Top leaders from the Chinese Coordination Center of World Evangelism (CCCOWE) have attended a special introductory seminar for the first Chinese theological seminary in Canada.
On Feb. 12, some 200 Christians from different Chinese churches in Canada gathered at North York Chinese Baptist Church. Co-organized by Canadian Chinese Theological Seminary and the Canada-based Tyndale Seminary, the seminary aims to highlight the importance of equipping people for the work of His Kingdom in this era. CCCOWE incoming chairman Rev. Morley Lee was invited to speak on the occasion in Mandarin with Dr. Peter Mah translating into Cantonese.
Lee began his speech by stating that "an offering that does not have pain is not a real offering" which was agreed by most of the ministers there. When people first dedicate themselves they may find themselves not willing to devote fully, however, they will become more willing later. He pointed out the importance of self-awareness, they should be proud of their precious identity as the servant of God.
Lee continued by telling the Bible story about how Mosses and Joshua were able to be called the "servant of God" when their lives came to an end. That means only when one serves the Lord faithfully till death, they are deserved to be called the "servant of God."
Lee then briefly listed seven characters that the "servant of God" should possess, including the testimony of spiritual life, a good role model of family relationship, a prophetic vision, the persistence in keeping spiritual standards, the heart of love of a shepherd, the art of teamwork, stewardships and even a pure and transparent relationship between brothers and sisters.
An ideal theological seminary should be able to nurture such kind of missionaries, Lee exhorted.
Lee’s encouraging speech was followed by the address of Rev. Dr. John Kao, who is CCCOWE general secretary and is going to be the first president of the Canadian Chinese Theological Seminary. Kao introduced the first Chinese seminary in Canada that is going to be opened this autumn. Rev. Dr. Francis Tam reported the operating details of the seminary while the managing broad of directors of Association of Canadian Chinese Theological Education (ACCTE) tried to answer the questions of the audience.
At the end of the seminar, the presider Dr. Michael Tsang called all those who were moved to dedicate themselves to the Lord to come to the front. Rev. Dr. Hay Chun Maak, chairman of CCCOWE, then prayed for them.
