Thomas Bun-Chong Kao

Thomas Bun-Chong Kao (高文宗), aged 88, passed away peacefully in his sleep on June 8, 2024. Born on November 10, 1935, in Gu-Kang (古坑), Kao-Na Village (高林村), Taiwan, Thomas was the cherished second child of seven and first son of Kim-Sing Kao (高金生) and Chen Kim Kao (高陳錦). His siblings are: Su-Rong (淑蓉)(D), Wen-Tang (文堂) (D), Walter (文哲) (D), Katie (淑美), Su-Hua (淑華), and Wen-Yi (文毅). In 1958, he joyfully married Ann Li-Chhing Hsu (許麗卿), and together they shared a life filled with love until her passing on May 4, 2022. Thomas is survived by his four children: Susan (Scott) Lu, Tom (Helen) Kao, Rebecca (John) Choi, and Bill Hsu. He was also blessed with ten grandchildren: Joshua, Thomas, Tiffany (Stan), Estelle (Jonathan), Timothy (Polyanna), Theodore (Jade), Terrance, Aslan, Narnia, and Tobias. Additionally, he was a proud great-grandfather to two great-grandchildren: Micah and Ollie. His legacy of love and care will be remembered by all who knew him.

Thomas’ mother had made a sacred vow to dedicate her firstborn son to God’s service. Despite Thomas’ other interests and career aspirations, he heeded the divine call. His journey began at Tainan Theological Seminary (台南神學院), which was interrupted by his military service in the Air Force as a mechanic. Upon fulfilling his military obligations, he embarked as a medical missionary in Chia-Yi (嘉義). Eventually he resumed his theological studies at Taiwan Theological Seminary (台灣神學院), during which time he also served as a missionary to Taiwanese aborigines, which included translating the Bible to their language. Following his graduation from seminary, he was ordained as a Presbyterian pastor in the mid-1960s by his father-in-law Pastor Shui-Lu Hsu (許水露牧師), founder of Taipei Chong-Cheng Presbyterian Church (台北中正基督教會). Thomas continued to do God’s work by serving in various capacities within the church, including youth ministry.

After his father-in-law’s passing from leukemia in the early 1970s, Thomas was appointed as the church’s pastor. Concurrently, he also held the role of Editor-in-Chief at The Presbyterian Church in Taiwan’s Publishing Department. The roles continued until 1978, when God called Thomas and his family of six to the United States, where they settled in Queens, New York. Despite facing language barriers and financial hardships, Thomas remained steadfast in his mission to serve God. With Ann’s unwavering support, they started machine-knitting for sweater factories and later ventured into designing for department stores.

Thomas, in the family’s Woodside home, founded a Taiwanese church. They quickly outgrew the space and moved to a warehouse before finally settling in a dedicated church building. In 1980, the Kalam Presbyterian Church was established. In 1992, with both of his daughters settled in San Diego, California, Thomas relocated his remaining family to escape the harsh New York winters. He founded the San Diego Formosan Community Church, a small yet close-knit Taiwanese-speaking congregation. Over the years, Thomas pursued further education and earned his PhD in Theology and PhD in Religion. On June 8, 2024, surrounded by his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, Thomas peacefully passed away, reuniting with his beloved Ann.

Thomas found joy in a variety of hobbies throughout his life, including gardening, traveling, writing, and playing with his grandchildren. He had a passion for shopping and often brought home unique gifts for his grandchildren. His love language was expressed through food, thoughtful toys, and sweet candies. In his youth, Thomas enjoyed swimming, cars, drawing, cooking, photography, and traveling. As a father, he cherished spontaneous family trips to the beach or hot springs, where they would enjoy a delightful breakfast before heading to school. During their time in New York, Thomas would take the family camping at Acadia National Park, engaging in fishing and crabbing adventures. His life was filled with giving his family countless moments of happiness and fun.

Thomas’ legacy as a generous servant of God is remembered fondly. He opened his home to those in need, regardless of their beliefs, gender, or age, and touched many lives through his service. He often took church seniors on field trips in a 15-passenger van, enjoying activities such as apple picking, strawberry picking, shopping at Japanese stores, and visiting the beach, gardens, and Julian. Thomas was inquisitive by nature, always eager to understand how things worked and would often figure it out himself. In his mid-60s, he taught himself computers and developed a passion for desktop publishing. God blessed Thomas with a heart full of compassion, generosity, and kindness. He served everyone whom God brought into his life.

...“I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; 26 and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. ...” ~John 11:25-26

Please join us in celebrating his life on Saturday, June 22, 2024 at El Camino Memorial-Sorrento Valley Park, 5600 Carroll Canyon Rd., San Diego, CA 92121. The viewing will be held from 10:30 am to 11:00 am; the Memorial Service will be from 11:00 am to 12 noon. We would love for you to join us for a light lunch and snack reception immediately after the service from 12 noon to 2 pm.

