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[Copy of] A Perspective of the Mission Ministry at ACEM #206
Wednesday, 18 May 2022 08:33By Rev. Simon Wong
Under the guidance of God, Rev. John Kao accepted a call from CNEC to serve as a missionary and plant new churches in Toronto. His pioneering work in January 1975 led to the establishment of Toronto Chinese Community Churches (TCCC). Rev. Kao has great passion for missions. He set up a missions offering in the first year. Four years later, the first Annual Missions Conference was held. The congregation was encouraged to be involved in global evangelization and gave to the missions fund. Young people joined short term missions. Some became missionaries; others dedicated their lives to God and became pastors of local churches, with missions as important and integral parts of their ministry.
As the number of Chinese Community Churches grows, so does the need to organize, resulting in the Association of Chinese Evangelical Ministries (ACEM). In 2011, twelve ACEM churches sent representatives to be part of the ACEM Missions Department. The main objectives are setting missions philosophy, objectives, strategies, targets, plans and budgets. The Missions Department also allocates funding distribution, promotes missions education, coordinates cooperation among churches, and supports missions projects and workers in different people groups and locations.
Trials and Setbacks
As a non-denominational organization, ACEM has no traditions of its own. It has to develop its ministries from scratch. Christians in our 12 churches come from different backgrounds, countries of origin and cultures. Even our pastors may come from other denominations with different traditions. In addition, different languages – English, Cantonese, Mandarin - often lead to very different perspectives. For example, each may have its own definition to the question “What is Mission?” In the past, it may refer to cross cultural evangelism in distant, untouched places, with the church supporting overseas missionaries and their work. Nowadays many different ethnic groups live in our communities and become our neighbours. What is local mission? Missionaries now would not need to go overseas in order to do cross cultural evangelism. Will ACEM support such a ministry? According to tradition, this does not meet the criteria of being a missionary. Financial support would be minimal, if any. It is even harder to fundraise for local coworkers who provide administrative support for overseas missionaries.
Occasionally a certain special need of a church may lower the priority of missions there. In recent years, many believers shift the emphasis to the needs of the society, and to the issue of social justice. Not only do they address these issues in their local communities, but also in missions fields to spread the gospel and care for the needy at the same time. However these are different points of view on a variety of fields. Holding to extremes will easily create friction and disharmony.
Traditional overseas missionaries serve cross culturally. They have to adapt to a new culture, language and living environment. When a country refuses the entry of missionaries, then sending missionaries as tentmakers would become an alternative. Furthermore, the issue of sending missionaries by a professional agency or non-professional ones is real. It is common practice for a church to send their missionaries through an established missions organization because of the existence of a mature structure for training, counseling, support and administration. Nowadays, many Chinese churches eagerly participate in missions. The need of establishing a Chinese Missions Organization is mentioned frequently. In what role should ACEM play? Though we have tried, the road ahead is difficult due to our inexperience and limited resources.
Within ACEM, there are English only, Mandarin only, and tri-lingual churches. Each has its unique characteristics but all must deal with the cultural and language differences between immigrant and local-born coworkers. Their diverse backgrounds may lead to different priorities in their ministries. If handled well, they will complement one another. If not, the result can be disastrous to all.
Challenges and Harmony
For more than 30 years, Rev. Kao has emphasized greatly that senior pastors of ACEM churches must be advocates of missions. They must set a good example and follow the teaching of “It is more blessed to give than to receive”. Rev. Kao has a very clear vision and an almost unstoppable passion for missions. He has set a wonderful example for us to follow. “It only takes a spark to get a fire going, and soon all those around can warm up in its glowing…pass it on”. Our leaders and co-workers have followed this conviction for missions for many years. If this vision and teaching are embedded into the ACEM church growth genetic codes (DNA), surely the new churches will also emphasize on missions and giving.
In addition, it is very important for church leaders to broaden their views on global evangelism. This is instrumental to avoid closing ourselves up. ACEM encourages church pastors and leaders to participate in different world evangelical conventions by providing funding and support to attend these meetings. In 2006 more than 50 delegates attended the 7th Chinese Congress on World Evangelism in Macao.
The Missions Department of ACEM is composed of teams of delegates from all the ACEM churches. They set up policies and guidelines, such as, a newly appointed pastor has to serve in a short term missions trip for one month in the first year, and pastors are encouraged to lead short term teams periodically. Meanwhile our missions philosophy emphasizes participation. Each individual church may choose its own missions project and fields. For example, the Toronto Christian Community Church has sent their mission teams to Panama for many years. They worked together with the local church visiting small towns and leading many people to Christ. In 2011, they helped established a new church in Panama. The North York Chinese Community Church put their focus on the First Nation people in Quebec. Each summer they send young people to help organize and lead Summer Camps there.
