While pastoring in Vancouver, Daniel To encouraged his Cantonese-speaking congregation to go on a short-term mission trips to Brazil. Their lives were changed when they witnessed the struggles of Chinese immigrants in Brazil. Many work seven days per week, 11 hours per day in the restaurant industry.
Immigrants have been transformed by hearing the Gospel and receiving Jesus Christ as their Savior. Despite their gruelling work schedules, they make time to gather. One Chinese congregation starts their worship services at 10 pm! Their pastor has challenged those who are business owners to trust God and close on Sundays. “They have seen miracles, earning the same income despite being closed on Sundays,” says Daniel.
On trips to Brazil with his former congregation, Daniel built a relationship with a Brazilian Chinese pastor who used to be a “snakehead” (immigrant smuggler). Chinese immigrants pay snakeheads the equivalent of two years’ salary to smuggle them into Brazil.
During the pandemic, the Brazilian pastor invited Daniel to do an online discipleship course over Zoom. About 22 Brazilian Chinese believers from Rio and the nearby cities study with Daniel each week. “They are eager to learn,” says Daniel, who pastors a Chinese Church Association (CCA) congregation in Toronto. This initiative helps the Chinese Church Association “carry the gospel to the whole world.”
From Thinking Ahead Spring 2022