故人生平略歷：

故人 高文宗(Thomas Bun-Chong Kao) 牧師，享年88歲(1935年11月10日~2024年6月8日)。

故人為故 高金生先生與故 高陳錦女士之子，生於臺灣古坑高林村，家中七個孩子淑蓉(故)、故人、文堂(故)、文哲(故)、淑美、淑華、文毅，他排行行二，一家和樂感情甚好。

故人出身在富裕的的家庭，幼年時他是祖母的金孫，特別獲得疼愛，所以他有機會就讀日本人的幼稚園和小學，學得極為流利的日文（台灣的孩童一般就讀國民學校）。高牧師手中至今保留一張很珍貴精美的幼稚園畢業證書。直至高中，就學期間故人表現非常出色，不僅課業優秀文學素養極高，無師自通繪畫，還在橄欖球、游泳等運動上出類拔萃。

如同聖經中的哈拿與撒母耳，故人高文宗牧師的獻身是他母親對上帝的祈禱與心願。

儘管故人懷有其他興趣和職業抱負，他還是順服的聽從了上帝的召喚。

故人在台南神學院就讀，期間因為國民政府不承認神學院的學籍，應徵服役空軍當機械師而中斷學業。但是由於他的文筆優美流暢，特以留在連上的辦公室工作，不必出操還可以上下班回家。

上帝為故人預備一位美麗賢淑的好師母，許水露牧師的四千金麗卿女士。1958年故人與許麗卿(Ann Li-Chhing Hsu) 女士喜結連理，恩愛伉儷兩人相知相守鶼鰈情深，著實令人羨慕，他們在上帝的祝福看顧之下一起渡過漫漫六十四年，鑽石婚時設筵請弟兄姐妹一同參與慶祝。直至2022年5月4日許女士安息主懷才不捨分離。

從軍中退伍後故人應嘉義信義會擔任醫療團的醫療傳教士，在嘉義縣新港鄉一帶做醫療傳道的工作，幫助生病窮苦的鄉親父老，而受到鄉民們的愛載和感謝。有位當年受到高牧師的照顧、教導的女孩子，如今已是祖母級很有成就的人物。數年前還特別從台灣來拜訪高牧師夫婦向他們致敬感謝。

後來高牧師應岳父許水露牧師的邀請到台北中正教會接替牧師的工作。其間到台灣神學院完成中斷的學業，於此時期擔任台灣原住民的傳教士，其中包括將聖經翻譯成他們的語言，爾後順利取得學位。神學院畢業後，故人於1960年代中期被岳父台北中正基督教會創辦人許水露牧師按立為長老會牧師。

他在牧養台北中正教會之外兼任長老教會公報的主任，1970年代初，故人的岳父因白血病去世後，故人被任命為教會的首席牧師，一直持續到 1978 年。倚靠上帝恩賜他才能，故人成功讓當時的公報社轉虧為盈。

無奈當年長老教會對外發表國是與人權宣言之故，導致國民黨政府非常不滿，身為公報社主任的他受牽連質疑，常常有情治單位暗中鍳視、鍳聽與干擾。

受到上帝的憐憫與引領，故人 高文宗牧師帶著全家遠離故土，在1978年順利移民到美國的紐約，他們在皇后區定居。儘管面臨語言障礙和經濟困難，故人仍然堅定不移地履行侍奉上帝的使命。為生計著想，在妻子的堅定支持下，他們開始為毛衣工廠進行機織工作，​​後來又開始為百貨公司設計毛衣。

但在繁忙工作之餘，故人並未放棄傳道事工，起初故人在自己的家中開始聚會，聚會人數漸漸增加，後來借用美國人的教會開設迦南教會，會友人數達到一百多人，其間他取得洛杉磯太平洋大學進修獲得神學博士學位。

上帝的聖恩一直引領腳步，如同昔日上帝引領祂的百姓以色列人，出埃及經過曠野，最後進入迦南美地。

1992年，故人全家遷到聖地牙哥，最初幾年在幾個地方聚會，2003年的年中社區教會遷移至Chula Vista。 60 多歲時，他自學了電腦，並對文字事工出版產生了熱情。他向有需要的人開放他的家，無論他們的信仰、性別或年齡如何，上帝賜福之下他服務了神帶入他生命中的每一個人也感動了無數人。在此聚會直到2020年3月8日，因為Covid-19發生，全美教會停止聚會，才結束，前後有26年之久。

故人與愛妻擁有四位優秀子女，長女Susan (Scott) Lu, 長子Tom (Helen) Kao, 次女Rebecca (John) Choi以及幼子 Bill Hsu。他們各自開枝散葉，成就十位在各領域發光發熱的孫輩: Joshua, Thomas, Tiffany (Stan), Estelle (Jonathan), Timothy (Polyanna), Theodore (Jade), Terrance, Aslan, Narnia, and Tobias。然後故人更喜獲兩位可愛的曾孫輩: Micah and Ollie。

故人一生都在各種愛好中找到樂趣，包括園藝、旅行、寫作以及含飴弄孫。他熱衷於購物，並經常帶一些獨特的禮物回家給孫子。他的愛是透過食物、貼心的玩具和甜蜜的糖果來表達的。他將年輕時喜歡游泳、汽車、繪畫、烹飪、攝影和旅行一一淺移默化給他的子子孫孫，故人喜愛全家自發性去海灘或溫泉旅行，在那裡他們可以在去學校之前享用美味的早餐。如同在紐約期間，故人會帶著家人在阿卡迪亞國家公園露營，進行釣魚和捕蟹探險。他的生活充滿了帶給家人無數幸福和樂趣的時刻。

「復活在我，生命也在我。信我的人，雖然死了，也必復活；凡活著信我的人，必永遠不死。」（約翰福音十一25節至26節）

敬愛的故 高文宗牧師榮歸天家，終與其摯愛的夫人在永恆樂園團聚，故人畢生擁有豐盛富足的恩典眷顧，時時刻刻倚靠主愛與主同行，那充滿同情、慷慨和仁慈的心將被獻上作為上帝慷慨僕人的遺產，被人們深情銘記。

請與我們一起為故人送別於 2024 年 6 月 22 日星期六在 El Camino Memorial-Sorrento Valley Park, 5600 Carroll Canyon Rd., San Diego, CA 92121. 開放時間為上午 10:30 至 11:00; 追思會時間為上午 11:00 至中午 12:00. 我們歡迎您在中午 12 點至下午 2 點結束後立即加入我們的輕食午餐和小吃招待會.