In order to raise the interest of and promote further education in missions ministry, ACEM has financially supported brothers and sisters in ACEM churches to join in long term or short term missions trips regardless of the contribution of resources and funding from their home churches.
Every year ACEM organizes an annual missions conference. The pastors and delegates from different ACEM churches participate in planning and executing this conference. Our continuous cooperation not only brings out the joy of serving in missions, it also fosters our love and unity. ACEM also conducts a bi-monthly pastoral fellowship, an annual retreat and regularly scheduled lunches with our pastors. Through different communication platforms, ACEM works to build better relationships among church congregations. Weekly news and our publication, “ACEM Monthly” are distributed to all the churches to enhance communication. There is also an ACEM Conference, which is held twice a year for delegates representing each of our churches, to decide on important matters related to ACEM. Through God’s grace, our churches continue to grow and new ones are planted. The number of believers grow steadily bringing excitement and encouragement to all. It is an honour to be a part of ACEM.
Making Breakthroughs, Advancing Further
ACEM has no interest to dominate over individual churches. Our role is to establish a long term relationship, provide direction and support. Hence we must look at the big picture, be generous and flexible, not petty on little things. ACEM recognizes that for our churches to be connected, we must build a firm foundation based on mutual trust and love. The degeneration of our foundation is usually not due to huge difficulties or enemies; rather it is the silent erosion of Satan such as loss of faith in ACEM leadership, questioning on the direction of ACEM or the loss of love among the churches. We need wisdom and discernment in working with each other.
As for the future, ACEM must continue to seek breakthroughs in order to make advancement. If circumstances prevail, it may be necessary to make some minor changes in our missions policy every three or five years, and major changes in 10 years or so. Recently we have reviewed the framework of our Missions policy. The first step of restructuring has been approved. The next step will include the assisting of member churches to actively participate in missions in the next 2-3 years. In order to gain ACEM’s support, missions project will require the sponsorship of at least one member church. Financial contribution alone is not sufficient.
The missions ministry at ACEM continues to move in the direction of the “P.E.A.C.E.” plan, working to attain a healthy balance of spreading the gospel and caring for the need of people in our missions fields. Richmond Hill Christian Community Church is in the process of transforming and establishing a systematic missions training institute. In the past two years, 40 people have completed training as lay missions leaders. At present an additional 30 people are in training. In time, the result will be even more encouraging.
(The Author is ACEM General Director)
• Translated by Anthony Pang
Full time Seminarian Financial Application
Monday, 26 April 2021 22:06Joint Memorial Service for Rev. Dr. Hay-Chun Maak
Thursday, 28 January 2021 18:48Major Milestones
Location: Association of Christian Evangelical Ministries
2750 14th Avenue, Suite G-05, Markham, ON L3R 0B6
(437) 340-0805 www.mjccc.net
Our hearts go out to Esther and family and all of you at ACEM.
We well those early days at Bedford Park Chapel and our subsequent times together and friendship over the years. His presence will be dearly missed, but his legacy in lives brought to Christ will last forever. Affectionately in our soon coming Lord,
Stuart and Jackie Wilson,
Tucson, Arizona.
Please convey our deepest condolences to the bereaved family of the late Rev Dr John Kao. We are deeply inspired by Rev Dr John Kao's passion and perseverance for mission, church planting and theological education. May God's comfort be with Mrs Kao, the rest of the family members, and all those who were touched by this faithful servant of God. To God be the glory!
Dr Albert Ting
Principal, Singapore Bible College
I am saddened t learn of the departure of our brother John, but now his body will be a peace.
Lily and I are out of the country and will be returning April 3, so we will miss the service.
I would be pleased to write a note of our history and working together, if that would be received.
Brian C Stiller
Global Ambassador
The World Evangelical Alliance
In deep remember of Rev. Kao, he is
A man who has
Fought his fight
Ran his race
Kept his faith
Esther Fan
Please accept our condolences on the passing away of Rev John Kao. We are sad upon hearing the news but with comfort to know that he is with our Lord for His Words and promises remain faithful.
From your frontline coworkers,
Rev Nawni and Phun Duma
Myanmar, Yangon
Dear Mrs. Esther Kao,
Our deepest condolences to you and your family on the passing away of our beloved Rev, John Kao......
