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River

2023.09.23/24

From the Pastor’s Desk :Rev. Raphael Chow

Dear brothers and sisters of RCAC,

Rivers possess an enchanting charm that lures the human heart and purifies the soul. Whether it’s the thick morning mist before the dawn, the unhurried murmur of the flowing water, the crystal-clear depths revealing the river’s secrets, or the company of reeds and water grasses basking in the evening glow, rivers always have a way of affecting the passersby, causing them to hasten their steps, slow down, or even paused their journeys. In springtime, rivers awaken the trees, grasses, and wildflowers on their banks, signaling the start of a new year. As summer rains arrive, rivers change, sometimes broadening and sometimes narrowing, flowing with urgency and then tranquility, inspiring people to remain vigilant. In the season of autumn, with leaves ablaze in shades of crimson, the river slows down, enjoying the harvest season. Even in the depths of winter, when all seems to wither, the river continues its ceaseless journey, never resting. Rivers, ever-flowing, nurture the land, fostering lush vegetation, adorning trees in grandeur, offering a home for fish, and providing shelter for soaring birds. In the peaceful presence of their flowing waters, turbulent hearts find tranquility, allowing them to release all worldly troubles and focus on the grace and love of the Divine.

In the Bible, rivers evoke a sense of tranquility and the gift of life. Rivers held profound importance for the Israelites, primarily because the land of Israel itself lacked abundant rivers. While the wilderness stretched far and wide, rivers were a rarity within the borders of Israel. In contrast, regions to the south, such as Egypt, or to the east, like Babylon, boasted numerous rivers. Israel had but one significant river in the east—the Jordan River. Spanning an average width of about 100 feet and depths ranging from 3 to 10 feet, the Jordan River was enveloped by luxuriant vegetation and was home to around 30 different species of fish. Indeed, the Jordan River symbolized the wellspring of life.

In the Old Testament, the Lord used rivers as symbols of fulfilling the human heart. He declared, ” I will make rivers flow on barren heights, and springs within the valleys. I will turn the desert into pools of water, and the parched ground into springs.” (Isaiah 41:18). The Lord promised to personally quench the thirst of human hearts, just as He would cause rivers to flow amidst the desert. The original meaning of this “river” is flowing water teeming with life. In the New Testament, Jesus Christ issued a universal call: “37… Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. 38 Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” (John 7:37-38). For those whose souls are parched, they can turn to Jesus Christ in faith. In doing so, Jesus pledged that their souls would be sated, filled with peace (John 16:33) and joy (John 16:24), and graced with eternal life (John 3:16). Moreover, this is a mighty river that gushes forth from the depths of the heart, becoming a wellspring of life. However, the condition is “faith”: to believe, to receive, and to wholeheartedly follow the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. Mere knowledge and acknowledgment without will not yield the fulfillment of Jesus’ promise; it would be akin to stagnant, lifeless water incapable of bringing life to its surroundings. But for those who believe in the Lord Jesus and follow His lead, obediently heeding His commandments, a new life is assured, a radiant existence awaits, and glory is brought to His name.

May your life flow like a river of living water, transforming deserts into pools of life wherever you tread. May God be glorified through you.

Your servant in Christ,
Pastor Raphael Chow

河流

2023.09.23/24

親愛的列宣家弟兄姊妹:

河流的魅力誘動人心,也洗滌人心。無論是晨曦前的厚厚霧靄,或不徐不疾的潺潺水聲,或清澈見底的淙淙水流,或相伴晚霞的蘆葦水草,總是令過路客急速的步伐,或緩下或停下,甚至忘返。春至,河兒喚醒兩岸樹草野花,提醒人們一年之計開始;夏雨至,河變得時寛時窄,時急時緩,啟迪人們警醒努力;在紅葉之秋,河慢下來了,欣賞著人們忙碌的收取莊稼;冬至,萬物凋零,河仍然不斷的在流動,並未歇息。河,總是滋潤着大地,讓水草可以茂盛,樹木能以壯麗,魚兒也能有窩,飛鳥得以棲息。在盈盈流水面前安靜,更能把人的亂心掃去,使人把一切的煩擾放下,尊注於父神的恩典及慈愛。

