Edmonton Christian Life Community Church 

The Edmonton Christian Life Community Church in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, began services in September 1989. The congregation originated through outreach by the Edmonton Mennonite Ministerial and local churches in Edmonton. It was composed of Chinese boat people who came to Canada in the 1980s, many of whom got jobs as cleaners upon their arrival.

Originally named Edmonton Chinese Mennonite Church, it was a joint effort of three Mennonite denominations: Mennonite Church Alberta (formerly known as the Conference of Mennonites of Alberta), the Northwest Mennonite Conference, and the Mennonite Brethren. The original vision was to “help meet the spiritual needs of the new immigrants at the Mennonite Centre for Newcomers,” which opened in 1980.

Because language has continued to be a barrier, church services have remained in Cantonese, with Pastor Ken Tse translating into English so younger congregants, including some university students, can understand the teaching.

Bibliography

De Jong, Joanne. "Chinese Mennonites persist in Edmonton for 30 years." Canadian Mennonite 23, no. 19 (23 October 2019). Web. 20 June 2021. https://canadianmennonite.org/stories/chinese-mennonites-persist-edmonton-30-years

Mennonite Reporter (29 May 1989): 1; (19 August 1991): 15.