The seeds of our work began when a 21 year-old young man, named Albert Reiton, pondered a simple question as he was washing bottles in an Astoria, Oregon brewery. He prayed, “Surely Lord, you have a greater plan than this for my life?” Immediately and miraculously, God’s plan began to unfold.
Not long thereafter in 1909, in response to a great world-wide call for missionaries to China, Rev. Reiton and his new bride sailed for Hong Kong on a one-way ticket. The work they established there multiplied and continues to this day.
As time passed the Reiton’s daughter, Helen, married Bob Hammond, the son of another missionary family. The Reitons and Hammonds worked together until their ministry was interrupted by the Japanese invasion of Hong Kong at the beginning of World War II. After an extended period of hiding, the families were imprisoned by the Japanese until they were repatriated in a POW exchange program. A book entitled “Bondservants,” was written about those early days that testified of their experiences and life of faith during their imprisonment.
After returning to the United States, Bob and Helen started a radio program called “The Voice of China and Asia Radio Broadcast.” Daily, they told the story of their mission works in Asia, and ministered the Gospel. The program continued for 46 years and brought many to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. Many of these listeners and their children form the core of our partner base today.