Hong Kong authorities have denied renowned pastor and author Francis Chan a visa to remain in the country.
Pastor Chan revealed in a video that he was appealing the decision after being forced to return to the U.S., as reported by China Aid.
"Last week, after Hong Kong officials rejected our visas, we had to leave the country. We are now back in the U.S. and appealing the decision, however, we want to be in Hong Kong and hopefully, we can return there," Chan said in the video sent to friends and fellow pastors earlier this month.
Pastor Chan told how he, along with his sons-in-law Justin and Peter, had seen the Lord plant three churches in Hong Kong before their departure. The churches are house gatherings with approximately 15-20 people attending each. The three men had each been leading one church in each of their homes.
He added that he was concerned that the new church leaders and members would be able to continue to meet.
Before leaving Hong Kong, Pastor Chan told the young men they worked with that Justin, Peter, and he had to leave and asked them if they were ready, to which they replied that they were not.
Pastor Chan said he reminded the members of his house church that when the apostle Paul would go to a city, he would stay there for three weeks to serve those who have never even heard of the name Jesus and then leave.
He went on to explain how they had no Bibles or resources, but were able to establish a powerful church through the power of the Holy Spirit:
"I have faith in you. I have peace in my heart because I know that the Holy Spirit will be working. Although I believe God is having me go back to the U.S., I think this a great season for you to be pushed and stretched. And so, I'm going to go with the power of the Spirit. We've got this. I've got more sources for equipping than the early church did. I have so many resources online, so much knowledge available. I have the Scriptures right before me, a huge advantage."
Francis Chan left his thriving US megachurch, Cornerstone Church in California in February 2020 to move to Hong Kong. Cornerstone Church had grown from 30 to 6,000 congregants in the 15 years since he planted it.
Pastor Chan has said he is unsure if the Hong Kong government, heavily guided by the Chinese Communist Party, will allow him to return.