聖經中的河流,讓人想到旣寧靜又賦予生命的特質。河流對於以色列人甚為重要,相信是因為以色列境內並沒有很多河流。以色列地河流不多,曠野卻不少。不像南方的埃及,或東方的巴比倫等地,有不少的大河。在以色列國境,主河是東方的約但河。約但河平均寛約100呎,深3至10呎不等。約但河兩岸樹木茂密,內中有30種魚類。約但河的確象徵生命之源。

在舊約中,耶和華神以河流作為滿足人心的象徵。耶和華神宣告說祂要行奇事 “18 我要在光禿的高處開闢江河,在山谷之間開闢泉源;我要使曠野變為水池,使乾地變成水泉。”(賽41.18)。耶和華神要親自滿足人乾渴的心,如同在沙漠中開江河。這“江河”的原意是流動的河水,是充滿生命力的水流。在新約中,耶穌基督向所有人呼籲:“37b人若渴了,可以到我這裡來喝!38信我的人,就像聖經所說的,從他的腹中要湧流出活水的江河來。”。人若心靈乾渴,可以來到耶穌基督前,相信祂。如此,耶穌應許說,這人的心靈必得滿足,生命必然充滿平安(約16.33) 及喜樂(約16.24),也必然得着永生 (約3.16)。不但如此,這是一條大河,要從心中湧出,成為生命之源。但當中的條件是“信”: 相信接受又全心全意遵行主耶穌基督的一切教訓。若只是知道,承認,而沒有行動,恐怕耶穌基督的應許還是不能得到,也只能好像不會流動的死水,沒有生命,也不能為任何環境帶來生命。但若然相信主耶穌,又跟從祂,遵行祂的吩咐,就必定得着新的生命,活出充滿光輝的新生活,榮耀主名。

願你的生命如同活水江河,在你凡到之處,沙漠曠野也成為江河水泉。願神在你身上得着榮耀。

主僕,
周力行牧師

Knowing Jesus, aligning with His heart

2023.09.16/17

From the Pastor’s Desk: Rev. Collins Kung

Dear brothers and sisters of RCAC,

Looking back at the 3rd season, we have completed the selected reading of the book of Genesis from the Old Testament. We have learnt God’s creation, the fall of man, God’s salvation, the covenant between God and man – Noah, Abraham… and the ultimate redemption pointed to Abraham’s descendants, Jesus Christ the son of David.  Beginning in October, we go back to the New Testament and enter the 4th season of the sermon series – Selected Readings from the Gospel of Luke: Knowing Jesus, aligning with His heart.  From the book of Luke we learn to know Jesus and understand His heart.

The following are the scriptures we have selected. Let me make some introductions for everyone to study together:

  • Luke 4:1-13 : Jesus Christ was tempted by the devil before he began his ministry. Why did Heavenly Father make such an arrangement? What does Jesus’ ability to overcome the temptation of the devil mean to mankind as a whole and to us?
  • Luke 6:1-11 : During the course of His ministry, Jesus often clashed with the religious leaders, especially regarding the commandment to keep the Sabbath. He overturned the order established by them. Jesus declared that the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath. In the eyes of Jesus, how can we keep the Sabbath be in line with God’s will?
  • Next, we will study Jesus’ subversive teachings in three preachings: the Sermon on the Plain from the book of
  • Luke 6:17-26 : blessings and woe? He said: “Blessed are you who are poor… Blessed are you who hunger now… But Woe to you who are full now”, which seems have reversed the understanding of the mankind. Let’s learn from Jesus’ teachings and learn to follow Him.
  • Luke 6:27-36 Jesus also said: “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,” According to Jesus’ teachings, how should we treat our enemies? Is it really feasible in real life?
  • Luke 6:37-42 Jesus taught us not to judge: “Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.” What does it mean to judge someone? What’s the point?
  • Luke 7:36-50, talks about a sinful woman anointing Jesus’ feet with perfume. Yet Jesus did not drive her away, but declared her sins to be forgiven, and we will learn the forgiving Lord from this.
  • Luke 10:25-36, a lawyer stood up to test Jesus, but Jesus used the parable of the Good Samaritan to point out the man’s blind spots. Jesus used this parable to make us think about who is our neighbour? Let us know how to practice loving our neighbor.
  • Luke 11:1-13, the disciples asked Jesus to teach them how to pray. Let us learn from Jesus, the praying Lord.
  • Luke 14:25-35, Jesus challenged those who walked with Him, “If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple..” Is Jesus demanding too much? He wants to point out to his followers that He is the One who above all priorities.
  • Luke 15:11-32, we will read the parable of the prodigal son, understand the heart of the Heavenly Father, and learn to align with the heart of the Lord. The Lord does not want anyone to perish, but wants everyone to repent.
  • In December, we will study the message of the Messiah and prepare for the birth of the Savior. We have selected Luke 1:26-38, the angel Gabriel’s prophecy about the Savior, and Luke 2:22-40, Simeon’s prophecy about the Savior.

