The Legendary Life of Ada Lum

What does it look like to live a long, full life devoted to serving God and others? Ada Lum left a legacy of love and service that inspires many around the globe.

When I was in my forties, I remember running into Ada (then in her seventies) at the Honolulu airport. I was surprised that she was flying alone. She was coming from a country that was in winter, just returning home for a few days as she repacked her suitcase to travel to another country where the weather was much warmer. Because she was traveling so far and alone at her age I asked, “Ada, aren’t you worried about something happening to you as you travel?” She replied, “I don’t mind, then I don’t have to take the long flight home.” Ada knew her life was in God’s hands and gave herself wholeheartedly to share God’s love and word in Hawaiʻi and across the world.

Ada Lum, one of my most inspiring heroes, lived a loving, wise, purposeful, powerful, uncompromising, dedicated, and sacrificial life with Jesus and others until she entered her eternal home at the grand age of 100 years! As I share a glimpse of her life and legacy with you, I hope that she will also be a great inspiration to you.

Born and raised in Hawaiʻi by parents from China, Ada was the fifth of ten children. She grew up in Kalihi and her entire family worked together in their guava jam business. When Ada was nine years old, her neighbor invited her to Kalihi Union Church where she served and remained an active member for 91 years. As Ada ministered to students, her heart was always to see them bring new life as they serve and lead in the local church. She had the joy of seeing that happen in her lifetime.

I’ll never forget the joy of celebrating Ada Lum’s 100th birthday, planned in partnership with her family, Kalihi Union Church, InterVarsity Hawaiʻi, and Bible Institute of Hawaiʻi. She was lovingly celebrated by over 300 family members and friends, a small number in comparison to the thousands who have been touched by Ada’s life and ministry. We worshipped and praised God for Ada’s life and impact. Stories, tributes, prayers, dances, songs, and videos were shared by friends, ministry partners, former students, and government officials to honor this absolutely amazing woman.

I sat with Michael Knowles and Pastor Ho Xuan Phu who were ministered to by Ada in Vietnam. Michael knew Ada in Vietnam, Malaysia, and the Philippines in 1974-1975 and stayed in touch with her over the years. His wife was also one of Ada’s students in Vietnam. Rev Dr Randy Furishima, former director of Bible Institute of Hawaii, shared how Ada led a weekly Bible study at his Intermediate School over six decades ago teaching him faithfully about Jesus and the Bible.

Ada Lum joined InterVarsity Christian Fellowship (IVCF) Hawaiʻi staff in 1955 after receiving her undergraduate degree in history and graduate degree in Biblical literature from Wheaton College. She was the second full-time Asian American InterVarsity staff and the first local InterVarsity staff to serve in Hawaiʻi. Ada reached out to and discipled students at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa and led a fellowship group of 200 students. She also ministered to junior high and high school students (Inter-School Christian Fellowship), nurses at Queen’s hospital (Nurses Christian Fellowship), and went to UH Hilo with a few student leaders to start a chapter there. Ada was the main staff overseeing all these ministries and her volunteers from 25 campuses! She ministered to students in Hawaiʻi for seven years until 1962.

Ada led many students at UH to the Lord. One, Bob Okuda, became president of the UH fellowship. Bob and his wife Nancy visited Ada and her sister Ginny faithfully every week when they entered senior housing. They are considered family by the Lum ʻOhana (the Lum family).

After ministering in Hawaiʻi, Ada wanted to respond to God’s call to serve overseas. She went to Asia, taking her first assignment with the International Fellowship of Evangelical Students in Hong Kong. Ada served in the Philippines during the 1960s and watched that ministry grow and flourish. On a global project to the Philippines last year, I witnessed the strength, fruitfulness, vitality and continual dedication of the IVCF Philippines staff and students!

Lisa Espineli Chinn, former IVCF Philippines staff, met Ada in her early years on staff. She considers Ada an inspiration and role model for her life and ministry. Ada taught staff and students in the Philippines how to study the Bible and take Jesus seriously. Because of that, they were able to disciple the next generation of students with their wisdom, guidance and inspiration. Fifty-six years later, Lisa continues her ministry as a leadership mentor, spiritual director, and former national director of International Students with IVCF!

Ada Lum spoke at IVCF’s Urbana ‘90 conference when she was 64 years old. In her presentation, she mentioned that early in her ministry with the International Fellowship of Evangelical Students (IFES) she knew she needed to work herself out of a job. She talked about being part of many movements around the world that began with just a handful of students. Ada’s journey wasn’t easy; she knew the pain of experiencing racism, sexism, and her own sin and brokenness.

Ada played a key role in the early development of IFES student movements across East Asia from 1962 to 1977. From 1978-1983 her ministry extended to Africa, Latin America, Europe, and Central Asia. In 1984 Ada was vice-president and ambassador at large as Bible study trainer. Ada served with IFES in over 115 countries! Ada worked full time with IFES including IVCF in Hawaiʻi for 29 years and continued ministry with IFES part time through her eighties.

Lindsay Brown, former general secretary of IFES, remembers Ada well:

“Ada has probably had more impact on the growth of Bible study in IFES than anyone else in our 53-year history. She has proved to be an outstanding servant of God who still inspires and serves as a model for us.”

