Han Shum
LifeCare Training﹕
- The 12th LifeCare Training Course was held from September 10th to November 26th, both in
person and online. A total of 16 trainees from Toronto, Ottawa, Vancouver, and Calgary participated. Through the earnest and sincere teaching by different speakers from various professional fields, trainees not only grew in knowledge, but also learned from the testimonies of their lives on how to practice God’s love. The trainees benefited a lot and were inspired to serve. - During the three-month practicum from December 2024 to February 2025, they will have the opportunity to practice the skills learned from the training sessions. The graduation ceremony will be held on February 25, 2025. Praise the Lord, with trainees participated from different regions has further strengthened the coordination with the LifeCare Givers in other regions, which in turn enhances the effective support to the Hotline service in different places with different time zones around the world.
LifeCare Meetings﹕
- LifeCare volunteers participated in the “Sobem LIVE – Real Story” gathering co-organized with Milliken Christian Community Church on May 25 and St. Christopher’s Anglican Church (Richmond Hill) on June 8. At the booths set up for the events, they promoted SOBEM’s ministries, highlighting the LifeCare ministry and its effectiveness in supporting the community.
- On July 6 and 27, a group of LifeCare volunteers got together for dim sum teatime. It was an opportunity for them to support each other in Christ and share God’s grace as they serve in the ministry.
- On December 29th, the team leaders gathered for dim sum teatime wherein they recalled how God has been gracious to them in the past year while looking forward to the development of the ministry in the coming year.
LifeCare web platform﹕
- There is a new exclusive LifeCare web platform (lifecare.sobem.org) that organizes and categorizes articles on Facebook’s “Amazing Love Face Book Column”, making it easier for individuals to search for suitable articles and forward positive and encouraging messages to friends around them. The column contains:
- “Spiritual Renewal” – how to deal with emotions and enhance harmony in interpersonal relationships;
- “Family Chapter” Love – husband and wife relationship;
- “Spiritual Breakthrough” – how to enhance the relationship between God and you and personal spiritual growth;
- “The World Issues” – interprets past and present world issues from a “faith” perspective;
- “Music Therapy” – music is a good medicine; it heals wounded hearts;
- “Health” – Other than strengthening your body with a balanced diet and exercise; a healthy spiritual life is the most important.
- “Guest Essay” series such as: “Love lessons from Tsui”, “Mainstream”, “Living in the moment as a life mission – Carpe Diem”.
- There is also a prayer column area, which provides a platform for individuals to post their prayer requests, gathering the power of collective prayer to lift each other up. It also provides SOBEM’s local LifeCare hotline in different areas so people from different regions can call and be cared for.
“LifeCare Hotline” Global Summary
| Classification of calls served by LifeCare Team | Canada | HK/China | Others (USA, China & EU) |
Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | ||||
| Counselling | 534 | 1,108 | 462 | 2,104 | 2,302 |
| Faith Seeking | 315 | 317 | 55 | 687 | 745 |
| Church Referral | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Conversion | 1 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 4 |
| Others (donations, inquiries, program response, email) | 30 | 14 | 10 | 54 | 38 |
| Follow Up | 2 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 3 |
| Total | 882 | 1,442 | 529 | 2,853 | 3,095 |
| LifeCare’s Hotline Monthly Report | |||||
| Listened to Pre-recorded LifeCare Track Messages | 503 | 788 | 190 | 1,481 | 2,730 |
LifeCare web platform
- There is a new exclusive LifeCare web platform (lifecare.sobem.org) that organizes and categorizes articles on Facebook’s “Amazing Love Face Book Column”, making it easier for individuals to search for suitable articles and forward positive and encouraging messages to friends around them. The column contains:
- “Spiritual Renewal” – how to deal with emotions and enhance harmony in interpersonal relationships;
- “Family Chapter” Love – husband and wife relationship;
- “Spiritual Breakthrough” – how to enhance the relationship between God and you and personal spiritual growth;
- “The World Issues” – interprets past and present world issues from a “faith” perspective;
- “Music Therapy” – music is a good medicine; it heals wounded hearts;
- “Health” – Other than strengthening your body with a balanced diet and exercise; a healthy spiritual life is the most important.
