Our Elders

The role of Elders at ECC is based on and developed from scripture. The Greek word translated as "presbyter" or "elder" is used sixty-six times in the New Testament. Sixteen refer to an office in the church and they include guidance on the selection of Elders and their roles and responsibilities. The word "overseer" is also used in this way in Paul's first letter to Timothy and other places, and the role of "pastor" is mentioned once in Eph 4:11. Reference is also made to "leaders" or "those who lead" in Hebrews 13;7, 17 & 24. [References: Acts 14:23; 15:4, 6, 22; 16:4; 20:17; 20:28, 21:18;  Phil 1:1;  1 Tim 3:1-2, 5:17, 19;  Titus 1:5, 7;  James 5:14;  1 Pet 5:1-5; 2:25;  2 John 1:1;  3 John 1:1.]


Paul's letter to Titus gives the clearest single introduction to the role of Elders, encouraging Timothy to appoint Elders in every town:

"The reason I left you in Crete was that you might put in order what was left unfinished and appoint elders in every town, as I directed you. An elder must be blameless, faithful to his wife, a man whose children believe and are not open to the charge of being wild and disobedient. Since an overseer manages God's household, he must be blameless—not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain. Rather, he must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined. He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it." (NIV: Titus 1:5-9, see also 1 Tim 3:1-12 & 1 Pet 1-5)


In other places elders are told to keep watch over the flock (Acts 20:28) and to pray for the sick (James 5:14-15). Underlying all of this is the call to be servant leaders, as modeled for us by our Lord Jesus Christ (John 13:1-17 & Phil 2:5-8). The Elders at ECC seek to follow scripture in this way and ask the church to assist them in this.


The congregation is encouraged to approach the Elders regarding any matter regarding the body of Christ in ECC. This can be by email or by approaching the Elders or Church Staff at any church meeting.


Elders and pastors in ECC are appointed to the Elder Board which handles the business of the church in accordance with Scripture and the Articles of Association of the Church. Elder candidates are church members who are nominated by other members, are examined by the Elders and are elected at the Annual General Meeting (AGM). As the result of the elders' election held at the EGM on March 23rd, 2025 the ECC Elders Board now consists of the people below.

  • Pastor Adam McCulloch

    Adam was born in Oklahoma in the USA and grew up in West Virginia. Adam grew up as a non-Christian, and wanted nothing to do with Christianity throughout high school and into the beginning of his university years. Yet God did an amazing work in Adam’s life while attending university; God began convicting Adam of his sinful lifestyle and opened His eyes to see the emptiness of life without Christ. Adam eventually believed in the gospel while attending university and experienced the joy of a new life in Christ. After becoming a Christian, he transferred to Liberty University in Virginia and majored in Biblical Studies.


    While at Liberty, Adam became exposed to the spiritual needs of the world through a summer mission trip to East Asia. After graduating, he moved to East Asia to teach English with a Christian organization, and while there he met his wife Mary. They returned to the US, got married, and then moved to Louisville, Kentucky where Adam studied theology and counseling at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.


    After finishing seminary, the McCullochs moved back to East Asia and spent many years serving as Christian workers to a large unreached people group. In 2019, his family moved to Hong Kong where Adam spent 3 years as the associate pastor at Ambassador International Church. In August of 2022, Adam became the pastor at ECC.


    Adam and Mary are blessed with 3 wonderful daughters – Katie, Caroline and Anne. All three girls attend International Christian School in Hong Kong. In his free time, Adam loves hiking Hong Kong’s trails, enjoying Hong Kong’s food, and watching American football and basketball.


  • Elder Gideon Chee

    I was born into a church-going family back in Malaysia and have been attending church since young. Attending Sunday School with my siblings and worship service every Sunday was a weekly routine for me.


    I am thankful I have the opportunity to know more about our Lord Jesus Christ at church, Sunday school, youth meetings, as well through family prayer and Bible reading time.

    During one of the annual family Bible Camps in Cameron Highlands, Malaysia, after listening to a Gospel message, I realized I had to be born again. Physical birth into a Christian family would not automatically save me from sins. I realized that I needed to repent of my sins and put my trust in Jesus Christ alone for salvation. That night, when I was about 12 years old, I prayed to accept Jesus Christ as my Savior and Lord. I got baptized when I was 15.


