ECBC Year in Review 2011

The year 2011 was an historic year for the news world with a mega disaster in Japan, famine in Somalia, countries tumbling on one another's economic situations, the death of leaders who have been enemies of the democratic free world (Osama bin Laden, Kim Jung Il, Ghaddafi), the passing away of impactful leaders in the free world (Steve Jobs, Jack Layton), the student loan debt surpassing consumer debt for the first time, riots and protests around the world (Arab Spring, Vancouver riots, Occupy Movement). With so many destructive events this year, it almost did seem like Harold Camping was right with his end of the world prophesy.

However some good things did happen in the midst of the seemgly unending chaos and turmoil this year. There was a breakthrough in a Cure to AIDS with some help from the Bill & Melina Gates foundation, troops were called home from overseas, global population hit 7 billion and we're still thriving, the country of South Sudan was born, and there was a huge wave of hope and optimism spawned by social media. And for a weekend in April and the subsequent month leading up to the event, the world was fixated on the royal wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton.

With such a landmark year in history, how did ECBC fare up? Will 2012 look like the best of the visions of ECBC we had this year? We won't know til next year. Until then, here are the top 10 news events at Edmonton Chinese Baptist Church in 2011.

10. Fall Retreat teaser videos

With the creations of Gary Chan, our morning services at times felt like a movie theatre, as several teaser videos for the Fall Retreat hyped up the event to be a success once again. Gary has posted a few fun videos, including a recap of the retreat with a few fun facts. In addition to the videos, Gary was also instrumental in developing all the design and advertising to the event themed 'Who Am I?', including a memorable computer-morphed image consisting of several English congregation members.

Declan Langlois

9. Baby boom

Although Ryan and Lina's baby Declan Langlois's birth on September 7, 2011 was the only baby born in the English congregation this year, there were several babies born this year in the other two congregations. Of the newborns at ECBC, Michelle Wong and Jason Wai were born to members of the Cantonese choir in 2011.

8. Community Partnership Events

The English congregation was involved with five major partnerships with community impacting organizations this year. As in past years, the first was the highway cleanup as a fundraiser for our mission fund. There is a certificate and thank you card from the organization thanking ECBC for our continued support.

The second was the Make Tax Time Pay Community Tax Clinic organized by our own member accountant Agnes Leung. We had the opportunity to help families financially not only with applying for tax credits and saving on filing taxes, but an great impression of our church in the area which is invaluable. A video recap is presented to the right.

The third event this year was with the community carnival which a few members helped to volunteer for. Gary Chan was involved in making a few promotional shirts and hats for our volunteers in past years, and pictures may be viewed on his social media profile.

A fourth ongoing project was again the Queen Community Garden spearheaded by Michael Brown over several years of work. There is now a waiting list for plots thanks to the wonderful efforts by Michael and several other organizations.

The fifth partnership is a project midway complete. Former member Grace Law is set to have her mural painted on the back of our church to liven the community with her art. According to the ECBC Community Mural project, the final phase will begin in the new year with the one month creation of the mural entitled The Earth is filled with your glory, O Lord.

7. Special Guests and Visitors

A few out-of-town ECBC alumni came back to visit us this year, including Yolanda and Aaron Bonkowski, Melissa and Dung Ha, Matt Wong, and the Andersons. Two key return visitors Grace Law, and the Maney family, as well as guest speakers Bernard Cheung and the Shines made memorable visits.

Mark, Charlotte, Roseanna, and Alaric Maney came back for a short stint before heading off on their three year placement in New Zealand as Mark is accepted to become a pastor of Auckland Chinese Presbyterian Church. Mark departed back in November, and Charlotte and the children left our wintry wonderland on December 30th with a warm farewell by a number of our English congregation members. For ongoing updates, follow Mark's blog Mark Maneyia.

Grace Law had the privilege of being the only speaker on a Sunday service by sharing her experience to a closed country. Using her photography skills, she was able to get special access into this nation and see the need of Christian benevolence, activism, and evangelism to the unreached in the world. With her permission, we have an exclusive video of that morning at ECBC that will be posted shortly.

To most people in the English congregation, the name Bernard Cheung is still unfamiliar. However, Bernard not only sits at the back most Sundays, but is actually the pastor of a Korean church in the city and has preached and taught Sunday school in the Cantonese congregation for a while. He was also the facilitator of our English Alpha course this year. He was our guest speaker while Dennis was away in the latter part of the year.

Jason Shine, the Baptist Student Ministry campus leader was our Good Friday service speaker this year with an out of the box 'Great Friday' sermon. The Shines welcomed Priscilla this year, and have made Edmonton a cozy home while sharing their passion for Christ to the most growth-seeking generation on campus at the University of Alberta. The relaunced Loonie Lunch with a twist, and have been able to make a huge impact while filling the shoes left behind by the Idell family.

6. Engagements

Our English congregation princes and princesses will become part of ECBC royalty as two active couples were engaged this year. David and Natalie will be getting married soon, and Geoff and Winnie will soon become a family as well. Congratulations to both couples. These two stories will continue to unfold in 2012.

5. Youth Fellowship Growth

With the leadership transition in Timothy Fellowship, the youth group numbers are consistently healthy for a church our size. This year was a great year for our youth as Dennis and Ardell Milne worked hard to engage the youth to grow as young men and women in Christ. A huge void will need to be filled in 2012 to keep the momentum going as the Milnes transition to a new church.

4. English Alpha Course

With the success of the Alpha course in the Cantonese congregation, an English group was integrated in the second installation this year. There were many first time church contacts as it was run. Steven Duong was involved with getting it running, after an initial push for the course by Michael Brown earlier. Persistence pays off. We made new friends and helped a few people to think about faith and educate a few curious minds.

3. Milnes departure

Most people may have thought that another pastor story will be the number one story again, however, the Milnes' departure announcement has made it to number three for the 2011 year in review. This, of course, doesn't mean they'll be another top story in 2012 at ECBC. The Milnes announced their departure on March 31 will officially mark their 3 years at our church. Dennis and Ardell has written a huge church plant proposal for their calling to a house church out in Sherwood Park, called the Open Door.

Pastor Ng's 20th at ECBC

2. Pastor Ng 20

The top two stories are extended to the entire church. Number two celebrates Pastor Peter Ng's 20 years serving at Edmonton Chinese Baptist Church. Thanksgiving Sunday was a celebration of the Ngs ongoing dedication to this congregation of believers. A special book was signed by ECBC members, and presented to Peter later. A permanent copy the book is viewable in our church library.

1. Baptisms

What great news that our members made the number one story of 2011. While 2011 has been a year of unimaginable change all over the world, ECBC recognizes through those who were baptized, that change can be a great thing. At least 25 members followed Christ in the waters of baptism in our major Easter and Christmas baptism services, and a handful of others were baptized through the rest of the year.