中
信
之
友
2026
6月版
愛．樂團：原來夢想不會因年齡而過期
對很多退休人士來說，人生好像已經走過了大半旅程。有些年輕時想做的事，因著工作、家庭和生活的忙碌，一直放在心裡，卻始終沒有機會開始。音樂，對“愛．樂團”的不少成員來說，就是這樣的一個夢想。
“愛．樂團”於 2024 年 10 月成立，由一群熱愛音樂的退休人士組成。當中不少人從未接觸過樂器，不懂看譜，也曾懷疑自己是否已經過了學習的年紀。然而，他們選擇踏出第一步，每星期抽出兩小時，一起學習烏克麗麗、吉他、鋼琴、鼓和歌唱，在彼此鼓勵和支持中共同成長。
感恩的是，這份認真和投入吸引了越來越多朋友加入。有人為了學好自己的樂器而努力練習，也有人為了整個團隊的合奏一次又一次地反覆練習。從生疏到熟悉，從個人學習到團隊合作，每一步都見證著他們的堅持和成長。
“愛．樂團”不單是一個學習音樂的平台，更是一個彼此陪伴、彼此建立的群體。他們的故事提醒我們：成長從來不是年輕人的專利。無論人生走到哪一個階段，只要願意踏出一步，仍然可以繼續學習、繼續成長，也可以成為別人的鼓勵與祝福。
當成長遇上信仰
每一個生命的成長，都有屬於自己的故事。
今年 12 歲的 Jemmy，大約在兩年前開始接觸信仰。對很多人來說，他只是一個平凡的青少年，但在成長的路上，他也曾經歷過不少內心的掙扎。過去，他常常感到害怕，晚上容易發惡夢，心裡總有一些說不出的不安。然而，隨著他慢慢認識耶穌、學習禱告，他開始學習把心中的擔憂交託給神，也慢慢在信仰裡找到平安和安全感。
這份成長並不是一夜之間發生的，而是在一次又一次的禱告、一點一滴的學習中慢慢建立起來。今天的 Jemmy，不但願意繼續認識神，也開始嘗試用自己所學習的鋼琴來服事神。當被問到信仰對他的意義時，他分享了一句很簡單卻令人感動的話：「我希望我不會離棄神，我希望一直都在祂的保護之中。」這句話或許沒有華麗的詞藻，卻流露出一顆真誠依靠神的心。
Jemmy 的故事，也讓我們看見今天許多青少年所面對的真實處境。他們同樣會經歷壓力、恐懼、迷惘和成長中的掙扎。因此，中信多倫多於 5 月 21 日正式推出全新的青少年 Podcast，希望透過年輕人的真實分享，讓正在成長中的青少年知道：原來曾經有人走過相似的路，也曾面對類似的困難。
我們盼望這個平台不單能鼓勵青少年，也能幫助家長、導師和牧者更了解他們內心的世界，聆聽他們的聲音，明白他們所需要的支持與陪伴。因為每一個生命都在成長，而在成長的路上，沒有人需要獨自前行。
當我們開始看見
有時候，成長不一定來自課堂或書本，而是來自一個人願意走近另一個人的生命。
最近幾個月，一位新加入中信多倫多中心義工團隊的義工，除了在前台接待來訪者，也參與了報稅服務。在分享過程中，他提到自己過去多年一直在教會參與服事，也經常聽牧者提到社區的需要、弱勢群體的處境，以及教會關懷社會的重要。然而，這些年來，許多事情對他而言更多停留在聽見和理解的層面。直到真正參與中信多倫多中心的服務，他才發現，原來那些需要並不遙遠。
每天在前台接觸不同的人，有人為生活憂慮，有人為家庭煩惱，也有人因為語言、經濟或孤單而需要幫助。透過報稅服務，他更有機會接觸許多基層家庭和長者，看見他們面對的實際困難。這些經歷讓他深深感受到，社區裡的需要遠比自己想像中更多，也更真實。
他分享說，參與城市宣教最寶貴的收穫，不只是幫助了別人，而是自己的眼界被打開了。原來在我們每天生活的城市裡，就有許多人正在默默承受壓力，也有許多人正在等待被看見、被關心。這份看見，也讓他對信仰有了更深的體會。因為福音不只是教會裡所聽見的信息，也是在真實的需要中活出來的愛。
當我們願意走近人群，願意停下腳步去聆聽和關心，我們不單看見別人的需要，也會看見神正在我們身邊所做的工作。或許，這正是成長最美的地方——不只是生命被改變，更是眼光被改變。
因為每一個生命都在成長，而有時候，成長正是從「看見」開始。
感恩與代禱
- 感謝主為中信多倫多中心預備家庭事工統籌，負責青少年及青年事工。 求主帶領她與團隊同心服事，陪伴和建立年輕一代的生命，幫助他們在成長路上認識自己、認識神，也認識神對他們生命的心意。
- 求主繼續供應事工所需的資源和經費。 面對社區中許多真實而迫切的需要，求神使用中信多倫多中心成為祝福的橋樑，把關懷、盼望和福音帶到更多人的生命當中。
NEWSLETTER
JUN
2026
Love Music Ensemble: It’s Never Too Late to Pursue a Dream
For many retirees, life can feel as though most of the journey has already been traveled. Dreams they once had in their younger years were often set aside as work, family responsibilities, and the demands of everyday life took priority. For many members of the Love Music Ensemble, learning music was one of those dreams.