Let us study together, learn together, “Knowing Jesus, aligning with His heart!”

Your servant in Christ,
Pastor Collins Kung

深識耶穌,切合主心

2023.09.16/17

親愛的列宣家弟兄姊妹:

回顧第三季,我們已完成舊約創世記的選讀,我們看了神的創造,人的墮落,神的拯救,神人立約–挪亞,亞伯拉罕… 而終極救贖,指向亞伯拉罕的後裔,大衛的子孫耶穌基督。

從10月開始,我們回到新約,進入第四季的講道系列 — 路加福音的選讀:深識耶穌,切合主心。我們從路加福學習認識耶穌,體會祂的心腸。

以下是我們選讀的經文,讓我作一些簡介,讓大家一同學習:

  • 路4:1-13記載耶穌基督未開始傳道事工,便要受魔鬼的試探,天父為甚麼有這樣的安排?耶穌能勝過魔鬼的試探,對整個人類,對我們有甚麼意義?
  • 路6:1-11在傳道過程中,主耶穌常常與宗教領袖發生衝突,特別在守安息日的誡命上,祂顛覆了他們所確立的秩序。耶穌宣稱人子是安息日的主,究竟在耶穌眼中,如何守安息日才合神心意呢?
  • 跟著,我們會分三講研讀耶穌顛覆性的教導:路加所記載的平地寶訓。
  • 路6:17-26在論福與禍當中,祂說:「貧窮的人有福了…飢餓的人有福了…卻說:飽足的人有禍了」,好像顛倒了人所理解道理,讓我們學習耶穌的教導,學習跟從祂。
  • 路6:27-36耶穌又說:「當愛你們的仇敵,善待恨你們的人。」按著耶穌的教導,我們該怎樣對待我們的仇敵呢?在實際生活上,真的可行嗎?
  • 路6:37-42耶穌教導我們不要判斷人:「你們不要判斷人,就必不受判斷;不要定人的罪,就必不被定罪;要饒恕人,就必蒙饒恕」 怎樣才算是判斷人?這是甚麼道理?
  • 路7:36-50,我們會看一個有罪的女人,用香膏抹耶穌的腳,耶穌卻沒有驅趕她,反而宣告她罪得赦免,我們從中認識這位寬恕的主。
  • 路10:25-36,有一個律法師起來試探耶穌,耶穌卻以好撒瑪利亞人的比喻,指出這人的盲點,耶穌設這比喻,叫我們思考誰是我們的鄰舍?讓我們懂得如何實踐愛鄰舍。
  • 路11:1-13,門徒請求耶穌教導他們如何禱告,讓我們從耶穌身上學習這位禱告的主。
  • 路14:25-35,耶穌挑戰與祂同行的人,「如果有人到我這裡來,愛我不超過愛自己的父母、妻子、兒女、兄弟、姊妹,甚至自己的性命,就不能作我的門徒。」耶穌的要求是否過分?祂要向跟從的人指出,祂是那位超越一切優先次序之主。
  • 路15:11-32,我們會看浪子的比喻,體會天父的心懷,學習與主的心看齊吻合,主不願有一人沉淪,乃願人人都悔改。
  • 來到12月,我們會看彌賽亞的信息,預備救主降生,我們選讀了路1:26-38天使加百列對救主的預言及路2:22-40西面對救主的預言。

讓我們一起研讀,一起學習,深識耶穌,切合主心!

