The Center for Asian-Canadian Theology and Ministry at Knox College - An Interview with the Founders
Rev. John Borthwick is joined by leaders connected to the Center for Asian Canadian Theology and Ministry as they celebrate thirty years of faithful work at Knox College. Together, they trace the Center’s beginnings amid a wave of Asian immigration in the 1990s, its impact on theological education and immigrant churches, and its ongoing role as a bridge between cultures. Through stories of vision, hospitality, research, and resilience, the guests reflect on how the Center has shaped ministry in Canada—and what comes next.
Episode Guests Include
The Rev. Dr. Dong-Ha Kim, Director of the Centre
Rev. Mary Lee, Associate Minister of Cornerstone Presbyterian Church, Toronto
Eirene Wee, Member of the Council
Rev. Soo Jin Chung, Associate Minister of St. Timothy's Presbyterian Church, Toronto
Dr. Stephanie Ling was not able to be present for the recording but share the following reflection with us:
On May 10, 1995 the Centre for Asian Canadian Theology and Ministry was officially established at Knox College and was initiated by a group of Korean-Canadian Presbyterian ministers out of concern for the Asian-Canadian students at Knox College and the vital role they believe the Asian-Canadian Churches can play in The Presbyterian Church in Canada. My name is Stephanie Ling and I was recruited into the Centre when I joined the Senate (now the Board of Governors) in the Spring of 1995. It was a steadfast, dedicated group of Korean ministers who were encouraged and guided enthusiastically by Dr. Art Van Seters, who was the principal at that time. The growth of Asian Canadian churches was gathering momentum and there was a need to reach out to the immigrant population that was searching for their spiritual identity within the North American culture.
The Asian Centre realized that in order to facilitate this need, they needed to find ways to develop trusting relationships with the community by offering opportunities to have safe dialogues that bridged the concerns embraced by 2nd and 3rd generation individuals. As a result, the Centre initiated many events that brought people together through forums, panel discussions, research, social events and other activities in close partnership with Knox College.
I was primarily involved with the Programme Committee and with the strong support of the Asian Council members, we organized a variety of gatherings that brought the community together in multiple roles. In recognizing the need for encouraging the various Asian Canadian churches to come together with a common goal, we established the Music Celebration of Thanksgiving to be held every other year. It was a unique way of gathering different churches and musical groups together to worship and give thanks together through music. We wanted to create an understanding and awareness of multiculturalism through various activities as well as to minister to the community at large through workshops, special celebratory events and various venues for worship.
Our inaugural concert was held at Knox Church, on Spadina, as part of their evening service, on October 14, 1998 and was held every other year, at different locations, until 2020 when the world was confronted with the Pandemic.
Throughout the last 22 years, the music celebration has now reached out to several interdenominational choirs coming together to create a truly wondrous, multicultural musical experience. Included were choirs, dance, drama and drum groups from the Mandarin, Korean, Taiwanese, Formosan, Chinese and the York University Gospel Choir as we rotated our presentations at Knox College and different churches.
Music is a universal language and through performance participation, it can draw together people of all ages, cultures and interests. Our Music Celebration of
Thanksgiving evokes a desire to strengthen our cultural heritage as well as providing a way to embrace intergenerational fellowship and harmony.
Experiencing these wonderful moments together are some of the memorable highlights for the Centre and as we are now past the Pandemic times, we hope to revive this event again to reach out to our community. We are consciously aware of the desire to close the intergenerational gap and we are exploring innovative yet relevant ways to support and encourage the ministry leaders today. We look excitedly ahead at what can take shape together.
Respectfully submitted
Stephanie Ling, September 2025
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