I recently returned from a few weeks traveling through Asia—spending time in Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Malaysia. It was a deeply rich trip, full of old connections and new perspectives on life and ministry. Before the journey began, I had been mentally preparing myself for a multifaceted itinerary: reuniting with family and friends in Hong Kong, re-visiting Taipei City while taking a brief Sabbatical rest, and attending the 10th CCOWE (Chinese Congress on World Evangelization) organized by CCCOWE (Chinese Coordination Centre of World Evangelism Movement https://cccowe.org/) in Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia.
A trip of this magnitude unfolds not just in miles traveled, but in the personal moments and spiritual lessons along the way. I want to share a few snapshots from the journey with you.
My time in Hong Kong coincided beautifully with Father’s Day, giving me the precious opportunity to celebrate with my dad in person.
While there, I witnessed a beautiful picture of lifelong fellowship. My dad, Barnabas, and his good buddy, Rev. Paul Cheung—a real-life Barnabas and Paul!—have been friends since they were teenagers. Though life took one to the States and kept the other in Hong Kong, they have stayed in close touch over the decades, deeply united in Christ. Watching them walk side-by-side was a powerful example to me of enduring Christian brotherhood.
One of my most favourite moments from the trip was with my 15-year-old niece. She mentioned she had recently attended a special worship night with her school fellowship, and that another YWAM Gateway Community Night was happening while I was in town. I asked if she would let her aunt tag along, since it wasn’t an official school event. She said yes! Worshiping together made me feel so much more connected to her. She and her brother have been attending church since they were young, faithfully brought by their paternal grandparents, though their parents do not attend. My sincere prayer is that these two teenagers will be the ones to bring the Gospel to their family.
It was also a joy to cross paths with some familiar faces from our own Stouffville Grace family! I met up with a few of our teenagers who moved to Canada in 2022; this was their very first trip back to Hong Kong. Seeing them navigate the bridge between our home church in Hong Kong and their new lives in Canada was a wonderful reminder of how expansive our church family really is.
In Taipei, the summer heat was intense—so intense that my ambitious walking plans were quickly abandoned in favor of anything air-conditioned! But stepping out of my comfort zone went beyond just escaping the weather. On a Sunday, I attended Truth Church near Ximending. Known as a Pentecostal church, this was my first experience fully immersed in charismatic worship, where the worship team, pastors, and some congregants prayed in tongues. Coming from my own background, I will admit I felt a little uneasy at first. But I chose to trust that God was deeply present in that space, working in ways broader than the traditions I am used to.
Also in Taipei, I visited the Chiang Kai-Shek Shilin Residence. The “Faith and Strength” exhibit left a strong impression on me. Seeing his personal Bible and his well-worn copy of Streams in the Desert was moving, but learning that he was led to Christ by his mother-in-law struck a deeper chord. It is a striking testament to how God uses everyday family influence to reach even the most prominent historical figures.
The final leg of my trip was in Kuching, Sarawat, Malaysia, for the global gathering of the 10th CCOWE, which happens every five years. It was an honor to be there, running into familiar faces from overseas, deepening existing relationships, and forging new ones. The theme was 「時代聆聽．與神共創」 (Open our EAR, Understand our ERA, Here we ARE).
I was, quite frankly, overwhelmed with teachings. I find myself needing God's help to digest everything I learned about the Gospel, Mission, and Church within the context of Chinese churches globally. The most memorable moment was when Rev. David Doong, General Secretary of CCCOWE, broke down the deep theology embedded in the CCCOWE theme song:
主愛中華，恩寵有加；地大物博，代出俊哲。
人道既窮，天道斯通；天人合一，惟信可期。
勉我教會，造就門徒；舉目望田，耕耘收成。
普世華民，作主忠僕；高舉十架，天下一心。
廣傳福音，靈命日新；佳美腳蹤，可西可東。
最後一棒，迎頭趕上；主來在望，凱歌高唱。
Praise God for all His wondrous blessings, to Chinese freely giv'n.
The ways of men have led astray, but through Christ God has shown the way.
O church of Christ make disciples, turn your eyes to visions above.
May we for Him bold servants be, bear the cross in love and unity.
Proclaim the good news of salvation, with minds renewed by truth.
In faith we'll run the race to win, shout the vict'ry, hail the coming King.
Rev. Doong reminded us that these aren't just traditional lyrics or a catchy motto; they are anchored in profound theology: Grace alone, Faith alone, the Mission of the Church, Christ alone, Gospel-centered, reaching All nations, and Advancing in Hope. Standing and singing this alongside 1,600 pastors, ministers, and leaders was deeply moving. It’s easy to get caught up in the administrative details of church life, but standing in that hall surrounded by brothers and sisters in Christ who carry the same burden and joy reignited something deep inside me. It brought me right back to the core of why we do what we do, filling me with a renewed sense of gratitude, humility, and steady hope.
We are called to make disciples of all nations, of course, but God has uniquely placed us within a Chinese context to do His work. Being at CCOWE opened my eyes to the incredible scale of the global Chinese diaspora. Wherever Chinese people have settled across the globe, God is raising up churches to be lighthouses in those cities. We are part of that massive, beautiful movement right here at Stouffville Grace. He has given us our shared heritage and cultural understanding to show our neighbours that following Jesus doesn't mean abandoning your roots, but discovering exactly who you were created to be. Our cultural background is not an accident; it is a bridge. Here in Canada, we have a unique opportunity to reach those who share our language, our values, and often the complex immigrant experience. We also have a profound calling to the generations born here, who are navigating the tension of two worlds and trying to figure out exactly where they fit in. We understand the unspoken pressures of our families and the deep desire for belonging. God has given us this specific heritage to reach the community we know best, yet the beautiful thing about the Gospel is that the empathy we gain from navigating these tensions makes us better equipped to reach anyone. Our Chinese context is our unique strength, but our mission is to actively go out and share Christ’s love with every neighbour God places in our path.
Before leaving Kuching, I took a moment to slow down and tour the local area. Taking in the semi-wild Bornean orangutans, the brilliant Golden Torch Heliconia, and so much more of God’s creation, I was left in awe of the Creator’s vibrant and unmatched artistry.
I have come home with new eyes. Traveling through different cities, worshiping in different traditions, and learning alongside a global body of believers has beautifully expanded my view of how vast and creative God’s work truly is. Sometimes it takes stepping out of our familiar routines to realize just how big our God is, and yet how intimately He cares for every generation. I hope I’ve returned to you refreshed, carrying a renewed sense of purpose for the mission field God has placed right in front of us. My prayer for us in this coming season is that we would open our own eyes in wonder, trusting that the same Holy Spirit moving in congregations across Asia is just as active right here in our own community.