    I met my wife through a Christian fellowship at college and it was a joy to be able to be in fellowship with other Christian students, and growing together in the faith while studying at the college. A few years after college, we got married and are blessed with two boys. Due to my work and after leaving sailing life as a seaman back in 2013, I was offered a job at a Hong Kong ship management company in early 2014. We joined ECC in 2015 and looking back, we are so thankful to God for how He has continued to cause us to grow spiritually while being a part of ECC. We also give thanks to God for our sons who have both professed faith in Jesus Christ and are seeking to grow spiritually.


    As we continue to have fellowship in ECC and be part of His church, He has provided our spiritual needs and also shown us much love and care from other believers by joining a home fellowship (the NTE group). I trust that God will continue to equip me and guide me as I continue to serve in the church.

  • Elder Jackson Cheng

    My journey to Christ began in 2009, thanks to a friend's invitation to explore the meaning of life. He introduced me to the Alpha course, which I initially attended on my own and later a second time with my wife, Phoebe. This pivotal experience marked the start of our shared faith journey at ECC.

    Reflecting on those early days, I am grateful that God used my friend to lead me to Him. Growing up in a non-Christian family, I spent years living a life rooted in sin, often without recognizing it. Had I turned down my friend’s invitation, I would have missed out on the profound joy and hope I found in God. Yet, God softened my heart and instilled in me an inquisitive mind, prompting me to seek a deeper relationship with Him.

    Throughout this journey, God has shown His faithfulness by surrounding me with supportive Christian friends at different stages of my life. Our Alpha course group leaders played a crucial role in encouraging both Phoebe and me to commit to Christ, which led to our baptism at ECC in April 2012.

    After the birth of our first child, an elder from ECC visited our family and introduced us to the Hunghom Small Group, where we connected with many faithful brothers and sisters in Christ. This community taught me how to love God and one another, deepening my understanding of faith. I also developed a habit of studying the Bible, allowing God’s Word to mature me spiritually.
    With God's blessings, I have been growing day by day. Today, I feel incredibly blessed to have a loving family, comprised of Phoebe and our two wonderful children, Hanna and Nico. We cherish our time together at ECC, attending Sunday services and participating in various church activities. Most importantly, we enjoy being part of the NTE Small Group, where both adults and children can find friendship and grow together in our walk with Christ.

    Looking back, I am deeply thankful for how God has shaped my journey and the wonderful people I have met at ECC. I am also grateful for the opportunities to serve God, hoping to give back a portion of what I have abundantly received from this church.

    Outside of my spiritual life, I enjoy watching sports, including Formula 1, NBA, and soccer. I also have a habit of starting books without finishing them — except for the Bible.

  • Elder Rickie Hung

    I was born into a church-going family in Hong Kong. Sunday service was an optional event where I collected candy. When I was 6 years old, my family moved to Canada, and at the same time my father became ill. Through his surgery and recuperation period, Jesus brought my father into relationship with Him, and then my father led our family to believe in Jesus. I started learning more about Jesus at church, school, family worship time and youth groups – including Harvesters at ECC. One day, I realized that I had never “formally” told Jesus that I believed in His death and resurrection, although I had never really doubted His existence. So, one night before bed when I was 15 years old, I prayed to accept Jesus as my savior and Lord. I got baptized when I was 16.

     

    Looking back, I see that God had gotten right to work in sanctifying me. I experienced many challenges to my faith in college in Canada and got to the point of almost renouncing my belief in Jesus. Inwardly I felt lifeless and dry, but outwardly I was an active Christian fellowship leader. I felt that I should not appear weak in front of others. It was actually pride – not wanting others to see me as weak. With support from family and friends, I learned to be real with God, real with people, and real with myself. This has been an ongoing process throughout my career as a teacher and school psychologist. Helping students with learning difficulties, navigating conflicts with colleagues, and tackling seemingly insurmountable projects made me realize how much I needed to learn, how important it was to ask for help, and how crucial it was to trust in the Lord. I am always encouraged by this verse: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.” (Proverbs 3:5-6)

     

    As I learned to trust in the Lord more, He has led me to take up different responsibilities, and every time I have been reminded that He would equip me for the work He wanted me to do. I trust that God will continue to equip me and guide me as I serve as an elder at ECC.

     

    I met my wife Catherine when we served together at Bible Study Fellowship. We have two lovely daughters, Abigail and Isabella. I enjoy taking time to jog, play piano, and watch the occasional sci-fi flick.