Official Goodbye to Tawa

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ECBC celebrated Reverend Tawa Anderson's pastoral leadership at ECBC in an official goodbye celebration Sunday, July 13, 2008. The celebration began with a congregation-wide game in how well the members know the humble personality.

After the Cantonese worship service, the four bodies of ECBC bid farewell in their own individual ways. Florence Leung spoke of Tawa's influence not only on the English congregation and the youth, but also across cultural boundaries and age barriers. She said that Tawa was often a mediator and bridge for generation gaps and the ECBC community.

Ho Fung spoke on behalf of the Mandarin congregation to thank the Andersons. He commended Tawa's patience, efforts, and ability to adapt to the Chinese community at ECBC. Mr. Fung also commented that even though there may have been many times where meanings may have been lost in translation, Tawa was often able to overcome the language barrier and understand our common human needs.

The Children's congregation gave thanks in a creative and poetic manner by creating a visual acrostic using the name Tawa Anderson.

Thank you, Xìe Xìe, Mèrci
Although words can't express our appreciation,
We will miss you so much Tawa, Vanessa, Mataeo, Alethea, Keilani
As you answer God's call for a greater assignment

Abundant blessing from the Lord is our prayer for
Numerous blessings you have given to numerous of us
Demonstrating you dedication to your family is the thing we remember most about you
Exemplifying your faith in god is a thing you have shown us
Reaching out to our poor neighbourhood you have led us to do
Sharing the Gospel so that many souls were brought to the Saviour
Obeying God's commandment to equip us in all God wants us to be
Never, never will your wonderful work at ECBC go unnoticed.

Chester Leung was speechless in presenting the English congregation's dedication to Tawa. Chester reflected on the English congregation's growth over the past seven years. He shared in how Tawa taught us to be leaders and how Tawa organized and refined the functionality of ECBC. Chester also thanked Vanessa's support while tearing up. An enhanced slideshow showing pictures from Tawa's tenure was accompanied by a CHAOS recording from 2002, the song Seven Years dedicated to Tawa, ending with a congregation worship with Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee, one of the pastor's favourite hymns.

Senior Pastor Reverend Peter Ng thanked Tawa as a blessing from God and also thanked Vanessa in pushing TAwa forward and supporting him through the years. Pastor Ng also describe Tawa as an encouragement to youth, demonstrating his faith by action, and proven himself a faithful servant. He gave Tawa a blessing on behalf of ECBC as he moves on for his doctorate studies in Kentucky and a collage and large card was presented to the Anderson family for their contribution to ECBC.

At the end of the celebration, Tawa, in tears, joked that he wasn't gone yet and was speechless when a pastor doesn't have something written out. He made a public profession of thanksgiving to Vanessa as she led him to God and was always there to confirm and support Tawa's decisions in the marriage. Vanessa had endured a lot of sacrifice for Tawa's sake including long nights and taking care of the family. TAwa spoke of the seven years as a blink of an eye as he at one time thought that he would be retiring at ECBC, but trusted God in following His direction to move to Louisville. The reverend also thanked his parents who were also present during the ceremony as the family will be leaving the social support structure they have always had. It was an "overwhelming feeling of not knowing what is coming next and that we know that God who we serve is faithful and that when he calls us forward, he calls us forward for our good. It's not that God has this plan that we're gonna suffer and that it's gonna be horrible down the road. We know that it'll be good, we just don't know how it will be good," he stated.

He continued, "God has changed us a lot in the last seven years, and we have really grown." In the end, Tawa thanked everyone for the time and memories and prays that we will all grow and that God will continue to draw us forward in the future.

After the formal ceremony, a love feast in the last supper with Tawa took place in the fellowship hall.

Pastor Tawa's role will not stay vacant as in an official announcement made earlier in the service, Dr. Joseph Hama has accepted the invitation to become the English pastor of ECBC.