Jonathan Lamb, of IFES Europe and Eurasia, offers warm words about Ada.

“Her personal warmth, her ability to identify with students in a range of cultures, her clear teaching skills and lively presentations have resulted in strong foundations being built in many of the pioneer movements of Central and Eastern Europe.”

To preserve the training and teaching of Ada Lum because she was getting “older,” Rev Eric Miller on his first assignment with IFES media was asked to produce an inductive Bible Study video training series featuring Ada. “Bringing the Bible to Life” was distributed to every student movement then in IFES. That was 40 years ago! Eric has continued in Ada’s legacy to train staff and students in inductive Bible study in over 40 countries including in his home in East Africa.

Dr. Sharon, a medical doctor and global humanitarian worker, has been mentored by Ada since she was a college student. Together, she and Ada started a group at the University of Hawai’i for young people interested in missions work. When Ada was in her eighties, Dr. Sharon sponsored BIH classes taught by Ada on Kauai and also enjoyed the privilege of partnering with Ada on short-term missions trips to Southeast Asia. Dr. Sharon credits the lessons she’s learned from her mentor and friend’s life as a key reason for why she remains committed to equipping and empowering ministry leaders around the world.

In 1984 at 58, Ada began her work at Bible Institute of Hawaiʻi and taught there for at least 29 years until Ada was 87 or 88. When BIH classes had a break, Ada also continued to do trainings for IFES. Rev Dr Brad Smith, a BIH faculty and former Board member, recalls, “Ada was the spark that gave BIH its staying power.” Joanne Naai, former BIH administrator and current volunteer, remembers the scene clearly:

“Ada would sometimes lie on the floor of her office, practicing her classes out loud. She would visualize her students, weighing how they might or might not understand a point, and then revise her lesson further. This constant refinement ensured every lesson was fresh and life-giving.”

Ada wrote more than fourteen books, Bible studies, and manuals including Jesus the Disciplemaker, A Hitchhiker’s Guide to Missions, How to Begin an Evangelistic Bible Study, and Single and Human.

Many years ago, my IVCF colleague Moani Nanod-Sitch and I took Ada to lunch in Chinatown. In our conversation, we covered many topics, including singleness. I asked, “Why didn’t you ever get married?” Ada replied, “Well, there was no one to marry… everyone was married.” Ada’s response revealed that she would have married, perhaps, but she never found the right person. But even without being partnered in marriage, Ada cultivated a loving community that offered her love and support for her whole life. As we talked, we were so inspired by her contentment and joy being single with Jesus as her life partner.

Rev Rodney Wong, director of Bible Institute of Hawaiʻi says of Ada:

“In being single, she found the most effective way for her calling to run the race God set before her. Her devotion to the Word and global mission was so consuming and joyful that she never felt she was ‘missing’ a thing. She often remarked that her life was ‘crowded with people,’ meaning she was never lonely because she was always invested in others, especially the next generation.”

I consider it a privilege to have known Ada, to have taken some of her classes, and to have visited with her, especially later in her life. She would always ask about our ministry in IVCF, listen intently, and share her wisdom. Ada always encouraged us to trust in the Lord and grow in our intimacy with Him.

Some of her powerful sayings that I will always remember are:

“The people that annoy you the most, love them the most.”

“Keep loving the Lord with a very warm faith.”

“There are a lot of things you learn in the university, but the most important is that you learn about God; You get to know him as a person, as a friend of your life; he wants you as His friend for life.”

“I have no regrets, just gratitude and joy in knowing Jesus.”

I would like to end this article with a quote from our current IVCF Hawaiʻi Area Director, Kahu Moanikeʻala Nanod-Sitch:

“On Friday, May 15, at 1:20 pm — right on cue with one of the loudest and longest bouts of thunder in the heavens — our beloved ‘Mama’ of the nations, matriarch of InterVarsity Hawaiʻi, courageous missionary, wise kumu Baibala (Bible teacher), humorous Aunty, kind sister, gentle friend, and generous gospel partner, went Home to be with our Beloved Savior! We cannot imagine what the celebration was like that glorious day when she was able to see her Aloha Mua (First Love) Jesus, face to face!

Her ministry with InterVarsity Hawaiʻi (IVCF), International Fellowship of Evangelical Students (IFES), and Bible Institute of Hawaiʻi (BIH) made a global impact, changing the course of countless lives in over 115 countries where she taught and beyond. Her Bible teaching through books, training materials, and recordings of her anointed preaching challenged the minds and ignited the hearts of student movements around the world. Ada’s humble and vibrant example of intimacy with Jesus — cultivated through Scripture study and the power of the Holy Spirit — has increased the homes in heaven and continues to encourage and empower generations of college students and families to trust and love our triune God with all our hearts.

Rev. Brenda Jo Wong, on staff with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship for 48 years, currently serves in Spiritual formation and Prayer and doing outreach with international students. She has graduate degrees in Christian Studies from New College Berkeley and Marriage, Family and Child Counseling from San Francisco State University and is a Spiritual Director. Brenda loves having a meal with family and friends and spending time at Waimānalo Beach.