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Edmonton, Alta.
Edmonton Chinese Mennonite congregation celebrates 11 years

Edmonton Chinese Mennonite Church

The Edmonton Chinese Mennonite congregation celebrated its 11th anniversary in its own building in September.

When Vietnam refugees came to Edmonton in the early 1980s, Edmonton’s Mennonite churches found an opportunity to work together to assist with settlement issues. The inter-Mennonite council, which included Lendrum Mennonite Brethren Church, was involved in forming the Mennonite Centre for Newcomers. After a few years, a church planting vision was initiated to address the spiritual needs of the Vietnam Chinese and Vietnamese peoples. The Indo-Chinese Church Advisory Council, which includes members from all Mennonite denominations, was formed. Lendrum MB Church continues to have representation on the Advisory Council.

Timothy and Letty Ngo, the first pastor couple of the Chinese Mennonite Church, arrived in Edmonton in 1989, and the church held its first worship service at the Mennonite Centre for Newcomers. In 1991, the church rented space in the local Reformed Church. In 1995, Ken and Jodi Tse became pastor couple.

In 1996 the Reformed Church went up for sale. During this time, a Vietnamese Mennonite congregation was also in need of a meeting place. The two congregations considered purchasing the Church together, but could not make the down payment. The Advisory Council considered the option of buying the property, and Edmonton’s Mennonite churches were approached to assist in fundraising. The building was purchased in April 1998 with the first mortgage payment due in two years. Monies brought in through fundraising and donations totaled $150,000, leaving a mortgage of $100,000 through Mennonite Foundation. Last year, the Chinese and Vietnamese congregations applied to several other North American foundations for grants. In March 2000, Tenth Man, a funding program of the Mennonite Men Foundation of Newton, Kan., committed $50,000 by summer 2001.

Edmonton Chinese Mennonite Church consists mainly of refugees from Vietnam and Cambodia. It meets Sunday afternoons and has an attendance of 40 adults and 15 children. Special events can have as many as 100 attending. The facility is also rented by community groups.

 – Helena Voth, Lendrum MB Church

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Last modified December 11, 2000.

© 2000 Mennonite Brethren Herald.
Published by the Canadian Conference of MB Churches.
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