(Please scroll down for the English version)
感謝主！回望這些年，神的恩典與帶領實在超過我們所想所求。從一開始小小的群體，到如今教會不斷增長，主將新家庭、新朋友、新生命帶到我們中間，建立了這個屬靈的家。一路走來，無論順境或挑戰，神都親自為我們預備，親自供應。回望過去，我們確信，這不是人的努力，而是神的作為。祂一直在帶領我們走祂所命定的路。
今天，神帶領我們踏上建堂的信心之路。這是教會發展的重要一步，也是我們共同的屬靈旅程。面對龐大的建堂經費，許多弟兄姊妹心中或許會產生疑問和壓力——這麼大的數目，我們真的做得到嗎？我自己能奉獻多少呢？我的那一點，真的有意義嗎？
作為牧者，我想誠懇地提醒大家：我們是相信「人人皆祭司」的信仰群體。建堂不是少數人完成的任務，而是神邀請我們每一位屬祂的兒女參與在祂工作的機會。這座新堂，將是屬於全體恩泉家的服事平台，是我們共同敬拜、共同成長的家。因此，這段籌款之路，也是屬於全體弟兄姊妹的一段屬靈操練與信心旅程。
我們不需要與別人比較奉獻的多少，因為主所看重的，不是金額的大小，而是我們甘心樂意的心。耶穌稱讚那位窮寡婦，因為她將自己所有的兩個小錢獻上，表達出完全的信靠與愛心。這樣的奉獻，雖是微小，卻是神眼中寶貴的禮物。哥林多後書9章7節也提醒我們：「各人要隨本心所酌定的，不要作難，不要勉強，因為捐得樂意的人是神所喜愛的。」弟兄姊妹，奉獻從來不是壓力或勉強，而是對神家甘心的擺上，是我們愛神與信靠神的具體行動。
建堂所需要的經費，的確是「天文數字」，遠超過我們人手所能掌控。但讓我們學習以信心的眼光看見——當年我們從未想過今天會有這麼多新家庭加入教會；我們從未想過會有這樣的擴展與突破，但神一步一步帶領我們發展至目前的規模。今天，神帶領我們走到建堂這一步，並不是要讓我們擔憂或懼怕，而是要我們回望祂過去的供應，憑信心倚靠祂繼續的引領。
我們奉獻的目的，不是為了完成一個工程，而是為了參與神在這個世代所成就的工作。新堂不是單單為了我們自己，而是為了下一代的信仰承傳，是為了我們的孩子、我們的家庭、我們的社區，能有一個屬靈的家，得著牧養與成長。我們所奉獻的每一分，都是為了神國的拓展與基督福音的傳揚。
因此，無論你的奉獻多或少，主都看為寶貴。你若能一次性奉獻，感謝主；你若只能按月慢慢擺上，主同樣悅納。重要的不是金額，而是我們那份甘心樂意的心。讓我們如同窮寡婦一般，用信心將自己的「兩個小錢」獻上——不是出於比較，不是出於勉強，而是出於一顆願意愛主、愛教會、愛靈魂的心。
弟兄姊妹，讓我們回顧神過去的作為，也展望祂將來的帶領。建堂不是人的工程，而是神的計劃；不是靠人的力量，而是靠神的供應。今天，祂邀請你我——祂的兒女——一起參與在這榮耀的建造當中。願我們憑著信心與愛心，同心參與，成為建造神家的人。
面對天文數字，讓我們不看困難，只看那位在過去帶領我們、在前頭為我們開路的主。祂呼召我們，祂必成就。讓我們一同禱告，一同奉獻，一同經歷神的信實與恩典，在這條建堂的信心道路上，見證祂的榮耀。
Brick by Brick, we build Stouffville Grace
Praise the Lord! As I look back over the years, I am deeply grateful for how God’s grace and guidance have carried us far beyond what we could have imagined. From the early days of our small congregation to today’s steady growth, God has continually brought new families, new friends, and new lives into our midst. He has built among us not just a gathering, but a spiritual home. Whether in seasons of ease or times of challenge, He has faithfully provided and prepared the way. Reflecting on our journey, I am convinced—this is not the work of human effort alone, but the work of God Himself. He has led us step by step, according to His sovereign plan.
Today, God is calling us to step forward in faith as we embark on the journey of building our new church facility. This is not just a practical step for our church’s development; it is a shared spiritual journey of faith. I know many of us may feel a mixture of excitement and pressure as we face the significant financial needs of this project. The numbers involved feel overwhelming—perhaps even impossible. Some may be asking: Can we really do this? How much can I give? Will my small contribution really make a difference?
As your pastor, I want to speak to your heart today: as a Baptist church, we believe in the priesthood of all believers. This means the work of building God’s house does not belong to just a few people—it is God’s invitation to every one of us, His children, to participate in His work. This future church home is not just a building. It will be the ministry platform for the entire Grace community—a place where we worship, grow, and serve together. Therefore, this fundraising journey is not just about dollars and cents. It is a spiritual discipline for every member of our congregation. It is an invitation from God to stretch our faith, deepen our trust, and grow in obedience.
We do not need to compare ourselves to others in the amount we give. What the Lord values is not the size of the gift, but the heart behind it. Jesus Himself praised the poor widow who gave two small coins—not because of the amount she offered, but because her gift reflected complete trust and love. In God’s eyes, her small offering was a precious gift. 2 Corinthians 9:7 reminds us: “Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” Brothers and sisters, giving should never be a burden or obligation, but rather a joyful act of worship—a concrete expression of our love and trust in God.
Yes, the cost of building our new church may seem like “astronomical figure” to us. It is beyond what we can control by human means. But I invite you to look at this situation through eyes of faith. Years ago, we never imagined our church would grow to what it is today. We never anticipated this many families joining us, or such an expansion of ministry opportunities. Yet God led us here, step by step. And if God has brought us to this point, it is not to leave us in fear or worry, but to teach us to trust Him again. As we remember how He has provided in the past, we can step forward in faith, trusting Him to lead and provide for what lies ahead.
Our goal in giving is not just to complete a building project—it is to participate in the work of God in this generation. This new church home is not built for our comfort alone, but for the faith of the next generation—for our children, our families, and our community. Every dollar we offer, every small or large gift, is ultimately for the expansion of God’s kingdom and the proclamation of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
So whether your contribution is large or small, know this: every offering given from a willing heart is precious in God’s eyes. Whether you are able to give a one-time gift, or contribute slowly through regular monthly giving, both are equally welcomed and honoured by the Lord. The important thing is not the amount, but whether we give cheerfully and willingly, out of love for Christ, His church, and the lost souls He calls us to reach.
Brothers and sisters, let us remember what God has already done in our midst, and look forward to how He will continue to lead us. This building project is not man’s plan—it is God’s. It will not be completed by human strength, but by God’s provision. Today, He invites every one of us—His children—to be part of this great work. May we respond together, with faith and love, and play our part in building the house of the Lord.
As we face these overwhelming numbers, let us not focus on the challenges. Let us fix our eyes on the God who has led us thus far and who goes before us. The One who calls us will surely accomplish it. Let us join together in prayer, in giving, and in faith, and witness God’s faithfulness and provision as we build His house together.