上帝的奇妙帶領（伍德賢總主教）
這相片是2008年3月4日在現時多倫多以馬內利堂的正門拍的（不是刻意，而是一個奇妙的巧合使我們三人剛好站在將來教堂的正門）。有聖公會東南亞教省主教長及馬來西亞沙巴教區之榮休楊平忠大主教，Anglican Mission in Americas 主理加拿大的 TJ Johnson 主教及 AMiA 主理美國及加拿大亞裔事工的總宣教主任伍德賢牧師。
當時是多倫多以馬內利堂借城北華人基督教會作第一次洗禮及按手堅信禮的翌日，我們與十多位主內兄姊為「葡萄園第一期」能順利開始，在祈禱步行（prayer walk）後拍攝的相片。
上帝四十年奇妙的帶領（1984-2024），一步一步引領成立多倫多以馬內利堂
- 1984 伍德賢弟兄首次到多倫多認識李世舉醫生。
- 2004 李世舉醫生領受從聖靈而來建長者栢文及社區中心之異象。
- 2005 李世舉醫生邀請溫哥華列治文以馬內利堂牧區主任伍德賢牧師到多倫多為多倫多聖約翰堂之青年領袖作分享。李世舉醫生於該分享後半年得主的感動，奉獻神學生基金作伍德賢牧師由2005年開始至2011年完成於美國加州福樂神學院之教牧學博士之學費及需要之開支。同年3月，李世舉醫生於溫哥華有三天醫學會議，忘記帶車牌，不能用已租之車，伍德賢牧師幫忙那三天之接送，李世舉醫生有很多時間分享他的異象。
- 2007 9月伍德賢牧師被Anglican Mission in Americas委任為主理美國及加拿大亞裔事工的總宣教主任。同年11月，伍德賢牧師接納李世舉醫生之建議成立多倫多以馬內利堂。
- 2008 1月多倫多以馬內利堂正式加入Anglican Mission in Americas，伍德賢牧師到多倫多開始第一次聖餐崇拜，有十多位兄姊參加。同年3月，楊平忠大主教TJ Johnson 主教及伍德賢牧師到多倫多作第一次洗禮及按手堅信禮。同年4月，伍德賢牧師邀請李成章傳道帶領於星期一晚之查經組為期一年半，直到2009年9月何尚允弟兄按立為會吏並被伍德賢主教委任為多倫多以馬內利堂牧區主任。
回看這相片，使我想起原來上帝已用了這麼多年去使多倫多以馬內利堂一步一步茁壯成長，數算主的奇妙安排，真的是無限感恩！
God’s Wonderful Guidance (Chief Bishop Silas Ng)
This photo was taken on March 4, 2008, at the future front entrance of Toronto Emmanuel Church (Not a deliberate choice, but a wonderful coincidence that the 3 of us happened to stand at what later became the front entrance of the church). In the photo are Archbishop Yong Ping Chung, the retired Primate of the Province of the Anglican Church in Southeast Asia and former Bishop of Sabah, Malaysia; Bishop TJ Johnson, Overseeing Bishop of the Anglican Mission in the Americas (Canada); and myself, Reverend Silas Ng, Principal Missionary of the Asian Initiative of Anglican Mission in Americas.
The photo was taken the day after Toronto Emmanuel Church conducted its first baptism and confirmation at Richmond Hill Christian Community Church. We took this photo after a prayer walk with more than a dozen brothers and sisters, praying for the successful start of the first phase of the Vintage Garden project.
God’s Wonderful Guidance Over Forty Years (1984-2024): Step by Step Leading to the Establishment of Toronto Emmanuel Church
- 1984 – Silas first came to Toronto and met Dr. SK Lee.
- 2004 – Dr. Lee received a vision from the Holy Spirit to develop Apartments for Seniors & Community Centre.
- 2005 – Dr. Lee invited Silas, Rector of the Richmond Emmanuel Church in Richmond, BC, to share with the youth leaders of St. John’s Anglican Church in Toronto. Six months after this sharing, Dr. Lee felt led by the Lord to contribute to the Seminarian Fund for Silas to cover his expenses for the Doctor of Ministry program at Fuller Theological Seminary in California, which he began in 2005 and completed in 2011. In March of 2005, Dr. Lee attended a three-day medical conference in Vancouver but forgot to bring his driver’s license and couldn’t drive the rental car. Silas helped with transportation during those three days, allowing Dr. Lee ample time to share his vision.
- 2007 September – Silas was appointed by the Anglican Mission in Americas as Principal Missionary of the Asian Initiative in the U.S. and Canada. In November, Silas accepted Dr. Lee’s invitation to plant Toronto Emmanuel Church.
- 2008 January – Toronto Emmanuel Church officially joined the Anglican Mission in Americas. Rev. Silas Ng officiated the first Holy Communion service in Toronto, together with around ten Christian brothers and sisters. In March, Archbishop Yong Ping Chung and Bishop TJ Johnson visited Toronto for their first baptism and confirmation. In April, Rev. Silas Ng invited Pastor Jonathan Li to lead a Bible study group on Monday evenings for a year and a half, until September 2009 when Edmund Ho was ordained as a deacon and appointed by Silas Ng (now Bishop) as Rector of Toronto Emmanuel Church.
Looking back at this photo, it reminds me of how God has used these many years to help Toronto Emmanuel Church grow one step at a time. Counting the Lord’s wonderful arrangements truly fills me with infinite gratitude!