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The first marriage among the second gens in Canada

We thank God for establishing a beautiful family and house church between shepherd Paul Lee Jr. and missionary Lydia Shin in North York UBF, Canada on July 30, 2011. About 300 people attended the wedding including guests from USA UBF chapters as well as all Canadian UBF chapters. Shepherd Paul Lee Jr. is the first son of missionary Paul and Joan Lee in North York UBF. Missionary Lydia Shin is the youngest daughter of shepherd Abraham and Sarah Shin in Kwangju UBF, Korea. Missionary Luke Hong from Montreal UBF officiated the wedding ceremony with 1 Peter 5:2, “Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, serving as overseers—not because you must, but because you are willing as God wants you to be, as God wants you to be…” This wedding address encouraged the new couple to grow as willing and sacrificial shepherds of God’s flock. It also planted God’s hope and vision in the couple as well as all the attendants including the second gens. God blessed this marriage through prayer blessings by Pastor Mark Vucekovich, Dr. Daniel Lee, Andrew Han, John Giesbrecht, Elijah Park, and Joshua Lee. Pastor Samuel G.Lee from Ottawa UBF served the declaration of marriage. Pastor Paul Hong from Toledo UBF gave them the words of encouragement and benediction. Shepherd Andrew Christopher from Montreal UBF conducted a small orchestra very joyfully. And Montreal CBF children’s choir, Grace Lee’s solo and North York UBF missionaries’ ensemble were offered to bless the wedding. During the reception led by Luke Hong Jr and John J. Lee, each Canadian chapter prepared a hearty program—video presentation, dance, music, and the words of blessing. It was like a heavenly banquet full of joy, blessing and meaning.

This marriage is very significant, because it was the first marriage among the second gens in Canada. Three pastors, Luke Hong, Samuel G. Lee and Paul Hong, blessed the wedding, giving the new couple full blessings. Especially, Dr. Paul Hong and Sarah Hong from Toledo UBF came to North York UBF one day early and held a special prayer meeting for young couple. Shepherd Paul and missionary Lydia recited the Ten Commandments and the Lord’s prayer together and shared their life testimonies. Dr. Paul Hong emphasized in his address that establishing the families of faith is quite important based on Joshua 24:15b “but as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” Passing the baton of faith to the next generation is an important mission as parents. In that prayer meeting, four servants of God prayed for Paul and Lydia.

We really thank for God’s abundant blessing upon this marriage and for all the guests who traveled far in order to bless the wedding. We thank God for their love and their hearty gifts. We thank God for our North York coworkers’ devotion to prepare the wedding behind the scene with earnest prayers and labours. May God bless the newly married couple to grow as shepherds of God’s flock and to be a source of blessing for Canadian campus pioneering work and the world mission.

M. Isaac C. Kim of North York UBF