August 17th

Four Cultures Gather Together for Worship in Preston, ON

Preston Mennonite Church holds an Intercultural Worship Service

“This is a foretaste of the worship we will experience in heaven,” said KyongJung Kim, pastor of Preston and Wanner Mennonite churches. Four cultures came together to worship this past weekend at Preston Mennonite Church in Ontario. Participants from Chin Christian Church (Myanmar), Living Bridge Assembly (China), Wanner and Preston Mennonite churches (Canada) along with their pastor, KyongJung Kim and his wife Ellen (Korea) were actively involved through the service.

Scripture and singing was in four languages: Mandarin, Hakha-Chin, English and Korean. Through scripture in Matthew 28, people were reminded of God’s great commission to make disciples in all nations. Each language group, under the direction of Muriel Bechtel, led familiar hymns sung verse by verse in different languages or simultaneously in four languages. The Chin choir and a woman named Van Tha Meng Par also led in worship.

“I pray that together we will be the eyes, the hands and the feet of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
- Thawng Tha Lian

Thawng Tha Lian from Chin Christian Church shared of the current conflict in Myanmar. He began by reading Psalm 94:3: How long, Lord, will the wicked be jubilant? “This is what the people are crying today from Myanmar,” he said. He gave a brief overview of the political history of Myanmar to present day 2022. As the country finds itself in civil war thousands have fled, many have died and cities have been burned, leaving people homeless and hopeless. “I pray that together we will be the eyes, the hands and the feet of our Lord Jesus Christ,” he concluded.

Earlier this year, while at MCEC’s Annual Church Gathering, Muriel Bechtel and KyongJung Kim from Preston Mennonite Church enjoyed worship led by the Chin Christian choir. Pastor Joseph Raltong from Chin Christian Church was at the same table as Muriel and KyongJung. Muriel leaned toward Pastor Joseph and said, “What would it take to have the choir come to Preston Mennonite some Sunday?” “Just ask us!” replied Pastor Joseph. They did.

Living Bridge Assembly has been worshipping at Preston Mennonite Church for many years. Each year they have several combined services and events.

Preston Mennonite Church and Wanner Mennonite Church are communities who share God’s love with each other and the world through worship, hospitality and serving others. They are both located in Cambridge and share a pastoral team.

An Intercultural potluck followed and donations received to support the internally displaced people of Myanmar.