Rev. Chiun-Chia (Paul) Tong was named Outstanding Alumnus by the Taiwan Theological College and Seminary on June 18 during the convocation of the 2010 graduating class.
Tong said he is humbled by the award and wishes to share it with his wife, Suzie for being responsible for half of his ministry. He dedicates the award to the many Canadian Presbyterian missionaries who went to Taiwan since the 18th century, starting with Rev. Dr. George Leslie MacKay, who founded the seminary.
Born in Taiwan, the 80-year-old Tong now lives in Vancouver, following an international journey of ministry and missionary work. Upon his seminary graduation in 1955, he ministered for 10 years at various Presbyterian churches in Taiwan. In 1965, he was installed as an overseas missionary by the Presbyterian Church in Taiwan, and served at a Presbyterian church in Singapore until 1969. In 1970, he immigrated to Brazil and founded the first Chinese Christian Church in Rio de Janeiro. He moved to Vancouver in 1980, and served at various Chinese churches in Vancouver and Richmond, B.C., until being accepted into the Presbyterian Church in Canada two years later. He then became the Presbyterian chaplain at the Anglican-run Missions to Seamen. He retired in 1995, but continued part-time ministry at that mission until 2000.
He will make his way to Rio de Janeiro in October for the 40th anniversary of the church he founded in 1970. — A.M.