主僕,
龔敏光牧師

Pastoral Voice

September 9/10, 2023

RCAC Pastor’s Desk Article – Pastor Alex Poon

Dear brothers and sisters of RCAC,

David declared in Psalm 116:1-2, “I love the Lord, because He has heard my voice and my pleas for mercy. Because He inclined His ear to me, therefore I will call on Him as long as I live.”

I recently returned from a cruise. It was the best time. We ate at the buffet each morning and lunch, but for dinner we visited the main dining hall. Imagine white linen clothes, white upholstered wooden chairs, waiters dressed in vests and tie, beautiful oil paintings hung on the walls, and a grand chandelier reminiscent to the dinner scene of the Titanic. But it was the food that captured my attention, more so, it was the availability. “What do you mean… I can order one more steak?”, “I can have two more shrimp cocktails and three more slices of cake… and walk away without being handed a bill?”

Never in my life have I had two steaks for dinner. Perhaps the reason is a good ribeye usually costs more than $20 and my wallet tells me it’s not a good idea, or perhaps my stomach simply just usually can’t handle it.

Here I was, receiving my favorite food, and having the opportunity for more, and more… if only I had the capacity. I could keep asking, and the waiter would keep giving.

David has faced turmoil and deep suffering in his life. He speaks of it in verse 3, “The snares of death encompassed me; the pangs of Sheol laid hold on me; I suffered distress and anguish”. It was like death had gripped him in the vices of its sharp fangs. It was like David was ensnared, caught in the trap set by death. Have you ever felt that way? Incaved in sharp and painful suffering?

David’s words do not end there – thankfully! “Then I called on the name of the Lord: ‘O Lord, I pray, deliver my soul!’ Gracious is the Lord, and righteous; our God is merciful.” Oh, what good news! David can turn to the Lord for help, he can call upon His name for saving, and God will deliver for David and for us!

When you are in your distress – you may call upon the name of the right and gracious Lord!

Then He will turn His ear to you! Our God will not only hear your pleas from a distance, but He will press in, He will incline His ear to you! He will lean into your voice, as if to show you that He is indeed listening attentively to your crying pleas. You are not ignored! He has not abandoned you, our God has not muted your voice. He has not turned the volume dial down as if you have annoyed Him – no, our God has attentively, drawn His ear closer to you still!

So, what must you do in response? Love the Lord and take more from the Lord!

For David asks, “What shall I render to the Lord for all his benefits to me?”

David answers his own question and declares, “I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the Lord, I will pay my vows to the Lord in the presence of all his people.”

When David needs more from the Lord, he remembers who has given him salvation, then he calls for more of the Lord!

We can render nothing in return to the Lord. We can give to Him nothing back for the benefits we gain from Him. We can return to Him no favor, as if we could “owe Him one”. We can do no such thing! There is no work we are capable of to exchange His benefit for ours – for we benefit from Him in ways that far exceed His benefitting of us. What need would our Almighty Creator God have for us, His creation? Nothing! But this is who He is; gracious and kind. He is loving and generous with His mercy and care. He is for you, and not against you.

David’s declarations remind us that we can be assured that our Lord is delighted, joyed even when His children press in to depend on Him further, and further still. Call upon His name!

Your servant in Christ,
Pastor Alex Poon

教牧心聲

2023.09.09/10

親愛的列宣家弟兄姊妹:  

大衛在詩篇116:1-2宣告:“我愛耶和華,因為他聽了我的聲音、我的懇求。因為他留心聽我的懇求,我一生一世要求告他。”

我最近從遊輪回來。那是最好的時光。我們每天早上和午餐都吃自助餐,但晚餐我們會在餐廳主樓進餐。想像一下,全白色的枱布,白色的椅套,穿著背心打領帶的服務員,牆上掛著美麗的油畫,還有讓人想起泰坦尼號晚餐場景的宏偉吊燈。但吸引我注意的是食物,更重要的是任點任食。“這是甚麼意思?我可以再點一份牛排,兩份凍蝦頭盤和三片蛋糕…然後離開時不用結賬”

我一生中從來沒有吃過兩塊牛排當晚餐。也許原因是一份好的牛排通常要花費 20元以上,而我的錢包告訴我這不是一個好主意,或者也許我的胃通常無法承受。

我在這裡,吃到了我最喜歡的食物,並且有機會吃更多、更多…如果我有能力的話。我可以一直問,服務員就會一直給我。

大衛的一生經歷過動盪和疾苦。他在第3 節說:“死亡的繩索纏繞著我,陰間的痛苦抓住我;我遭遇患難和愁苦。”就好像死亡用鋒利的獠牙抓住了他。大衛就像掉入了陷阱,陷入了死亡的陷阱。你曾否有過這樣的感覺嗎?陷入尖銳而痛苦的折磨之中?

