Leading the way
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TORONTO — Nestled in the heart of the Toronto Ontario Stake is the small, but powerful, North York Branch, composed of 69 Korean-speaking members.
Four years ago these Korean members were scattered throughout wards in the greater Toronto area. They yearned to worship in their language. Priesthood leaders considered the difficulty of travel and needs of the members and felt to organize a branch in September 2003.
Distance has not proven to be a problem. Sohn Kyung Sun, Relief Society president, lives 50 miles away in Bowmanville and drives to Toronto at least twice a week. The week before Christmas she commuted five times.
"I don't mind the drive," she said. "My testimony wasn't growing in the English-speaking ward that was only one mile from my home. I needed to be with my own people and hear the gospel in my language."
As the North York Branch has become established, it has come to lead the stake in most categories. Sacrament meeting attendance is, at times, more than 100 percent due to the number of investigators, according to stake membership figures.
And, according to stake records:
Home teaching averages 70 percent, with visiting teaching averaging 80 percent.
Every family and most singles have stored food.
Melchizedek Priesthood holders attend 90 percent of the time, while Relief Society sisters attend 88 percent of the time, compared with 50 percent activity for the stake.
Among the youth, 92 percent of the young men attend regularly, with 97 percent of the young women.
In Primary, 87 percent of the children attend.
This high activity rate, they say, is due to their unity, commitment, dedication, work ethic and love for each other and the gospel.
Still, the Spirit in the branch is strong. New investigators or visitors are welcomed warmly by name from the pulpit. All in the branch attend baptismal services.
Members enjoy a delicious Korean meal together each week. They assist one another during the week with major projects.
The branch family cares deeply for one another, leaders said. When Chang Soon Tae was diagnosed with a terminal illness, the branch members rallied around to fast and pray. Today, doctors are amazed at her improving health.
Many young people in the branch are in Canada to learn English and attend a university. Their schedules are demanding, but they seldom decline an invitation from missionaries to help teach a lesson.
Among the many faithful members are Seung Hwan Park and Chang Ki Hong Park who came to Canada years ago and wanted to open a shoe repair shop. They found a suitable location in a new mall; however, requirements to build in the mall demanded they be open on Sunday.
The Parks wouldn't agree and asked that the contract be altered. They were told their request wasn't possible. Yet, they felt it was possible if they prayed and fasted.
When they returned to meet with the mall manager, he said, "I don't know why I'm doing this, but we won't require you to open on Sunday."
Won Jae Sang and Kyung Mark Keum, a young couple from Korea recently engaged, were taught by the missionaries and desired to be baptized. But first, they wanted to be married.
During Relief Society one Sunday morning it was announced that they would be married on Wednesday and baptized on Friday. The sisters in the branch arranged everything except the wedding dress. Come Wednesday, the branch gathered, witnessed the wedding and enjoyed a lovely reception afterward. They returned several days later for the baptisms.
Shortly thereafter, Won Jae Sang was called as a counselor in the Young Men presidency and Kyung Mark Keum as secretary in the Relief Society.
Four missionaries from the Canada Toronto East Mission are assigned to work in the branch throughout their mission. They are transferred among themselves. There have been 13 baptisms in the last year. All converts have remained active because of the love and acceptance they feel in their new gospel family, said stake leaders.
President Arnold Moore, first counselor in the Toronto stake said, "The quality of the Korean members is impressive. These are former bishops and high councilors who have come to Canada to find a better life. Many of them work two or three jobs, yet have time for their Church callings.
"I remember a branch dinner," President Moore continued. "The branch was divided into three tables. At each table they were assigned to discuss how to implement the mission of the Church in the branch."
They were charting a course they now follow as a branch.