- “Guest Essay” series such as: “Love lessons from Tsui”, “Mainstream”, “Living in the moment as a life mission – Carpe Diem”.
- There is also a prayer forum, which provides a platform for individuals to post their prayer requests, gathering the power of collective prayer to lift each other up. It also provides SOBEM’s local LifeCare hotline in different areas so people from different regions can call and be cared for.
My Song, My Story
In 2024, SOBEM joined hands with Grace Melodia to launch “My Song, My Story” – an inspiring series that creates a meaningful connection between music, personal stories and faith. In every video, the singer or songwriter share about the highs and lows on life journey and how the Christian faith has become their support and strength in times of hardship.
My Song, My Story
In 2024, SOBEM joined hands with Grace Melodia to launch “My Song, My Story” – an inspiring series that creates a meaningful connection between music, personal stories and faith. In every video, the singer or songwriter share about the highs and lows on life journey and how the Christian faith has become their support and strength in times of hardship.
One minute inspiring animated story
Life really is like a classroom where we’re constantly learning, and it’s all about applying what we understand. It’s one thing to know the truth, but it’s the act of living it out that makes the difference. That’s where the real transformation happens— got it and do it, when we take what we’ve learned and use it to move forward on the journey of life.
1-min Short
An impactful type of testimonial video is designed to deliver a powerful message in just one minute. It has various themes, is short and captivating, renews life, and touches people’s hearts! Watch, like and share on the SOBEM social media platforms.
1-min Short
An impactful type of testimonial video is designed to deliver a powerful message in just one minute. It has various themes, is short and captivating, renews life, and touches people’s hearts! Watch, like and share on the SOBEM social media platforms.
The radio programs of SOBEM are diverse in genre with life stories of guests, mini-series, current issues and festival specials.
Mini-series
- “Sex Education for children” – sharing the importance of this issue with the parents, the knowledge, ways to talk , prevent sexual assault, distinguish pornographic information and sexual culture. Speaker: Rev. Jonathan CHU
- “Metaverse” – knowledge sharing on this area and its impact to our daily lives. Speaker: Dr. Edwin LEE
- “Life on Calling” – Sharing mission stories and its positive impact to our society. Resources were provided by Gospel Operation International.
- “Spiritual Warfare” II – Sharing knowledge on spiritual realm to protect and to help people with troubles from it. Speaker: Rev. Dr. Timothy CHIU
- “Words from Heaven” – Bringing out biblical truths from our daily life. Speaker: Rev. Steve TRINH
音樂人 - 陳芳榮博士
Life Stories
40 guests from around 20 different sectors including patients, carers, MPs, musicians, businessperson, artists, media people, senior, professionals, administrators, pastors, missionaries and Christian organization / seminary co-workers shared their life experiences in growing up, career/ministry, family, migration, faith, mission, facing difficulties…etc.
Life Stories
40 guests from around 20 different sectors including patients, carers, MPs, musicians, businessperson, artists, media people, senior, professionals, administrators, pastors, missionaries and Christian organization / seminary co-workers shared their life experiences in growing up, career/ministry, family, migration, faith, mission, facing difficulties…etc.
- 音樂人 - 陳芳榮博士
Current Issues
Through the speakers, the beliefs of Christianity and faith were shared and responded to on a specific topic or issue.
- New Immigrants III – Shared by: Billy LAW, Jessica LEE, Amy CHOW and Jimmy LAW
- The Myth of Life and Death (To reflect life and death from a film) – Speaker: Rev. Dr. Kin Yip LOUIE, Dr. Michael CHAN
父親節 2 信靠的能力 - 分享 李盛林牧師
Holiday Specials
From the sharing in these programs, we can better understand the meaning of its specific celebration and value.