Founded in October 2024, the Love Music Ensemble brings together a group of retirees who share a passion for music. Many of them had never played an instrument before, could not read music, and wondered whether they were simply too old to learn. Yet they chose to take that first step.
Each week, they dedicate two hours to learning ukulele, guitar, piano, drums, and singing. Along the way, they encourage one another, support one another, and grow together.
What has been especially encouraging is that their enthusiasm and commitment have inspired more people to join. Some members spend hours practicing to improve their own skills, while others put in extra effort so the group can perform better together. From hesitant beginners to confident musicians, and from individual learning to teamwork, every step reflects their perseverance and growth.
The Love Music Ensemble is more than a music program. It is a community where people build friendships, encourage one another, and continue growing together.
Their story reminds us that personal growth is not reserved for the young. No matter what stage of life we are in, there is always room to learn something new, develop new skills, and become a source of encouragement and blessing to others.
After all, dreams do not come with an expiry date.
When Growth Meets Faith
Every young person has a story, and every journey of growth is unique.
Twelve-year-old Jemmy first began exploring faith about two years ago. To many people, he may seem like an ordinary teenager, but like many young people, he has faced his own struggles along the way.
In the past, Jemmy often felt afraid. He experienced frequent nightmares and carried a sense of anxiety he couldn’t always explain. As he gradually learned about Jesus and began to pray, he started bringing his worries to God. Over time, he found a growing sense of peace, comfort, and security through his faith.
This transformation did not happen overnight. It was built little by little—through prayer, learning, and a growing relationship with God.
Today, Jemmy continues to grow in his faith and has even begun using his piano skills to serve God. When asked what faith means to him, he shared a simple yet heartfelt response: “I hope I never leave God. I want to stay under His protection.”
Those words may be simple, but they reflect a sincere trust in God and a desire to walk closely with Him.
Jemmy’s story also reflects the reality many young people face today. They experience pressure, fear, uncertainty, and the challenges that come with growing up. Recognizing these struggles, CCM Toronto Centre launched a new Youth Podcast on May 21st. Through honest conversations and real-life stories from young people, the podcast aims to remind youth that they are not alone—that others have walked similar paths and faced similar challenges.
We hope this platform will not only encourage young people, but also help parents, mentors, and pastors better understand the world they live in. By listening to their voices, we can better support, guide, and walk alongside them.
Because every life is still growing, and no one should have to navigate that journey alone.
When We Begin to See
Sometimes growth doesn’t come from a classroom or a book. Sometimes it begins when one person chooses to step into another person’s life.
Over the past few months, a new volunteer at CCM Toronto Centre has been serving both at our front desk and through our tax clinic. As we spoke with him, he shared that he had been involved in church ministry for many years. He had often heard pastors talk about community needs, vulnerable populations, and the importance of Christians caring for society. Yet for much of his life, these realities remained something he understood in theory rather than experienced personally.
That changed when he began serving at CCM Toronto Centre. He met people carrying different burdens. Some were worried about making ends meet. Others were struggling with family challenges. Many needed support because of language barriers, financial hardship, or simply loneliness. Through the tax clinic, he also had the opportunity to meet many seniors and low-income families, gaining a firsthand understanding of the challenges they face.
These experiences opened his eyes. He realized that the needs within our community are far greater—and far closer—than he had ever imagined.
When reflecting on his experience, he shared that the greatest blessing of serving in urban ministry was not simply helping others. It was seeing the world differently. He came to recognize that, in the very city where we live, many people are quietly carrying heavy burdens and waiting for someone to notice, listen, and care.
That new perspective also deepened his faith. He discovered that the gospel is not only a message we hear in church—it is love lived out in the midst of real human needs.
When we are willing to slow down, listen, and walk alongside others, we begin to see more than just the needs around us. We begin to see God at work in our community and in our own lives.
Perhaps that is one of the most beautiful parts of growth—not only that lives are changed, but that our vision is changed as well.
Because every life is growing, and sometimes growth begins with simply learning to see.
Praise & Prayer
- Thank God for providing a Family Ministry Coordinator for Youth and Young Adults Ministry. Pray that she will serve effectively alongside the ministry team as they help young people grow in faith and discover God’s purpose for their lives.
- Pray for God’s continued provision of resources and funding. As CCM Toronto Centre serves many real needs in the community, may God use our ministries to bring care, hope, and the gospel to more people.
