Tien Hwa Pong

Tien Hwa was the oldest child amongst 7 children. Her father was Arthur Pong, a Chinese pastor. She was separated from her father when he went to America in 1946 but couldn’t return due to Sino-US tensions.

Accepting Jesus as a teenager, Tien Hwa was baptized in the Yellow River at age 16. In 1949, she went to Jinan to join the Jinan Railway Administration to become their first female accountant.

Eventually, she immigrated to the United States in 1982, reunited with her father, and settled in Chicago where Tien Hwa diligently worked to bring all of her children to the United States.

Tien Hwa was always a joyful presence – remembered for her bright smile and warm personality to everyone. Regularly hosting Bible studies in her home, God used her gift of building friendships and generosity to show His love to others. Tien Hwa loved to travel, garden, and cook. She was known for her special Nanjing Salted Duck.

Tien Hwa was the loving mother to 3 daughters, Shen Lei, Shen Yun, and Shen Chien, and 2 sons, Shen Min and Shen Wei. She was beloved by her 8 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren.