Author/Photographer 筆者/攝影: 胡斯翰 Stephen Woo
我還記得年少時在教會的一次聚會時，導師問我們：「耶穌在哪裡？」我們的回答都是：「耶穌在我家裡，在我禱告裡，在我心裡，在查經班裡，在崇拜裡，在教會裡......」突然間，一位年輕人大聲回答說：「耶穌一定和那些古惑仔和舞女一起打邊爐！」他這番話引來了一陣笑聲，但導師表示他的回答都是正確的。耶穌並不一定在意我們是否有堂皇華貴的教堂，但祂一定關心世上最需要的人！就像耶穌所說的：「健康的人用不著醫生，有病的人才用得著。」（馬太福音9:12）耶穌來不是召義人，而是召罪人。（馬太福音9:13）導師接著問，如果耶穌今天在多倫多，你認為祂會在哪裡服侍？我們回答說，祂應該會在「教堂街」（Church Street）。
今年初夏，Tyndale AACC天道神學院華人校友會的一群同工有機會跟隨一位十多年前在Tyndale畢業的同學，探訪並了解她所服事的事工。由於她所服侍的事工性質比較敏感，不便透露她的姓名。她是一位本地宣教士，工作就是服事和幫助一些經歷性販賣和性工作的人士。透過心靈關懷、實質支援、物資援助、外展活動和信仰尋求，全方位地關心和幫助這些有需要的人，從傷害到康復，從剝削到建立，透過行動將耶穌基督的愛傳遞給社會中最需要的人。她所服侍的機構名叫 Fight4Freedom（www.fight4freedom.ca）。
那天下午，這位本土宣教士帶領我們同學會到她所服侍的區域，就在多倫多的教堂街（Church Street）和附近的幾個街口，一邊走一邊解釋，從地方和地理環境了解性販賣和性工作者的生活狀況。當這位宣教士分享她和同工們半夜去這個品流複雜的社區關懷有需要的人時，其中一位校友會的同工問她是否擔心危險？她回答說「不擔心」。令我最敬佩的不僅是她的答案，而是她回答時所流露出的微笑和堅定的眼神。我從她的臉上看到耶穌，那個「沒有懼怕只有愛」的容貌。若非神先愛我們，哪裡會有這份真摯而無懼的愛呢？更值得一提的是，她在這個工作中已經超過十多年了，其中結出了許多神的恩典的果子！
我們在教堂街區域一邊走一邊為這個社區祈禱。沿途我們也見到露宿者、有精神健康困擾的人以及生活有需要的人在教堂門口等待著物資的派發。教堂街（Church Street），顧名思義，教堂林立。曾經有朋友問我，為什麼教堂林立的地方會有如此複雜的社會狀況？其實，如果我們用世俗的眼光去看，我們只會看到那些品流的差異，但如果我們用耶穌的眼光去看，就會看到這些教會人士愛和憐憫的一面。
事實上，耶穌的愛不僅存在於教堂內，也存在於教堂之外！感謝天父，透過這位本土宣教士的服侍，我更清楚地明白主耶穌的胸懷。
I remember during a gathering at church when I was younger, the teacher asked us, 'Where is Jesus?' Our responses were all along the lines of: 'Jesus is in my home, in my prayers, in my heart, in Bible study, in worship, in the church...' Suddenly, a young person boldly exclaimed, 'Jesus must be having a hot pot with gangsters and sex workers!' This statement caused laughter among the group, but the teacher affirmed that the answer was correct. Jesus doesn't necessarily concern Himself with whether we have grand and magnificent churches, but He certainly cares for the most needy people in the world! Just as Jesus said, 'It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick' (Matthew 9:12), Jesus came not to call the righteous, but sinners' (Matthew 9:13). The teacher then asked, if Jesus were in Toronto today, where would you imagine Him serving? Our response was, He would likely be on 'Church Street.'
In early summer this year, a group of fellow students from Tyndale AACC (Alumni Association Chinese Chapter) had the opportunity to accompany a classmate who graduated from Tyndale over ten years ago, to visit and learn about the ministry she serves. Due to the sensitive nature of her ministry, we cannot disclose her name. She is a local missionary, working to serve and assist individuals impacted by sex trafficking and the sex industry. Through spiritual care, practical support, material aid, outreach activities, and seeking faith, she provides comprehensive care and assistance to those in need, helping them transition from harm to healing, from exploitation to empowerment. Through her actions, she conveys the love of Jesus Christ to those in society who need it the most. The organization she serves is called Fight4Freedom (www.fight4freedom.ca).
That afternoon, this local missionary led our group to the area she serves, right on Church Street in downtown Toronto and its neighboring streets. As we walked and listened to her explanations, we gained an understanding of the living conditions of sex trafficked individuals and sex workers in that area. When the missionary shared that she and her colleagues go to this complex community at midnight to care for those in need, one of our fellow alumni asked if she was worried about the danger. She replied, 'I'm not worried.' What impressed me the most was not only her answer but also the smile and confident gaze she had when she replied. I saw Jesus in her countenance, the face of one who has 'no fear, only love.' If it weren't for God's love for us first, where would this genuine and fearless love come from? It's worth mentioning that she has been serving in this capacity for over ten years, and the abundant fruit is all by God's grace!
As we walked through the Church Street area, we prayed for the community. Along the way, we also encountered homeless individuals, people with mental health issues, and those in need waiting at the church entrances for material distributions. As the name suggests, Church Street is lined with numerous churches. Some have asked me why an area with so many churches can have such complex social issues. In fact, if we view it from a worldly perspective, we only see the differences in social issues. But if we view it through the lens of Jesus, we see the compassionate side of these Christians.
Indeed, Jesus' love extends not only within the church but also beyond it! I'm grateful that through the service of this local missionary, I have gained a deeper understanding of the heart of our Lord Jesus.
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