Dear brothers and sisters:
On behalf of the Northern California churches, we are sad to inform you of the passing of our dear brother Jonathan Kong in Sacramento. Brother Jonathan was a resolute and faithful steward of God, who was one of the original preeminent spiritual patterns to us in this country.
Our brother’s going to be with the Lord leaves a sense of deep loss to us personally and corporately. But there is also a feeling of great appreciation for the portion he has left with us. There is a quiet assurance of the triumphant grace of God reigning in a man who put his whole trust in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. His living and his dying are a simple but profound testimony echoing the apostle Paul’s declaration, “To me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.”
Jonathan was one of the first elders appointed by Brother Lee in the mid-1950s in San Francisco until he moved to Sacramento around 1960. In those early years in Sacramento he brought in a good number of local seeking ones into the recovery. Brother Lee’s visits to Sacramento during that period of time gave him much confirmation to remain in this country and begin the work in 1962.
When there was a turmoil in the church in Sacramento in 1975, Jonathan (along with several faithful saints) firmly stood one with the ministry of Brother Lee and was a strong defender of the truth.
Brother Jonathan gave himself and his entire life to serving the Lord, the saints, the churches, and the Lord’s recovery. His steadfast faithfulness to the ministry and to the recovery as well as his pureness and genuineness are truly a pattern to all of us.
We thank the Lord for such a gift to the Body.
The coworkers in Northern California
Below is an announcement from his family:
Our beloved father, Jonathan Kong, passed away at the age of 101 on the evening of Wednesday, May 17, 2023. He was in relatively good health until earlier this month when he was hospitalized for GI bleeding. After being discharged, he showed signs of worsening heart and kidney failure. Thereafter, he went peacefully to be with the Lord. His burial will take place with the family members in Southern California at Grace Terrace next week. His memorial meeting is tentatively scheduled for Saturday, June 3, 2023. Details will be forthcoming. The family would like to express appreciation for the love, care, and support from all of you at this time.
The Family of Jonathan Kong
