(Please click here for the Chinese version)

Dear Friends of Asian and Multicultural Ministries in Canada (AMMiC),

The disciples all saw Jesus and were terrified. But immediately he spoke to them, and said, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.” And he got into the boat with them, and the wind ceased. And they were utterly astounded.
Mark 6:50-51 ESV

As of July, COVID-19 outbreak in Canada West (BC and Alberta) is gradually trending downward. Seeing significant progress in vaccination (for example, over 80% of BC residents aged 12 and up have had at least one dose), Provincial Health Officers are confident to lift restrictions and move ahead with restart plans. Churches can now resume Sunday worship services and gatherings, and AMMiC churches are gradually reopening. Good Shepherd Vancouver, for instance, after a 6-month lockdown has resumed in-person worship services in July, and within 3 weeks Sunday attendance has increased from 100 to 200. We thank the Lord for bringing over 20 seekers to our Sunday service, and the Wednesday outreach (cooking class ministry) is well received by the community. The Holy Spirit convinces us that God is still at work during the pandemic, spreading the gospel of his Kingdom.

For this reason, the AMMiC Board of Directors resolved to hold an in-person annual fundraising dinner this year on Thursday, September 23, at 5:30 pm (dinner at 6:00 pm) Pacific Time. We will gather together to give thanks to God and witness about his works of wonder during the pandemic. The AMMiC ministry sharing will include: (1) Progress of the Mandarin Ministry Seminars and Mission; (2) AMMiC 2021-22 Church Planting Project; and (3) Launching of a Youth Musical platform to reach new immigrants from Hong Kong.

We are pleased to have Mr. Willie Chan, an experienced chef in Western cuisine, together with his cooking class students, serve delicious Italian dishes on the fundraising dinner. Food handling and meal serving protocols will meet health and safety standards to ensure that our guests will fully enjoy the evening without cause for concern. Continue reading →

The Rt. Rev. Stephen Leung, Area Bishop for Asian and multicultural ministries, Anglican Network in Canada, was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Divinity Degree by Wycliffe College at the 2021 Convocation (to be held via Zoom).  Bishop Stephen is a graduate of Wycliffe College.  Honorary degrees was also be conferred on the Most Rev. Mouneer Anis, Archbishop of the Anglican Province of Alexandria and Bishop of Egypt, and the Rt. Rev. Annie Ittoshat, Suffragan Bishop, the Anglican Diocese of the Arctic.

The conferral of honorary degrees took place on Tuesday, May 18^th at 12:00-1:30pm EDT / 9:00-10:30am PDT.  The event featured an address delivered by the Most Rev. Mouneer Anis on the theme of “The Vocation of a Minority Church in a Multicultural Context,” and a response by the Rt. Rev. Stephen Leung, followed by a moderated panel discussion with the honorary degree recipients.  Please continue to pray for the honorands.

More information about this event online can be found on the Wycliffe College: https://www.wycliffecollege.ca/about/news-media/wycliffe-college-announces-honorary-degree-recipients-may-2021-convocation

You can also watch the replay of the Conferral of Honorary Degrees on Wycliffe College’s YouTube Channel.

2021 Ash Wednesday Live Stream Service

Asian and Multicultural Ministries in Canada will be live streaming the 2021 Ash Wednesday Service at 7:30 pm (Pacific Time) on February 17, 2021. This service will be in English and Chinese. You can go to www.ammic.ca for the link or use http://tiny.cc/2021AMMiC_AshWednesday. We invite all brothers and sisters to join and mark the start of the Lent season.

The Service will start at 7:30 PM Pacific Time.

There are now 3 methods that you can donate if you would like to support the AMMiC ministries financially:

1. By e-transfer
2. By Cheque
3. By online Credit Card donation

Please go to the AMMiC Donate page for more details.

Dear Friends of Asian and Multicultural Ministries in Canada (AMMiC),

The Lord said to Paul, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” 2 Corinthians 12:9a ESV

AMMiC’s Conviction during the Pandemic

As we all know, since the start of this year, the COVID-19 pandemic has seriously impacted almost every sector of life, be it personal, family, education, economy, political or social interactions. Churches and mission organizations are not exempt. The majority of church worship and fellowship activities have gone online for health and safety reasons. However, as we stay “virtual” for a longer time without in-person interactions, we come to realize that “in-person” relation cannot be replaced by “virtual” exchange. Just as parents cannot satisfy children’s need for love by mere audio-visual communication, nor can lovers sustain their relationship in a virtual manner. “Togetherness” is simply irreplaceable. This is because in God’s creation of the world and humankind, life’s meaning and fulfilment come from in-person relatedness and togetherness; even as God himself dwells among us through the incarnated Jesus Christ, “full of grace and truth” (John 1:14b). The good news of the Christian faith is “togetherness,” “God with us.”

For this conviction, although an annual fundraising dinner cannot be held (as the BC health officer advises against mass banquets), the AMMiC Board of Directors resolved to hold an in-person and livestream fundraising gathering this year, on Saturday, October 3, at 11:00 am to 12:00 noon Pacific Time (2:00-3:00 pm Eastern Time). AMMiC will give thanks for God’s grace over the 10 years that have passed, with ministry sharing of our online children’s outreach during the pandemic, the steady development of Mandarin mission, and perseverant ministering to the visible minorities in Canada.

We host the gathering both in-person and livestream because we want to manifest the duality of Jesus’ gospel: his incarnation (in-person) and transcendence over time and space (after his resurrection), which expresses the human and divine nature of the gospel. Since May, Good Shepherd Vancouver (now holding 3 in-person Sunday services each week) have experienced first-hand the revival of the Christian community through serving together in collaboration and mutual support, which brings much joy and enthusiasm. I named this mode of ministry during the pandemic “walking on two legs” that brings about synergistic fellowship life.

How do I give?

Financially speaking, as in previous years, AMMiC has just had enough for our needs last year. Although some church plants are brought down during the pandemic, the majority of AMMiC churches have positive outlook. Nona and I are hopeful yet watching, because we trust God has his will and special mission for us in these challenging times, and we decide to increase our yearly donation to $12,000. The AMMiC fundraising target stays at CAD $150,000 (that provides for AMMiC staff remuneration, leadership training, and funding for new church planting).

The October 3rd in-person ministry sharing and fundraising event will be held at the Anglican Network Church of the Good Shepherd Vancouver, 189 West 11^th Avenue, Vancouver, BC. Please RSVP to our invitation by email to fundraising@ammic.ca or by phone to 604-303-1135 (maximum seating is 50). If you are not available to attend in-person, you are very welcome to watch the streaming on AMMiC’s YouTube channel or you can find the link on our website, www.ammic.ca.

Please send your donation by cheque made out to AMMiC, mailed to 160-4611 No. 6 Road, Richmond, BC, V6V 2L3. We are in the process of setting up Interac e-Transfer, please contact AMMiC staff members or check the www.ammic.ca/donate for details.

Thank you for your partnership in the gospel.

With every blessing in Christ,

The Rt. Rev. Stephen Leung
Area Bishop (Asian and Multicultural Ministries), Anglican Network in Canada
President, Asian and Multicultural Ministries in Canada
Rector, Anglican Network Church of the Good Shepherd