欣慰的是大衛的話並沒有在這裡停止!“那時,我呼求耶和華的名,說:“耶和華啊!求你拯救我。耶和華有恩典,有公義,我們的神滿有憐憫。”這是多麼好的消息啊!大衛轉向主尋求幫助,他奉主名呼求拯救,神定會拯救大衛和我們!

當你處於困境時-你可以向公義、滿有恩典的主呼求!我們的神會聆聽你的呼求!不僅從遠處聆聽你的懇求,他會就近你,側耳聆聽你的呼求、你的聲音,彷彿向你表明祂確實在專心聆聽你哭泣的懇求。你沒有被忽視!我們的上帝沒有拋棄你,也沒有關掉你的聲音。我們的神沒有因為我們的呼求而厭棄我們,祂不厭其煩專心聆聽我們的呼求!

那麼,你會如何回應神呢?就是愛主並從主那裡得到更多!大衛問:“我拿甚麼報答耶和華向我所施的一切厚恩呢?”大衛回答他自己的問題並宣告:“我要舉起救恩的杯,稱揚耶和華的名。我要在耶和華的眾民面前,向他還我所許的願。”當大衛需要從主那裡得到更多時,他會記得是誰給了他救恩,然後他向主呼求更多!

我們沒有甚麼可以報答主。我們無法報答祂給我們的一切厚恩。我們無法報答他任何恩惠,就好像我們“欠祂一個恩惠”一樣。我們怎能作這樣的事!我們沒有東西能夠交換主給我們的厚恩-因為祂給我們的恩惠遠遠超過祂在我們身上得到的益處。全能的造物主上帝對我們這些被造的有什麼需求?沒有什麼!我們的主和藹可親,充滿慈愛和毫無保留地憐恤和關懷我們。祂總是為我們著想,從不敵對我們。

大衛的宣告提醒我們,我們可以肯定,神喜悅我們向祂的呼求,不斷地呼求,高舉祂的名!

主僕,
潘啟華傳道

“Seen” versus “Unseen”

Sep 2/3, 2023

From the Pastor’s Desk: Pastor Jeanie Auyueng

Dear brothers and sisters of RCAC,

Matthew 6 is part of Jesus’ teaching known as “Sermon on the Mount.” In this chapter, Jesus contended against the teachings of his contemporary scholars (scribes) and religious pietists (Pharisees). Judaism in Jesus’ time advocated three things as demonstrations of one’s piety: almsgiving, prayer, and fasting. Jews at that time made every effort to do these things, sometimes just for the sake of showing off. Jesus spoke on the same three things. Nevertheless, he instructed us not to be content with those outward religious conducts, but to seek for a genuine relationship with God (righteousness which exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees). The essence of being a Christian is not to get familiarized with religious rituals or observe religious regulations. It is by no means concerned only with a set of ceremonial rites, but is to pursue a close relationship with God the Father.
“But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you” (Mat 6:6 NIV).
This verse says, “Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you (some manuscripts read ‘will reward you in public’).” “in secret” and “in public,” in other words, are “seen” and “unseen.” Our lives consist of aspects which are seen and aspects which are unseen. This verse is the most important verse in Matthew 6. It reminds us that we should focus on those unseen aspects of life and have a genuine communion with God the Father.
“go into your room, close the door and pray…” This teaches us that when we pray, we should separate ourselves from the outside world, putting aside all worldly thoughts and things so that we can enter into a state to be focused on our communion with God. It is the hardest thing to do in our multitasked daily life.

“Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” The most precious thing to a Christian is God’s willingness to have a close relationship with us. The Father’s reward does not stop at his granting us what we ask for. One way to experience his reward is that when we draw near to him, we receive grace from him, have genuine satisfaction and strength, and are enabled to face all the challenges of life.
What is internal has an impact on what is external. What is “unseen” has an impact on what is “seen.” This is the most important admonition to a Christian. It is the Source by which we overcome temptations and are empowered to live a victorious life. The reason that many times in our lives we fail to live like Jesus is usually that we depart from the Source from which we receive power. Jesus said, “Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me” (John 15:4 NIV).

Let us get into the habit of drawing near to God through prayer each day before we start our mundane work. It is truly rewarding!

Your servant in Christ,
Pastor Jeanie Auyueng

“看得見”與“ 看不見”

2023.09.02/03

親愛的列宣家弟兄姊妹:

馬太福音6章是主耶穌在“登山寶訓”教導的一部份,與當時的經學家(文士)和敬虔的宗教人士(法利賽人)所教導的抗衡。祂針對當時猶太教的教導:敬虔生活有三種表達,分別是施捨、禱告和禁食,但只重外表的實行,更是刻意做給人看。主耶穌藉著這三方面教導我們要跨越外在的敬虔表達,追求與神關係的實在(勝過法利賽人和文士的義)。作為基督徒的真義,不是學習一些宗教禮儀,持守一些宗教規條,而是我們追求與天父的關係,絕不是單單徒有外表的一套儀節。

“你禱告的時候,要進你的內屋,關上門,禱告你在暗中的父;你父在暗中察看,必然報答你。”(太6:6)

這節經文提到:“你父在暗中察看,必然報答你(有古卷:必在明處報答你)”:“暗中”及“明處”英文是“Seen” 和“Unseen”, (即:“看得見”及“ 看不見”)。我們的生活包含了:“看得見”及“看不見”兩方面。這節聖經是馬太福音6章中最重要的提醒/經文,就是我們需要著重在看不見的生活中,與天父有真實的相交。

要進你的內屋,關上門禱告,就是禱告時必須與外界隔絕,從紛擾世情中抽離出來,進入和天父專注的相交,這是在我們整天諸多事務要兼顧中最難做到的。

“你父在暗中察看,必然報答你。”作為基督徒的寶貴就是神樂意與我們親近,“父的報答”其中的一個體驗就是:神不單單成就我們所祈求的,親近神必經歷神的恩典,得著內心的真正滿足與力量,得著能力變面對人生的挑戰。

內在影響外在,“看不見”的影響“看得見”的,這是基督徒生活中最重要的提醒,是我們勝過誘惑,得能力的源頭,活出得勝生活的秘訣。反省我們多少時候不能活出主的樣式,往往是因為離開了得力的源頭。主耶穌說:“常在我裡面的,我也常在他裡面,這人就多結果子;因為離了我,你們就不能做什麼。”(約15:3)

在每天開始一日生活之先,養成禱告親近神的習慣,你必經歷神的賞賜(truly rewarding)!

主僕,
歐陽鑽玲傳道

How should the church respond to the ongoing Hong Kong immigration trend?

August 26/27, 2023

From the Pastor’s Desk – Rev. Francis Chan

Dear brothers and sisters of RCAC,

In churches established by Hong Kong immigrants from the 80s and 90s, the average age of the Cantonese-speaking congregants has been increasing as time goes by. As at now, the average age would be around 60 if not older. Meanwhile, their second, third, and even fourth generations, if they have remained in their church, most of them would have settled in their English-speaking congregation. Given this trend of development, the number of Cantonese-speaking congregants is expected to decrease over time, while the number of English-speaking congregants is projected to increase.

Starting from the latter half of 2020 however, there has been a continuous flow of Hongkongers immigrating or returning to Canada. Since the Canadian government’s “lifeboat program” for Hong Kong residents came into effect on June 8, 2021, a substantial number of Hongkongers have come to Canada through Stream A to study and Stream B to work. As our church is located in one of the cities with the highest number of Hong Kong immigrants, we have naturally attracted many newcomers from Hong Kong. Despite a decrease in physical attendance across our 3 Cantonese-speaking services after COVID, the influx of new Hong Kong immigrants has helped maintain a weekly average of over 600 attendees for our 3 Cantonese-speaking services. For this, we are most thankful to God.

