Difference between revisions of "Richmond Chinese Mennonite Brethren Church (Richmond, British Columbia, Canada)"

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A planning committee was formed and invited Stephen Chan, then serving in Toronto, to come and lead the work. The Richmond Bethel leaders offered the planning committee two options – to be the Chinese outreach department of Richmond Bethel or to form a separate Chinese [[Mennonite Brethren Church|Mennonite Brethren]] congregation with Richmond Bethel providing financial support for the first half-year. The committee chose the second option.
 
A planning committee was formed and invited Stephen Chan, then serving in Toronto, to come and lead the work. The Richmond Bethel leaders offered the planning committee two options – to be the Chinese outreach department of Richmond Bethel or to form a separate Chinese [[Mennonite Brethren Church|Mennonite Brethren]] congregation with Richmond Bethel providing financial support for the first half-year. The committee chose the second option.
  
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Stephen Chan arrived in June 1990, and the first Sunday worship service took place on 15 July. Three months later, the congregation held its charter service and in 1991 became a member congregation of the [[British Columbia Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches|British Columbia Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches]]. Attendance quickly grew to 90, and the congregation became financially self-supporting on schedule. In 1993, Phebe Chan joined the church as Christian education director. In January 1995, Stephen Chan suffered a serious heart attack. The doctors had given up hopes of his recovery, but every night a team of brothers and sisters took turns praying earnestly for him, and he recovered and returned home. In November, he resigned from all formal pastoral duties, retaining only an advisory role, and in December Peter Mau became senior pastor of the church.
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Stephen Chan arrived in June 1989, and the first Sunday worship service took place on 15 July 1989. Three months later, the congregation held its charter service and in 1991 became a member congregation of the [[British Columbia Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches|British Columbia Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches]]. Attendance quickly grew to 90, and the congregation became financially self-supporting on schedule. In 1993, Phebe Chan joined the church as Christian education director. In January 1995, Stephen Chan suffered a serious heart attack. The doctors had given up hopes of his recovery, but every night a team of brothers and sisters took turns praying earnestly for him, and he recovered and returned home. In November, he resigned from all formal pastoral duties, retaining only an advisory role, and in December Peter Mau became senior pastor of the church.
  
 
In 1996, an agreement was made to expand the existing building to better serve Richmond Bethel Church, Richmond Chinese MB Church and Richmond Christian School. A new $400,000 sanctuary was built between the school building and the existing Richmond Bethel building, which was completed in March 1997.
 
In 1996, an agreement was made to expand the existing building to better serve Richmond Bethel Church, Richmond Chinese MB Church and Richmond Christian School. A new $400,000 sanctuary was built between the school building and the existing Richmond Bethel building, which was completed in March 1997.
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In 2001 about 130 people attended the Cantonese service (which was also translated into Mandarin), and 45 attended the English service. In addition to various fellowship meetings and Sunday school classes, the church had begun Mandarin Bible study classes for new immigrants from Mainland China.
 
In 2001 about 130 people attended the Cantonese service (which was also translated into Mandarin), and 45 attended the English service. In addition to various fellowship meetings and Sunday school classes, the church had begun Mandarin Bible study classes for new immigrants from Mainland China.
  
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In 2010 the congregation had a membership of 205 and an average weekly attendance of 200.
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In 2023 the church worshipped in three languages -- Cantonese, Mandarin, and English.
 +
 
 
= Bibliography =
 
= Bibliography =
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<em>Mennonite Brethren Herald</em> (14 September 1990): 18; (25 April 1996): 13.
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''Mennonite Brethren Herald'' (14 September 1990): 18; (25 April 1996): 13.
  
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"We Are in the Same Family." <em>Mennonite Brethren Herald</em> 40, no. 21 (November 9, 2001). [http://old.mbherald.com/40-21/family.html http://old.mbherald.com/40-21/family.html] (accessed 19 May 2008).
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"We Are in the Same Family." ''Mennonite Brethren Herald'' 40, no. 21 (November 9, 2001). [http://old.mbherald.com/40-21/family.html http://old.mbherald.com/40-21/family.html] (accessed 19 May 2008).
 
