Richmond Emmanuel Church (REC) celebrated its first worship on September 8, 1996. Rev. Silas Ng planted the church with a few families, which became the first Chinese Anglican Church in Richmond, with a focus to reach the many new Chinese immigrants that were coming to the city.
We formed the Richmond Emmanuel Church Choir, the Schola Cantorum (acapella choir), and Children’s Choir. We hold annual concerts featuring sacred and popular musical works from diverse genres.
We moved to Kumon Centre for worship to accommodate our needs. Many memories were made here as everyone helped set chairs and clean up on a weekly basis!
As our church grew, we saw the need for more space to serve the many people who were coming to know Jesus. In 2004, through many wonderful circumstances, we were able to relocate to our current location at 7451 Elmbridge Way to expand and develop ministries for people.
In 2009, Rev. Silas Ng was consecrated as a missionary bishop of the AMiA (Anglican Mission in the Americas, a missionary society focused on the re-evangelization of the Americas). This gave us an opportunity to grow in partnership with other Anglican Mission churches of different cultural backgrounds.
In 2016, Bishop Silas was appointed as the Apostolic Vicar of The Anglican Mission Canada. REC belongs to The AM Canada, and shares in the mission of making Christlike disciples from generation to generation.
Initially starting as a Chinese church to reach immigrants, God has blessed REC with families of all generations, which created a need for ministries for the English speaking, youth, children, and seniors. Our mission is not only reaching a single people group but also to seek the peace of God for the city, which encompasses all ethnic groups. We are learning to serve our city and build friendships with our diverse community.
Through making disciples, loving our community, baptizing all people, and growing families in the love of Jesus Christ, we are excited for what God has prepared for us in this story that he is writing!
