Ministry in the New Horizon
Recognizing that a changing world requires changing perspectives on ministry, the Chinese Chapter of the Alumni Association partnered with the Alumni Association to host a two-day ministry fair at Tyndale, “Ministry in the New Horizon.” Students and alumni attended workshops and a plenary session, and churches and mission organizations hosted booths featuring various ministries.
C. Y. Yan, Vice Chair of the Chinese Chapter, remarks, “Everything used to happen within the church. The world is changing. We have to get outside the four walls of the church.” He notes that, “There is room for innovation; we need a pioneer spirit to change the culture without letting it change us.”
Present at the Ministry Fair were established organizations such as Operation Mobilization (OM), Wycliffe, Africa Inland Mission and SEND who focus on Bible translation, church planting and reaching the unreached. Additionally, Albert Wai, Chair of the Chinese Chapter, hopes to, “Introduce students to 'edgy' ministries so they might get new ideas or, if they already have a burden, to get connected”. Some non-conventional ministries present included, Urban Promise, Camp Eulogia, the Pregnancy Care Centre and C.A.R.E.
One innovative ministry, Camp Eulogia, was started by Cynthia Tam, pastor at Midtown Alliance, and a team of others. It is a place of “Christ-centered rest and revival for families with children and young adults with disabilities”. For two weeks each summer, the camp provides families an opportunity to enjoy the outdoors, benefit from special programming, and receive prayer.
The Ministry Fair highlighted a variety of churches, organizations, and para-church ministries who are taking the Gospel everywhere: From unreached villages in Asia, to broken sex workers in downtown Toronto. The mosaic of ministries served as a balanced inspiration and resource to the Tyndale community.