= Additional Information =
 
= Additional Information =
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<strong>Address</strong>: 10200 No. 5 Rd., Richmond, BC  V7A 4E5
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'''Address''': 10200 No. 5 Rd., Richmond, BC  V7A 4E5
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'''Phone''': 604-275-1893
  
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<strong>Phone</strong>: 604-275-1893
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'''Website''': https://en.rcmbc.ca/
  
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<strong>Denominational Affiliations:</strong>
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'''Denominational Affiliations:'''
  
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<span class="link-external"><span class="link-external">[http://www.bcmb.org/ British Columbia Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches]</span></span> (1991-present)
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<span class="link-external">[http://www.bcmb.org/ British Columbia Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches]</span> (1991-present)
  
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<span class="link-external"><span class="link-external">[http://www.mbconf.ca/ Canadian Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches]</span></span> (1991-present)
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[http://www.mennonitebrethren.ca/ Canadian Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches] (1991-present)
  
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[[General Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches|General Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches of North America]] (1991-2003)
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[[General Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches|General Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches]] (1991-2002)
  
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<h3>Richmond Chinese Mennonite Brethren Church Ministers</h3>
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=== Richmond Chinese Mennonite Brethren Church Ministers ===
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<table class="vertical listing">
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{|  class="wikitable"
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<tr> <th>Minister</th> <th>Years</th> </tr>
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|- style="vertical-align:top;"
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<tr> <td>Stephen Chan</td> <td>1990-1995</td> </tr>
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! Minister
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<tr> <td>Peter Mau</td> <td>1995-present</td> </tr>
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! Years
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</table>
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|-
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| Stephen Chan
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| style="text-align:right;" | 1990-1995
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|-
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| Peter Mau
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| style="text-align:right;" | 1995-2012
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|-
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| Albert Wang
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| style="text-align:right;" | 2013-?
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|}
  
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<h3>Richmond Chinese Mennonite Brethren Church Membership</h3>
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=== Richmond Chinese Mennonite Brethren Church Membership ===
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<table class="vertical listing">
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{|  class="wikitable"
−
<tr> <th>Year</th> <th>Members</th> </tr>
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|- style="vertical-align:top;"
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<tr> <td>1995</td> <td align="right">107</td> </tr>
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! Year
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<tr> <td>2000</td> <td align="right">150</td> </tr>
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! Members
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<tr> <td>2005</td> <td align="right">161</td> </tr>
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! Attendance
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<tr> <td>2010</td> <td align="right">205</td> </tr>
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|-
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</table>
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| 1995
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| style="text-align:right;" | 107
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|
 +
|-
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| 2000
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| style="text-align:right;" | 150
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|
 +
|-
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| 2005
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| style="text-align:right;" | 161
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|
 +
|-
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| 2010
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| style="text-align:right;" | 205
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| style="text-align:right;" | 200
 +
|-
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| 2015
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| style="text-align:right;" | 423
 +
| style="text-align:right;" | 170
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|-
 +
| 2020
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| style="text-align:right;" | 120
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| style="text-align:right;" | 130
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|}
 
= Maps =
 
= Maps =
 
[[Map:Richmond Chinese Mennonite Brethren Church (Richmond, BC)|Richmond Chinese Mennonite Brethren Church (Richmond, BC)]]
 
[[Map:Richmond Chinese Mennonite Brethren Church (Richmond, BC)|Richmond Chinese Mennonite Brethren Church (Richmond, BC)]]
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{{GAMEO_footer|hp=|date=November 2010|a1_last=Steiner|a1_first=Sam|a2_last=Thiessen|a2_first=Richard D.}}
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{{GAMEO_footer|hp=|date=June 2023|a1_last=Steiner|a1_first=Samuel J.|a2_last=Thiessen|a2_first=Richard D.}}
 
[[Category:Churches]]
 
[[Category:Churches]]
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[[Category:British Columbia Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches Congregations]]
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[[Category:Canadian Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches Congregations]]
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[[Category:General Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches Congregations]]
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[[Category:British Columbia Congregations]]
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[[Category:Canadian Congregations]]

