Being back in Toronto for 2 years, it took me quite a while to open my eyes and observe God’s presence. Though we are in our end times with all these upside-down values such as people turning away from Christ, the promotion of “political correctness”, it is such a blessing to still notice God’s presence within us and the church. Growing at Chinese Gospel Church, I was able to see God’s work being done in the church during this short span of just 2 years. What a blessing!

Christ loved the church so much that He gave Himself up for the church (Ephesians 5:25). Since the church is made of sinners like me, every church has its problems and that only makes me believe even more in Scripture as we can observe that no church is perfect (the first few chapters of Revelations). However, nothing should prevent us from working hard in an attempt to make the church perfect and to bring Glory to God.

After being in and out other churches from time to time visiting, I have noticed a trend that is present in Chinese churches in Canada, it’s that we are very conservative. There is nothing really wrong with that, until you get to the point where you limit God’s ability. It can be observed especially during discussions on the Holy Spirit, as quite a few Chinese churches have a tendency to believe that the Holy Spirit only speaks to us through Scripture. Some claim that they have never heard the Holy Spirit speak to them in other ways. I believe that these people need to open up their eyes and ears, as the Holy Bible stated:

But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear. — Matthew 13:16 (NIV 1984)

The Holy Spirit spoke to so many people in the Bible in so many amazing ways, if we did not have the Holy Spirit, we wouldn’t even have the Bible as the Bible was written by witnesses inspired by the Holy Spirit! I understand that there is an argument that many avoid taking the risk because they don’t want to look like some sort of false prophet like Benny Hinn or some extremist crazy Pentecostal Church. And I emphasize the word extremist because not all Pentecostal churches are full of people who scream and shout and speak in tongues, disrupting service, etc. I would stress that it is only a minority that are like that, and if you don’t believe me, go visit one and you’ll see! The Holy Bible has never commanded us to neglect the Holy Spirit but to test the spirit, due to the existence of false prophets (1 John 4:1).

Therefore, I am praying for Chinese churches in Canada to be more filled with the Holy Spirit, which puts us on fire and gives us a passion to serve. I am also praying for unity between Chinese churches such that we will all serve alongside each other as the body of Christ. I have heard many stories and rumours of churches not cooperating due to some foolish church politics, and also some secondary doctrines, which should not cause disunity among churches at all. How wonderful it is to see brothers and sisters of Christ serving alongside each other, each bringing glory to God! As Proverbs 27:17 states, As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another. As we serve and bring glory to God alongside each other, we are sharpening each other! Praise the Lord!

Therefore, I pray that God will lead us to all work as a body of Christ for we are ambassadors for Christ. This is not limited to churches, but also on campus fellowships and ministries too. We are made in the image of God and nonbelievers do tend to generalize us and observe our lifestyles. We directly show God’s love through our love to others as we inherited love through Him.

“‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’ — Matthew 6:9-13 (NIV 1984)

God Bless You All and look forward to serving with you.