Wednesday, 18 January 2017 23:49

If God Can Use Me...

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My faith journey began over 40 years, when as a child, I began attending the Hamilton Chinese Alliance Church (海明頓華人宣道會) under the leadership of Rev. Daniel Ng (吳偉權牧師). My non-Christian parents did not attend themselves, but they encouraged my older brother and me to go in order to learn Chinese and to develop good moral values. As I began attending HCAC regularly, I started learning about God and the Christian faith. There were many dedicated and faithful brothers and sisters who served tirelessly in the various children’s ministries each week.

When I was twelve, I attended a one-week summer Vacation Bible School at HCAC. It was during this VBS that the Gospel message was presented to me in a clear and concise manner. Even though I was a good child – being very obedient to my parents and studying hard in school, I realized that I fell short according to God’s standards. I had no relationship with God and I was a sinful person. On the final Friday of VBS, the main teacher took time to meet individually with each student in the class. It was during that discussion that I came to fully understand God’s love for me and put my trust in Jesus Christ as my Lord and Saviour. Throughout my high school years, HCAC continued to provide me with the critical Christian foundation which prepared me for those seasons of life that lay ahead.

During my undergraduate studies at the University of Waterloo, I joined the Chinese Christian Fellowship where God provided me with many fellow Christians for encouragement and support. I learned about the importance of evangelism and campus ministry.


After graduating with a degree in physics, I moved to Toronto where I joined a research team at Environment Canada conducting ozone monitoring and solar radiation studies. The Toronto Christian Community Church became my spiritual home. Over the years, I have had the privilege of serving as a deacon on the English Ministry Committee and in various capacities at TCCC.


God had blessed me with a successful and rewarding career at Environment Canada which took me to places all over Canada and around the world. However, after fifteen years, I sensed God's call for me and my family to serve Him in a greater capacity. Until that moment, I had never considered being involved in full-time Christian ministry – I believed it was only for ‘super-spiritual’ people.


I acquired a Master of Theological Studies degree in Christian Foundations from Tyndale Seminary. Then, in August 2005, in obedience to the Great Commission, my wife Cecilia, 2-year old daughter Kathryn and I moved to central Asia to work among various unreached people groups. For the next nine years, we humbly experienced God’s providence and protection in ways we could never have imagined. Thanks be to God for His faithfulness during those challenging yet spiritually formative years in ministry. I even had time to complete a Master of Divinity degree in Pastoral and Chinese Ministry from Tyndale!


As our time in Central Asia drew to a close, we trusted God once again to guide and lead our family into the next chapter of our lives. As we prepared to move back to Canada, I had to consider my options for employment. Through much prayer and spiritual wisdom provided by others, there was affirmation that God was calling me to use my theological education, gifting and overseas experience to serve Him as a full-time pastor in a congregational setting. Upon our return to Canada in 2014, I accepted the role of Missions Pastor at TCCC. In July 2015, I became the acting Lead Pastor of the TCCC English congregation and a year later, accepted the position of Lead Pastor.


As I reflect on my faith journey thus far, one of the main themes that has permeated throughout my life has been one of gratitude. I am so deeply thankful to God for His love and sacrifice on the cross through Jesus Christ and the continued presence of His Spirit through each season of my life. What a privilege it is to be called a child of God.


I would like to thank my parents for their many years of hard work and sacrifices. They gave up many things so that I could experience a better life. They have instilled in me a work ethic and an appreciation for family that has made me a better person for which I am so grateful.


This year, my wife Cecilia and I will be celebrating our 20th wedding anniversary. She has been my biggest supporter and source of encouragement. Our daughter Kathryn is so understanding when I am busy with pastoral responsibilities and, in her own way, helps shape my ministry, too. Thank you Cecilia and Kathryn.


My appreciation to Rev. Dr. Harding Ng, Senior Pastor of TCCC for his leadership and mentorship. It is a privilege and honour to be ordained as an ACEM minister. Thank you to ACEM and to the Executive Church Board of TCCC.


At every turn in my life, God has faithfully provided the necessary people to help influence, shape and mold me: valued counselors, advisors, mentors, pastors, colleagues, friends, and family. I don’t know where I would be today without you. I thank God for each of you.


You will often hear me assert that if God can use me, He can use anyone. It is my prayer that TCCC brothers and sisters draw closer to God in their spiritual walk while expressing their faith locally and globally, pointing others to Jesus Christ.
To God be the Glory!


(The author is an English pastor of T3C. He is ordained on Jan 8, 2017.)

Last modified on Wednesday, 18 January 2017 23:56
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