Recently, the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship of Canada (IRCC) announced the relaxation of educational requirements for Stream B work applications from August 15, 2023, until August 31, 2026. Accordingly, any Hongkonger with a valid work permit, regardless of his educational background, regardless of the type of work, can apply for Canadian permanent residence (“PR”) so long as he has either completed one year of fulltime work or accumulated 1,560 hours of parttime work within 3 years. This relaxation also applies to Hongkongers coming to work in Canada through the Working Holiday visa, which is available for those aged 18 to 30 and who have purchased round-trip tickets. Another popular route to obtain work visas is through Stream A. When a married fulltime student receives her study permit through Stream A, her spouse will be eligible to apply for an open work permit. In such a case, even if the fulltime studying spouse is unable to complete the specified course within 2 to 3 years, as long as her spouse begins fulltime work upon arrival and continues for a year, the working spouse will be eligible to apply for PR after completing one year of fulltime work. It follows that whether the studying spouse could eventually complete her course will not affect their family’s immigration plan if her working spouse can successfully applied for PR.

Due to the relatively lenient conditions for work visa applications and the requirement of only one-year fulltime work for PR applications, Canada has recently become the most favored immigration destination for many Hongkongers. Against this backdrop, it is highly likely that more young people and young families from Hong Kong will come to our city in the next 2 to 3 years. As a church established by Hong Kong immigrants, how should we respond to the needs of our brothers and sisters in Christ, as well as those faith seekers from Hong Kong? How can we prepare ourselves to answer God’s calling and fulfill his will?

His Servant
Pastor Francis Chan

教會應該如何回應持續的香港移民潮?

2023.08.26/27 

親愛的列宣家弟兄姊妹:

隨着八、九十年代香港移民老化,由香港移民建立的教會,其廣東話會眾的平均年齡亦與時並進。時至今日,就算不到60歲,也相差不遠。而他們的第二代,第三代,甚至第四代,如果沒有離開自少成長的教會,大部份都已經在教會英語部落地生根。從這個發展趨勢來看,廣東話會眾的人數應該逐漸減少,而英語會眾的人數就應該逐漸增加。

但從2020年下半年開始,不斷有香港人移民或回流加拿大。自從2021年6月8日加拿大政府針對香港人的救生艇計劃生效以來,大量香港人透過Stream A來加讀書,亦有透過Stream B來加工作。我們教會位於其中一個最多香港移民聚居的城市,自然吸引了不少新來的香港人。雖然COVID之後,實體參與教會崇拜的人數有下降趨勢,但得到新來的香港人補充,整體廣東話會眾的每周平均實體崇拜人數,仍然能夠維持在 600人以上。實在感恩。

加拿大移民難民和公民部(IRCC) 較早前宣布,從2023年8月15日直至2026 年8 月31日,放寬透過 Stream B來加工作的學歷要求。任何香港人,不論學歷,不論工作種類,只要循合法途徑來加全職工作滿一年,或者於三年之內能夠兼職工作滿1,560小時,就可以申請成為加拿大永久居民。此計劃亦包括透過工作假期(Working Holiday) 獲得工作簽證來加工作的香港人,而工作假期的申請資格就是年滿18歲不超過30歲,已購買來回機票的人士。另一個熱門獲得工作簽證的渠道,就是透過Stream A來加讀書人士的配偶。所有已婚全時間學生的配偶,一經申請,都會獲得工作簽證。在這情況下,就算全時間學生未能在兩至三年內完成指定課程,只要其配偶一到步就開始全職工作,一年之後,其配偶就可以申請成為永久居民。因此,全時間學生最終能否完成課程,亦不會影響一家人的移民計劃。

由於申請工作簽證條件相對寬鬆,加上申請成為永久居民所要求的工作時間只是短短一年,加拿大現已成為很多香港人最熱衷的移民國家。在這背景下,在未來的兩至三年,應該會有更多香港年青人和年青家庭來到我們的城市。作為一間由香港移民建立的教會,列宣家應該如何回應香港弟兄姊妹和慕道朋友的需要呢?我們又應該如何準備自己,去回應上帝的召命,去滿足上帝的心意呢?

主僕,
陳榮基牧師