認識台灣基督長老教會大溫哥華迦南教會About TPCC
台灣基督長老教會大溫哥華迦南教會的前身,迦南台灣基督長老教會成立於1998年9月27日。隨著海外移民的熱潮,1990年 代移居大溫哥華地區的台灣人有五、六萬之多,此地區有十餘所台灣人的教會,但以台語為禮拜使用語言的教會有三至四家,其聚會人數合計約三、四百人之多。若與多達百間講華語及廣東話的教會比較,確實不成比率。這些都在在證明海外移民的教會有很大的潛在增長力,福音工作的需要性也甚殷切。
在這種實際的需求與機會中,為要讓基督福音能在台灣人移民中宣揚出去,並照顧牧養移民來此地的我臺灣基督長老教會的會友,讓大家能以我們的母語和最熟悉且溫馨的敬拜方式來敬拜上帝,並堅信「耶穌基督為唯一的拯救」的信仰,因而設立「迦南臺灣基督長老教會」,以〝加拿大〞之音意取名「迦南」(英文名稱為 Taiwan Presbyteri
an Church in Canada) 。
本會在主後一九九八年九月二十七日起,在溫哥華市借用一所白人的長老教會禮拜堂開始聚會。成立之後,積極從事關懷牧養台灣移居本地的基督徒,以及帶領尚未認識耶穌基督的台灣人成為基督徒。為了建立一間真正具有台灣人特色的教會,除了與在台灣的「台灣基督長老教會」保持緊密的聯繫之外,也確立以「臺灣基督長老教會信仰告白」為本教會之信仰告白,並參照「臺灣基督長老教會總會」之法規,以本教會實際之情況與需要,摘要訂定經會員和會通過本教會現行法規,作為確立本教會的組織及行政法源。並且堅持以台灣人的母語為禮拜的共通語言,以台灣教會傳統的禮拜儀式與程序為聚會的內涵,使許多置身在國外的基督徒和慕道友,都能夠在這教會充分享受到「家鄉」與「家庭」的甜蜜、溫馨、及上帝的愛。在2003年二月十六日上午禮拜中,由台灣基督長老教會台南中會特派小會議長戴馨德牧師宣佈,正式成為台灣基督長老教會總會屬下國外宣教的一間堂會。教會名稱更改為"台灣基督長老教會大溫哥華迦南教會"
In 1972 the Canadian Presbyterian Church Mission Board sent Dr. George Leslie MacKay as a missionary to Taiwan. Since then, Taiwan and its society have been greatly developed and blessed. Interestingly, over a hundred year later, the seeds of the gospel were carried back to Canada. In 1990s, many Taiwanese migrated to Greater Vancouver. Responding to the need for spiritual growth and mission work among the Taiwanese immigrants, On September 20, 1998, a Taiwanese speaking congregation was established and named Taiwanese Presbyterian Church in Canada. Frank Tsai was its first minister, followed by Rev. Simon Hung, the present incumbent. The church buildings of Faith Presbyterian Church (in Vancouver), St. Paul United Church (in Burnaby), Finnish Bethel Church and Mission Center (in Richmond) were used for Sunday services and other activities. We own our chapel at 1901 E 41st Ave Vancouver since June 2011 to accommodate our church services and programs. With God’s grace, our church – Taiwanese Presbyterian Church in Canada has grown despite several moves. Now many programs are conducted – Sunday Taiwanese service, English worship service, Sunday School, Youth Group District, Women's Fellowship, Agage Fellowship, Career Group Fellowship, Bible Study Groups and choir.