- Easter 1: Promised Hope – Sharing: Grace Melodia members, Rev. Johnathan CHU
- Easter 2: The Grace of the Lord’s Resurrection – Sharing: Rev. Dr. Harding NG
- Mother’s Day: A story of Mother and Son – Sharing: Mary CHAN, Pastor Don CHU
- Father’s Day 1: Heavenly Father is in Control – Sharing: Rev. Dr. Derek LI
- Father’s Day 2: Power from Trust – Sharing: Rev. Dr. Derek LI
- Christmas: Warm Light of Winter Night – This radio drama was scripted and performed by Fountain Theatre in Vancouver, Rev. Kenneth LO shared the message of response.
Holiday Specials
From the sharing in these programs, we can better understand the meaning of its specific celebration and value.
- Easter 1: Promised Hope – Sharing: Grace Melodia members, Rev. Johnathan CHU
- Easter 2: The Grace of the Lord’s Resurrection – Sharing: Rev. Dr. Harding NG
- Mother’s Day: A story of Mother and Son – Sharing: Mary CHAN, Pastor Don CHU
- Father’s Day 1: Heavenly Father is in Control – Sharing: Rev. Dr. Derek LI
- Father’s Day 2: Power from Trust – Sharing: Rev. Dr. Derek LI
- Christmas: Warm Light of Winter Night – This radio drama was scripted and performed by Fountain Theatre in Vancouver, Rev. Kenneth LO shared the message of response.
- 父親節 2 信靠的能力 - 分享 李盛林牧師
Developments 2025
Expanding our listening platform:
- Podcasts
- AM1320 (Vancouver) The Voice of Vancouver’s Chinese community
Mini-series:
- Faith Exploration – Speaker: Pastor Billy PANG, MPP
- Family Education – Rev. Amy YU
- Creation Care – Creation Care 120 members
- Art and Christianity – Rev. Dr. Joyce CHAN… etc.
May God lead us in line with His will, bringing more people to this precious gospel.
“The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few!” How will you response to the Lord’s calling?
SOBEM strives to produce gospel videos, and we urge you to spread them around! We sincerely invite every believer to become SOBEM’s gospel partner, to subscribe or to follow each of every SOBEM social media account, watch the videos there regularly and share them with others. Let us join our hands to proclaim the good news of kingdom to all the towns and villages, and to fish for people in the cyberspace!
Audience Feedbacks
《主能夠》電視見證 TV1810
This a Very touching and encouraging testimony, nothing is impossible for God, believe in Him he will lead your way. May God bless Zhenyi richly!
《秀麗人生》電視見證 TV1811
Let us walk with God step by step, moment by moment, day by day. Amen!
We give thanks to God for His faithfulness as we are marking SOBEM USA’s 26th anniversary. For the year 2024, we have seen how God has guided our ministry and His richly provision:
- Video Production – in 2024, we have produced 40 impactful episodes which provide rich resources for gospel testimony stories, bringing encouragement to the Chinese community, and a medium for evangelism and mission workshops.
- Broadcast and Online Growth – This year we have adjusted TV broadcasting through 5 TV networks across 15 time slots. We are excited that our YouTube channel (@sobem-usa) subscribers have increased from 9,700 at the end of 2023, to 56,000 in 1 year. The social media platform has provided a broad reach to viewers in the US and global.
- Radio Outreach: we have also added weekly 30-second prime time radio spots on a popular local station to share Gospel messages to the diverse Chinese communities.
- 4. English Ministry (As I Am): Through platforms like Instagram and Facebook, As I Am continues to thrive, creating a space for exploring faith and identity within a multicultural, Asian American context.
- Team and Financial Support – This year’s growth was made possible by our dedicated team of six staff, plus contractors and volunteers, along with the faithful support of partner churches and friends. Finance: this year our total expenses is $700,000 and the income is $680,0000 resulting in a small deficit of $20,000.
