Toronto Long Liang Church

Toronto Long Liang Church. A name whispered with reverence by some, discovered with delight by others. This church, nestled in Markham, Ontario, has a captivating story to tell. It’s a story of faith, perseverance, and a journey across continents. Toronto Long Liang Church traces its roots back to 1942 Shanghai. Dr. Timothy S.K. Dzao founded the Ling Liang Worldwide Evangelistic Mission Association there. His vision was clear: “Go ye into the world and preach the gospel to all people.” The association moved to Hong Kong in 1949 with Dr. Dzao. From there, the gospel spread to Taiwan, Indonesia, India, Japan, and North America. Churches blossomed in each location, seeds of faith taking root in diverse lands. The Toronto chapter began in the hearts of believers who had emigrated from Hong Kong and India, carrying their Ling Liang ties with them. During the 1980s and 1990s, nine families from Hong Kong settled in Toronto. They found solace and community in shared worship. In the spring of 1998, they felt a divine calling. Guided by their faith, they formally established the Toronto Long Liang Church, holding their first service in September 1998. They haven’t missed a Sunday service since. In January 1999, Pastor Ting Tao Chiu joined Toronto Long Liang Church. He brought with him experience as the associate pastor of Ling Liang Churches in Calcutta, India. He also served as pastor for Grace Chinese Church in Toronto, a congregation of Hakka and English-speaking believers from India. He ministered to both congregations, often preaching in two different locations on Sundays. Toronto Long Liang Church continued to grow, its numbers swelling from twenty to over forty. However, resources were stretched thin. This led to discussions with Grace Chinese Church, culminating in a merger in January 2002. The unified congregation became the Grace Ling Liang Church, the name it holds to this day. From humble beginnings in 1998, Toronto Long Liang Church blossomed. Starting with virtually nothing, they learned to serve the Lord and minister to one another. They embraced the principle of learning through service, growing through learning, and edifying through growth. Their journey has been one of striving towards maturity, deeply rooted in faith and bearing much fruit.