Dr. Kao was one of the Undersigned most respected mentor and dearest friends; so much had been learned from him and we share the griefs on the departure of this Great Man.....we will never forget the days of 1975 when we started to build up TCCC and the visiting of the Chinese families along Yonge & Lawrence, the building of our Birchmont and Sheppard Church......
May our dear Lord bless you and your children & grand children.
In Him We Trust,
Edmond Yao
We're sadden to hear the news. Memories of Rev. Dr. John Kao just flood our mind and heart. He'll be greatly miss as a mentor and friend. Holding all of you in prayers, specially Esther and the family. Thank you for keeping us update and thank Jesus for defeating death and that the victory is won. We'll meet again.
Man, Michael, Gabriel and Lovisa Sandstroms
We were privileged to be able to serve with Rev. Kao during the Journey program partnered with ACEM. And Rev. Kao had set a great model to us all.
Joe & Grace Wang
It is sad that we are "losing" one more spiritual warrior; but just as Mrs. Kao said when we visited Rev. Kao last Friday afternoon, "maybe it is good for the Lord to take him home soon." We can imagine how the Lord will say to him as he is in His presence now: " you have fought the good fight, you have finished the race, and you have kept the faith, now there is the crown of righteousness prepared for you. . ."
Let us uphold Mrs. Kao and her family member through our prayers.
Paul & Jane Theophilus
We are saddened by the loss of Rev. Dr. John Kao. He was a faithful follower of Jesus Christ and brought many lost souls to Christ during his years of exceptional ministry. Rev. Kao was a shining example of how we are supposed to strive to live a Christ-centered life.
There is no doubt in our minds that Rev. Kao has gone home to be with the Lord and that, by the grace of God, we will have the privilege of seeing him again one day in Heaven. We will join him in an “everlasting life” in the kingdom of God.
We know that you not only join us in this loss, but also in the celebration of a life that was used by God to bless many people. We were blessed and fortunate to have known him.
In God's Love,
Nelson Kung
"We little knew that morning that God called your name.
In life we love you dearly,
In death we do the same.
It broke our hearts to lose you,
You did not go alone,
For part of us went with you,
The day God called you home,
You left us peaceful memories,
Your love is still our guide.
And though we cannot you,
you are always at our side.
Our family chain is broken, and nothing seems the same,
But as God calls us one by one,
the chain will be linked again."
Please find attached my sharing and celebration?of Rev. Kao's life,
Prayerfully thank for His humble servant,
Francis, WTCCC
Like many others, we have been blessed to have known and been touched by Rev. (Dr.) John Kao. In his almost four scores sojourn on this earth, Rev. Kao was a humble servant-leader exemplar par excellence for today’s Chinese Christians.?He was a modern-day Apostle Paul. Just like Paul, the LORD mightily used Rev. Kao and richly blessed his many ministries, serving the LORD our God around the globe. Although he experienced physical trials, God’s grace was always sufficient for him, for God’s power is made perfect in weakness for which Rev. Kao drew upon the Lord for strength. Many people would have given up, but Rev. Kao echoed Paul in that for him, “to live is Christ and to die is gain.” We have been blessed because God allowed him to keep on living in the body for almost eight decades. Today we rejoice in the LORD for Rev. Kao is now in the presence of the almighty God.
Wes Wong & Sonia Wong
We are saddened to learn the news of the passing away of our beloved pastor Rev. John Kao whom was our mentor and good friend. May God's promises daily strengthen Mrs. Esther Kao's faith, and may His presence give you peace through this difficult time. The Kao's family are in our hearts, our thoughts, and our prayers.
Alexander & Maggie Chan
Rev.Kao is a faithful servant of God. Even though I have only chatted with him a few times, I had heard his timely prophetic messages to the churches many times. I had the privilege of serving with Fred years ago in Winter Conference and am confident that the spirit of faithful servanthood is continued!
This is a time of grief for the family, the Lord knows your grief. You are in our thoughts and prayers. This is a great loss to both the Kao's family and the Chinese churches. May the Lord grant you peace that transcends understanding. As coworkers in missions, COCM U.K. also send their condolences.
Sincerely and in Christ,
Howard Ngan
Dear Mrs Kao,
I'm very sad to learn that Rev. Kao has passed away as he's a close friend, and a faithful servant in the Lord with a lot of ministries. While very sad, I am deeply sorry that I won't be able to attend his memorial service as I am in Hong Kong now.
Please take good care and I am sure we will all reunite in Him when the Lord comes again.
In Christ,
Rev. Philip Kwong