We thank God for His rich provision, and many partners in Christ to support in prayer and in giving. May we continue to serve Him in spreading the Gospel that transforms lives.
Brand new platform
The Sobem Hong Kong team has experienced routine operations disrupted by the epidemic, and has witnessed the migration of believers and the rapid development of many new and diverse media platforms in recent years. Driven by scientific and technological progress, social media and mobile communications have been dominant, and combined with the advantages of atmospheric radio waves, they have created a new generation of communication models style; once again to expand contact with different people with faith, deepen and extend the ministry, and spread the power of the gospel!
Highlights of our HK ministries:
- Television: “Showers of Blessing” TV programme continues to be broadcasted on TVB Pearl and ViuTVsix channels with both Cantonese and Mandarin audio options and Chinese subtitles. Episodes are also available on-demand through TVB’s myTV SUPER streaming platform. Additionally, condensed versions of “Showers of Blessing” are shown on 2 Chinese TV Channels which is Hoy TV Channel 77 and Phoenix TV Hong Kong channell 85 respectively.
- Radio: “Sobem Sojourner” radio show continues to air on Metro Finance FM104 every Saturday, with over 620 guests sharing their testimonies with the audience.
- Digital media: We utilize a variety of platforms to broadcast SOBEM programming, including through our mobile app, website, YouTube channel, Facebook page, Tencent and Youku Video channel, and other online services.
- Telephone hotline: Through 22 years of operation, the SOBEM hotline has engaged with over 120,000 callers, with over 500 callers dedicating their lives to Christ.
- Public transport: We continue to air condensed versions of “Showers of Blessing” on MTR trains and platform TV screens. Also, we have covered the decals of minibuses with uplifting phrases on selected routes that served our public hospitals and Liantang Port that encouraging Hong Kong residents as they pass by.
- External TV Broadcast Ministry: Condensed versions of our “Showers of Blessing” TV programme continue to broadcast in the lobby TV of 600 commercial and 300 residential buildings. Additionally, short clips from “Showers of Blessing” are shown on 250 TV screens in various restaurants and bars across Hong Kong.
- Print Media: We continue to publish our full-page testimonies “Sobem Friendship” in Sing Pao Daily News every Monday and “Sobem Alive” in Herald Monthly. SOBEM testimonials are also utilized in both Grade 3 and secondary-level Bible class curricula in schools.
- Other broadcast channels: “Showers of Blessing” testimonies continue to broadcast in YMCA hotels, clinics, hospitals, schools, senior citizen centres, and churches, and permission is given for churches, fellows, and schools to use “Showers of Blessing” in their ministerial activities.
- Creative Media Ministry: We have successfully broadcast our animated series “Rainy Day Blessings” on train and platform TVs on Shenzhen Metro Lines 1 and 4 as well as Liantang Port TV platform. Short clips from “Showers of Blessing” are also shown on lobby TVs of 100 residential and commercial buildings in Shenzhen.
- Campus Ministry: In July, we successfully performed limited 10 shows of drama “The Life of Jesus”, engaging with over 5,000 students and parents.
- Outreach Ministry: SOBEM gospel-themed “Fai Chun” continue to be distributed for free or for donation each year, and they continue to be popular with the public.
Sobem HK has gone through 23 years, let us do the Lord’s work with a watchful and prayerful heart, walk with the Lord, and examine how God accomplishes His work through us in 2025 and even in the future.
Elda Chu – Executive Secretary
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but take heart, I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)
In fact, no suffering can surpass God’s love. We have peace in the Lord!
