10/27/2019
A couple of weeks ago we Celebrated Reverend Jonathan Kaan's 66th years in global ministry & book giving
**English below**
滿地可見証會後記 (2019.10.18)
2019年10月12日是非常繁忙的一天，早上8:30從渥太華出發去滿地可，趕上參加迦南團為我舉辦的慶生會，平時用副堂，當日因擺好叙餐，改在正堂，剛好人多合用了。我給大家分享了些近事，並且秋天是欣賞自然，享受天恩的好時光，不好錯過，還要關心世情世事，如香港、加拿大選舉等事，為事祈禱，我們便能享受到平安無事的度日。
晚上大會，是這次活動的中心，一早來參加節目的人，都到齊了進行排演，教會預了晚餐招待。大會開始有區主任及法語同工出席，和其他堂會的同工會友，還有渥太華來的詩班，從多倫多回來的前會友，更有自洛杉機回來的方叔慶長老夫婦，有些人是兩次、三次的出席，他們的關心，他們的付出，情重千斤，非常感激。各項程序如次舉行，舞蹈唱詩、表演讀經、朗誦詩文配上〝去遠方〞詩歌，由作者小浩姊妹序述，都是這次突出的項目，十分感人，給整個大會增光生色，本來滿地可堂的佈置已經一流。還印行「一脈相傳」傳記單本。
此次主題「務要傳道」，這是保羅的遺囑，更是主耶穌升天前的最後吩咐使命，「往普天下去傳福音給萬民聽。」主耶穌的救恩福音，是今日的救世良葯，路加醫生寫路加福音，他注意人對救恩的反應，路2:29西面說：「主啊！如今可以釋放你的僕人安然去世，因為我的眼睛已經看見了你的救恩。」程序上的幾位見証人，一位沒有出席，用錄音播出，他是越南教會辦的福幼園收養兒童，他父親有近10個兒女，照顧不來，交教會幫助；另外的圖片展出的幾個，當時在福幼園是兒童，今日都已經是老人了。福幼園遇事時，他們逃出死亡，到今年，是整整50年了。越南教會正在本月20日辦65周年堂慶，有許多海外的人回去參加，這是一脈相傳的事工，越南是一脈的一頭，來到滿地可又是另一頭，成為後來的基地，現在滿地可周圍有七、八間堂會，合共起來人數也不少了。我講話盛讚了我的同工陳志誠牧師，他是我得力的拍檔，最佳的翻譯人，連甲乙丙丁都能譯出，可能這次是最後一次了，要是還有，也不會多。陳牧師講但以理，他是神歷史的見証人，經歷尼布甲尼撒到波斯古列。成加慶傳道是老、中、青三代人中的青年，是教會中的新星，訐多人都問他是怎樣來的？他說了由父母感召，給作父母鼓勵，使兒女長成為主使用。每個家庭都可以形成一脈，成為支流，滙流成大河，將宣教傳道這番事業遍佈天下，務要傳道，無論得時不得時總要忍耐，我雖然不配，但我總歡喜用保羅的話說「我離世的日子快到了」，是千真萬確的事，66年已經過去了，還能再來一趟嗎？必須有後繼的人才行，我呼籲，我祈禱。
次日聯合英語祟拜是這趟的創舉，英語會眾是最年青的會眾，青年人素來都是教會的動力，現在的青年人，他們的父母是過去的青年，我是跟他們一起長成的，你們嗎？要起來了！承接傳道大業，聯合起來就是力量，英語華人教會，這個理念是我的遺念，希望得到實現。
感謝許多同工的努力助成前後3次見証會，田嘉禾，渥太華黄振雄都是得力人，還有許多人，不好數了！多謝多謝！願荣耀歸主名！嗄哩璐吔！
Afterthought on the 66th Mission Anniversary & Testimony Event in Montreal (2019. 10. 18) By Rev. Jonathan Kaan
Oct 12, 2019 was truly a busy day. We left Ottawa for Montreal at 8:30 am, so as to catch the birthday party prepared for me by the Canaan fellowship group. The birthday party usually took place in the Fisher Hall, but since lunch was prepared and set up there, so we moved to the sanctuary, where it was just right because we had many people. I shared with brothers and sisters what I was up to as well as the beautiful nature in autumn, which is the best time to enjoy such a heavenly gift. We are also concerned about what happened recently, like the unrest in Hong Kong and the election of Canada. We prayed for all these things so that we can live peacefully while having quiet lives.
The focus was on the evening event. All the participants have arrived early for the rehearsal and dinner was also prepared. Attendees of the event include the Superintendent of the St-Lawrence district, French-speaking co-workers, as well as members and co-workers of other churches. We also had the church choir from Ottawa Chinese Alliance Church, former MCAC members from Toronto and Elder Stephen Fong from Los Angeles. Some of them had already attended the event twice or thrice. I really appreciate the expression of their care and contribution. The program progressed as planned: dancing, singing, scripture reading, and poems recital mingled with the song “Go far” with the accompaniment of a narration by the composer Pastor Alice Ren. Each part was so outstanding and very touching. The church decoration on that night was already excellent, yet MCAC topped it off with the publication - “Inheritance in the Same Vein”.
The theme of my message is “Preach the word”, which was Paul’s final commands as well as the Great Commission from Jesus before His ascension: “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation”. The salvation of Jesus is an antidote for this age. When Dr. Luke wrote the gospel of Luke, he was attentive to people’s reaction to the gospel. Luke 2:29: “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation.” said Simeon. In the planned program, there were several witnesses, one could not attend and so a recording was played instead. She was adopted by the kindergarten run by the church in Vietnam. Her father had almost 10 kids and had a hard time to take care of them all, so he entrusted her to the church. Some of the pictures showed a few others who lived in the kindergarten as well, and now they are all seniors. When the kindergarten collapsed exactly 50 years ago, they were able to escape from death. The church in Vietnam will celebrate its 65th anniversary on the 20th this month and many will return from overseas for the occasion, this is a ministry that was inherited in the same vein. Vietnam is the beginning of this vein and reached out to Montreal, which had become another base. Now Montreal has seven to eight churches in and around the city and all these churches together have quite a number of members. That night, I also commended Reverend Thomas Chan, my co-worker as well as my best partner and interpreter, as he can easily translate anything and everything. This might be the last time to be interpreted by him, even if it is not, chances that we can come together again are slim. Reverend Chan talked about Daniel who was a historical witness of God and had gone through different regimes from King Nebuchadnezzar to Cyrus of Persia. Pastor Joseph Cherng is the youngest generation out of the three generations of pastors and also the up-and-coming in the church circle. Many people asked how he became a pastor and he said his parents inspired him. This is a reminder for all our parents where it is our duty to raise our kids in such a way that God can use them one day. Every family can become a vein or a stream and then become a river when they converge and then we can minister to the whole world: preach the word, whether in season or not and with great patience. Although I can hardly be comparable to Paul, I like to quote his words: the time for my departure is near. It is true. Sixty-six years have come and gone, can we do it once again? No, we need successors. This is my proclamation and my prayer.
The joint English worship on the next day was the first-ever of its kind. The English congregation is the youngest generation and they have always been the force of the church. Their parents used to be the youths of the church and we matured together. Now what about you? Rise and carry on the ministry! When we all join together, we can become an overwhelming force. To establish an English-speaking Chinese church is on my bucket list and I hope one day it will be done.
I want to thank all the co-workers who have made all three meetings a success. Wilfred Tin and James Wong from OCAC are very capable, and of course, there are many others whom I can’t name them one by one. Thank you! To God be the glory! Hallelujah!