Latest revision as of 23:04, 5 June 2023

In fall 1989, a group of Chinese Christians began attending Richmond Bethel Mennonite Brethren Church in Richmond, BC. The church welcomed them, and they quickly became part of the congregation. However, the group also met every Sunday evening in homes for fellowship, Bible study and prayer. The meetings were led by pastors from various churches. The elders of Richmond Bethel Church asked the group if they had a vision for beginning evangelism work among the local Chinese. After they prayed about it for half a year, on 29 April 1990, the elders offered the group a meeting hall, office space and financial assistance to begin the outreach. The members of the Chinese group were excited, thankful and overwhelmed.

A planning committee was formed and invited Stephen Chan, then serving in Toronto, to come and lead the work. The Richmond Bethel leaders offered the planning committee two options – to be the Chinese outreach department of Richmond Bethel or to form a separate Chinese Mennonite Brethren congregation with Richmond Bethel providing financial support for the first half-year. The committee chose the second option.

Stephen Chan arrived in June 1989, and the first Sunday worship service took place on 15 July 1989. Three months later, the congregation held its charter service and in 1991 became a member congregation of the British Columbia Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches. Attendance quickly grew to 90, and the congregation became financially self-supporting on schedule. In 1993, Phebe Chan joined the church as Christian education director. In January 1995, Stephen Chan suffered a serious heart attack. The doctors had given up hopes of his recovery, but every night a team of brothers and sisters took turns praying earnestly for him, and he recovered and returned home. In November, he resigned from all formal pastoral duties, retaining only an advisory role, and in December Peter Mau became senior pastor of the church.

In 1996, an agreement was made to expand the existing building to better serve Richmond Bethel Church, Richmond Chinese MB Church and Richmond Christian School. A new $400,000 sanctuary was built between the school building and the existing Richmond Bethel building, which was completed in March 1997.

In 2001 about 130 people attended the Cantonese service (which was also translated into Mandarin), and 45 attended the English service. In addition to various fellowship meetings and Sunday school classes, the church had begun Mandarin Bible study classes for new immigrants from Mainland China.

In 2023 the church worshipped in three languages -- Cantonese, Mandarin, and English.

Bibliography

Mennonite Brethren Herald (14 September 1990): 18; (25 April 1996): 13.

"We Are in the Same Family." Mennonite Brethren Herald 40, no. 21 (November 9, 2001). http://old.mbherald.com/40-21/family.html (accessed 19 May 2008).

Additional Information

Address: 10200 No. 5 Rd., Richmond, BC  V7A 4E5

Phone: 604-275-1893

Website: https://en.rcmbc.ca/

Denominational Affiliations:

British Columbia Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches (1991-present)

Canadian Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches (1991-present)

General Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches (1991-2002)

Richmond Chinese Mennonite Brethren Church Ministers

Minister Years
Stephen Chan 1990-1995
Peter Mau 1995-2012
Albert Wang 2013-?

Richmond Chinese Mennonite Brethren Church Membership

Year Members Attendance
1995 107
2000 150
2005 161
2010 205 200
2015 423 170
2020 120 130

Maps

Richmond Chinese Mennonite Brethren Church (Richmond, BC)


Author(s) Samuel J. Steiner
Richard D. Thiessen
Date Published June 2023

Cite This Article

MLA style

Steiner, Samuel J. and Richard D. Thiessen. "Richmond Chinese Mennonite Brethren Church (Richmond, British Columbia, Canada)." Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. June 2023. Web. 18 Apr 2024. https://gameo.org/index.php?title=Richmond_Chinese_Mennonite_Brethren_Church_(Richmond,_British_Columbia,_Canada)&oldid=175822.

APA style

Steiner, Samuel J. and Richard D. Thiessen. (June 2023). Richmond Chinese Mennonite Brethren Church (Richmond, British Columbia, Canada). Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. Retrieved 18 April 2024, from https://gameo.org/index.php?title=Richmond_Chinese_Mennonite_Brethren_Church_(Richmond,_British_Columbia,_Canada)&oldid=175822.



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