Even though the Russian-Ukrainian war and the Israeli-Pakistani conflict continue in 2024, the US presidential election, the fall of the Assad regime in Syria, the resignation of the Canadian Prime Minister, and natural and man-made disasters occur one after another in various places, God’s love always trumps all of them. Sobem's ministry begins with personal life stories that connects family affairs, national affairs, and even world affairs. They are indeed interlocking and closely related. The headquarters filming crew has visited Eastern Europe, Ukraine and Poland for on-site filming many times. Vancouver Sobem team also followed the pace: “Facing new challenges of the generation and staying at the forefront of the gospel” and continued our evangelism work in this city.
Ministry Events:
- April - “More Love at Home” Music Life Sharing Session, where two seasoned Christian musicians Ivy So and Andrew Ling shared their life stories. More than 400 people participated in the two gatherings, and eight people believed in the Lord. Also, more than 400 people attended our annual fund raising and vision sharing banquet. Everyone raised their phones and clicked to subscribe to support our online platform, which deeply moved our co-workers.
- July - Cho Lam Wong was very concerned about the conversion of young people from China to God and held two gatherings for professional youth and college students. The latter was Sobem’s first time to preach on the campus of Simon Fraser University. It was a rare opportunity.
- August - Phyllis Cheung's “Sharing Classic Oldies – Sobem Live” was held at Pacific Grace MB Church and attracted many people to attend.
- December - Following the success of the previous gathering, Cho Lam and his wife Leanne shared their love stories this time to encourage young people to have a correct attitude towards marriage.
Ministry and Life Care:
Contacts with different branches - Two administrative staff were invited to attend the annual dinner of US Sobem in September. Together with two headquarters staff and the former general secretary Rev Jim Tam, a group of five people visited the main office of US Sobem in San Francisco and experienced their work there. The spirit of global operation is also reflected in the good work of US Sobem there.
In terms of TV programs - a three-member crew visited Vancouver and Seattle again in November and a total of 8 stories were filmed which would be aired in 2025.
As for radio recording - this year there were more than 20 guests interviewed, including Hong Kong singers Gary Lau, Karen Kung, Kimman Wong, Bosco Poon, and the members of the Hong Kong Christian Music Ministry Association, etc. Very excited in the studio! Furthermore, starting from September this year, in addition to AM1470 broadcasting our program on Saturdays, we will also replay it on AM1320 CHMB every Thursday at 6:30 pm (Broadcast coverage covers inland BC). Each has its own audience, allowing our programs to be heard farther and wider.
In terms of life care - we continue to answer calls from all over the world every Tuesday and Saturday, with a total volunteer team of nine people. We are truly grateful that they faithfully listened to the callers’ requests. Sobem co-workers will also provide care and visits as needed as we are all one family in the Lord.
From the beginning of the year to the end of the year, the eyes of our Lord never left. Especially at the end of the year, in addition to being happy to see 1-min Shorts being widely accepted, we were also happy to see that the headquarters began to cooperate with different organizations on the online platform to shoot music specials and thankfully Vancouver Sobem also had its first collaboration with three young people in its Sobem Junior team and try to shoot short films of different themes to pass on the vision of Sobem and make the audience of Sobem continue to be younger.
We sincerely hope that the Lord who gives peace can help people gain peace through the ministry of Sobem. Amen!
We faced personnel changes starting from April. God led some of our faithful co-workers to serve in new areas or focus on other ministries. We give our heartfelt thanks to God for them! We also thank them for their continued service in the Lord with us. We believe that God will continue to make them a blessing to many in different fields and glorify the Lord’s name!
God once again led the Canadian filming crew to come to New Zealand in April and May. They are not only taking new series of testimonies in NZ, but also followed the New Zealand short-term missions’ team and went to the Pacific Island, Vanuatu to record their service there. Praise the Lord! Once again, God show us that serving does not depend on the number of people, but on God!
Until June, God encouraged us to pay more attention in prayer. Therefore, we started to have prayer meeting on the last Tuesday night of each month. We pray and seek for God's guidance. In prayer, God gave us some ideas and thoughts, and we will try to implement them in 2025.
We look forward to having new co-workers joining us and spread the gospel with us through SOBEM NZ.
Media Communications