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To share God's love and help you fulfill Christ's purpose for your life.
Rev. Silas Chen and Rev. Mak in front of Dovercourt Baptist Church.
In 1974, the Southern Baptist Convention held its first Chinese Evangelistic Meetings in Edmonton. From then, they started the planning of a Baptist Church in Edmonton, and they contacted Rev. Silas Chen from Taiwan to lead this Ministry. In the beginning, Sunday Worship was held at Dovercourt Baptist Church at 11AM. The first worship service had the attendance of 16.
In Sept. 1977, Edmonton Chinese Baptist Church was established. From 1977 to 1979, the foundation of our Church was stabilized with integrated ministries including fellowships, Sunday Schools, and a choir. There were many 'firsts': meetings, retreats, summer camp, and a wedding! In June '79, Rev. Chen moved to San Diego. Rev. Yiu came in 1981. Attendance reached 100.
In Nov. '82, we moved into our own building at 10802 - 93 St. The Chinese language school was founded in 1983 and fellowships and Sunday School grew. Brothers and sisters also came to faith in Christ and many were baptized and became members of Edmonton Chinese Baptist Church.
From 1988 - 1995, we held a training program, 'Evangelism Explosion III', as well as training in Church music, Children's Ministry, and TOEFL tuition classes. Evangelical meetings and Gospel camps touched the lives of unbelievers. Grace and Luke Fellowships were founded; Family Fellowships were also developing. Bilingual (Cantonese - English) Worship Service began in '90; while Pastor Peter Ng was hired in '91.
In November 1994, Rev. Yiu left to serve God in Church planting mission in Toronto. January '95 marked a new era of our ECBC as Rev Ng became our senior pastor and we moved to our present church building located at 11112 - 109 Ave. On Jan 29, 1995, ECBC's Church Dedication Ceremony was held alongside Reverend Ng's Ordination Ceremony.
Rev. Yiu.
In 1998, Pastor Edith Lam was hired as part-time English Pastor, marking a new beginning for the English congregation of ECBC. The English worship moved from the small chapel into the sanctuary, and began meeting at its present time - 9:30AM every Sunday morning. Faith Fellowship (university & college), Hope Fellowship (senior high school), and Timothy Fellowship (junior high) were established. In the summer of 2001, Pastor Tawa Anderson was hired as a full-time English pastor, and Pastor Lam's family moved to Vancouver, British Columbia. ECBC's first worship band, CHAOS (Christ Has Always Offered Salvation) was formed, and performed annual concerts as well as leading Sunday morning worship. Outreach initiatives like the annual Bloc Party, the Christmas banquet, and annual missions trips were begun.
In September 2002, ECBC celebrated the baptism of its first Caucasian church member; in the years following, the English congregation has become noticeably more multicultural, although still predominantly Canadian-born Chinese. 2004 saw the institution of an English congregation leadership board, testimony to the spiritual growth and maturity within the congregation. As we continue onwards in the power and grace of God, we desire to see people come to know Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord, and to seek, understand, and fulfill God's purposes for their lives.
In 2006, Tawa Anderson was ordained to a reverend. Two more years followed before the Reverend felt a calling to move to Kentucky to continue studies in a doctorate degree. In July '08, Tawa Anderson departed ECBC to pursue a doctorate degree in Louisville, Kentucky.
On March 8, 2009, the next great adventure of the English congregation began when the members at ECBC voted to hire Rev. Dennis Milne to be the term pastor for the congregation.
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