By Roy S. Askins
On Sept. 10, 2025, in Hong Kong, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) reluctantly filed suit against Hong Kong International School Association Limited (HKISAL). HKISAL was formed in 1974 to administer Hong Kong International School (HKIS) on the LCMS’ behalf and in conformity to an Operating Agreement, also signed at that time. This agreement was restated and reaffirmed in 2002 and 2013.
For almost 60 years, the LCMS has sought to bring its nearly two centuries of experience and dedication to Lutheran education to the people of Hong Kong. When the Hong Kong community approached the LCMS about starting a school for an American-style, Christian education, the LCMS gladly stepped up and answered the call by establishing HKIS. For many years, HKIS grew in both size and prestige, becoming one of the premier international schools of Asia.
The Statement of Claim (SOC) alleges, however, that HKISAL has lost its way and no longer administers HKIS in a way that upholds the LCMS’ commitments to the parents and students of Hong Kong. As a church body, the LCMS is concerned that the unnecessarily high fees and debentures charged by the school make it a school of the wealthy elite rather than a school for any and all. The SOC also alleges other breaches of the Operating Agreement, such as the refusal of HKISAL to appoint a head of school that is called and placed by the LCMS Board for International Mission.
Due to its concern for HKIS’ reputation, the LCMS has for years attempted to discreetly work with HKISAL to correct these issues, lest the school suffer undue harm. The intransigence of HKISAL, however, has forced the LCMS to take legal action. The LCMS is seeking to have HKISAL operate HKIS in accordance with the Operating Agreement, failing which the LCMS would seek to remove HKIS from the Repulse Bay Campus so that the LCMS can work with the Hong Kong Education Bureau to establish a new LCMS school on that land.
Christian Preus, chairman of the LCMS Board of Directors, stated today in Hong Kong: “As alleged in the SOC, HKISAL has been drifting further and further from operating HKIS as an LCMS school. Because of our deep commitment to provide the education we have promised, the LCMS has concluded that it is unfortunately necessary to file the SOC to resolve the disputes, while at the same time plan for a possible new school in Hong Kong.”
The founding of the new school, Hong Kong Pacific School (HKPS), is subject to resolution of the litigation, the approval of the Hong Kong Education Bureau (EDB) and the eviction of HKIS from the relevant land. HKPS would seek to fulfill the LCMS’ commitments to the Hong Kong community for an American-style, Christian education. Also subject to approval of the EDB, HKPS would offer lower tuition and fees, not charge priority access debentures, and provide more opportunities for scholarships and financial aid. For more details about HKPS, visit hongkongpacificschool.com.
Posted Sept. 10, 2025
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As an LCMS Lutheran, a former student of HKIS, and an educator in both Christian and secular nternational schools in Asia for the last twenty-one years, I can affirm that HKIS has drifted from core LCMS practices for a very long time, since at least the late 1970s. There have been many worthwhile educators at HKIS over the many years of its operation. Unfortunately, its administration has been very, um, “worldly” in its approach to governance. I hope resolution is forthcoming. It’s sad to see division.
As a former staff, though served for a very short period of time, at HKIS, I shared the view that the School offered limited access to opportunities for those who are not resourceful. There were not many programmers transferring the excessive revenue (profit if you may call) back to student”s education directly. It is the time to reflect on the mission of the school and the initial intention of setting up HKIS
its very understandable position of the LCMS. One thing that maybe LCMS must understand is that the location of the school, being in Repulse Bay, really forbids the essence of being a charitable endeavor. Because in Hong-Kong, no poor person would take its kids, ever to that site of the mountain. It is too far, and even costly for children, let’s say in Kowloon to go there. Even if the school was opened to poorer classes, it would be very weird. Maybe the school in Repulse Bay should give a kick back or open a branch in Kowloon, then they would be supporting the vision of LCMS. William from Hong-Kong