Born in Hong Kong around 46 years ago, Carmel Yeung and her family moved to New Zealand at age 11. She grew up in Christchurch before returning to Hong Kong after graduating from University of Canterbury with a Bachelor of Fine Arts (Graphic Design), then relocating to Macau in 2000.
Here, Yeung first worked at Mandarin Oriental. She would then spend the next two decades developing her career in the city’s hotel industry, which included working for the Fisherman’s Wharf Macau, Grand Lapa Macau and Grand Coloane.
Three years ago, the New Zealander mother of an 11-year-old son left Grand Lapa Macau at the height of her career as the hotel’s Area Director of Communications and Marketing Services. And today, Yeung juggles her time being a full-time mother while she is completing her Master of Divinity degree at Macau Bible Institute (MBI).
In this interview, she spoke to Good News Macau about her career change and how it has given her more purpose to life.
What made you change your career in the hotel industry?
It was for my son. I wanted to spend more time with him and take care of him myself. So, in 2018, I already considered resigning and I told my boss at Grand Lapa Macau about it. I started preparing for the change in January 2019 and I officially left Grand Lapa Macau in July that year.
How did you end up at a Bible college?
I grew up in a Christian household and I have always been involved with church activities and ministries, even when I was living in New Zealand. And I kept being involved in my local church, Ye Lung Hau Baptist Church, during my career in Macau’s hotel industry. I guess, I have always had a calling to serve, but I started having a strong calling in November 2019, when I attended a [Christian] conference in Hong Kong.
What kind of calling?
During the conference, I felt God was calling me to [full-time] ministry.
What happened next?
I spoke to my pastor, and she gave me her blessing, but it was not enough for me. I needed some sort of divine intervention from God. I didn’t think the calling was strong enough at that time. Then, I thought, maybe it’s not a calling. In December that year, while I was on a bus, I was reading a Christian article on my mobile phone and there was this word ‘equip’ and there were a few Bible verses that really impressed me very strongly that I started crying.
On the bus?
Yes. And I began to cry louder too. I made the guy sitting next to me very uncomfortable. I really felt the Holy Spirit shaking my heart like a vibe.
When did you join the Bible college?
I started making my application and all the preparations for me to join the course, then, in October 2020, I began the Master of Divinity programme at Macau Bible Institute. It’s a three-year programme so I’m looking to graduate in 2023.
Was it that easy to make such a decision?
It was a lifetime decision. I remember praying and telling God ‘I’m not going to abandon my career and lifestyle, then spend three years if this is not what You want me to do, God’. If this is not your calling then I’ll be wasting time, energy and going to the wrong direction.
Do you expect to become a pastor after graduating?
That is what I’m going to be, a pastor. Specifically, I have a passion for families, children included, as well as mentally-challenged people. I have always been involved in these ministries. So, I’m looking to continue serving these two ministries at our church.
Can you name the one biggest change in your life since leaving your corporate career?
Lifestyle.
What kind of lifestyle?
The one that you don’t really need to see price tags (laughing). Now I need to be more cautious in spending. I need to have planning instead of just spending.
How do you support yourself and your son now?
Donations, from church, church members and my father.
What did your father say about your decision to study theology?
My father was actually very happy. He had been praying for me [to serve God]. He said ‘I prayed for over 40 years’. So, his prayer finally got answered.
Any challenge in the beginning?
Financially, especially in the first 4-5 months, I was really living by faith. It shook me a bit because I never had to worry about my bread before. I prayed and I was provided, as I said, through donations from the people around me.
What did you learn from that experience?
God always provides his servants. Whoever is entering ministry or if you hear God’s calling, the only thing you really don’t need to worry about is money. He will take care of you.
What are your current activities aside from studying?
Taking care of my son and my father. My mother’s no longer around. And I also serve at the church.
Do you have any plans in the future to return to your corporate career?
No, I don’t think so. For me, this calling is a shift of career. And this career has no retirement plan.
Any words of encouragement?
Don’t diminish the calling from the Holy Spirit. Don’t brush it off. If God really calls you to do something, it’s best that you answer fast; otherwise, all that you’re doing is just circling around and around. But eventually, you’re going to get back to that calling, and I think that’s kind of a waste of time already.
Speaking from experience?
Let’s put it this way. If I could do theology a few years earlier, when I first felt the calling and still had better memory, then my Hebrew class would not have been that difficult for me.
Photo courtesy of Carmel Yeung
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