Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ.
Please feel free to write any memories, encouragements or testimonies of Pastor Yik for his family, Pauline, Leo and Lydia on this blog by clicking on “Comments” and the page will drop down for you to write your comment.
Pastor Stephen Yik 
Dear Mrs. Yik,
We’re all so very sorry to learn of Dr. Yik’s passing. He was such a gentle, peaceful man, and well respected & loved by all who had the privilege of getting to know him. Our hearts are open to you, and we will be there for you when you need us. You’re in our prayers. Jack
Dear Mrs. Yik and family,
I know Dr. Yik is smiling from heaven now because he is in Father’s arms. He must be singing beautiful praises with the angels. I could still hear his tenor voice from the Christmas Party we both attended. We had such fun singing together that evening. One day we’ll all be singing together again in heaven. What a wonderful celebration it will be to be united again with my beloved teacher and your beloved husband! Let’s look forward to it and take care…
With much love,
Wanda Wang
Good bye, my friend. I will dearly miss your smile, humor, wisdom, and generosity. Don’t worry about your family. They have many of us to love and cherish them.
See you in a little while, and we will sing our hearts out in the eternal choir.
Victor
易牧師在我們教會最後一次證道的經文、是出自馬太福音 5:9 ﹕使人和睦的人有福了！因為他們必稱為神的兒子。易牧師告訴我們，要做神的孩子，我們在世上要努力做到的就是使人和睦，而這種努力就算在實行上可能不會有成果，但我們的心裡依然必須對他人（甚至是敵人）懷著和睦的意願。
當然，在教會裡聽到這樣的教導、應該不算稀奇，但是依我個人的感受，每一次站在易牧師身邊擔任口譯的工作時，他所說出的信息都是會進入我心裡面的，聽起來可能很奇怪，但對我來說這不能不算是難得的。做為口譯員，注意聽講員所說的話是必然要努力的，但是往往是限於技術上的操作，聽了、進去腦中分析、處理、說出去、然後往往就付諸腦後了。尤有甚者，有時在講員說出一些好像有點問題的教導、或是事先知道了講員一些不足與外人道的私德事件時，口譯上我就無法完全投入，有些趕快做完交差的衝動。這樣的成見也許正是我須要改正的地方，但在幫易牧師翻譯時，我從沒有經歷過心口不一的窘狀，這是因為神對我的憐憫，也是易牧師的人格所致。
媽媽曾經說她喜歡聽易牧師講道，第一是因為他的講章條理分明，對聖經和背景的了解透徹，而且沒有廢話，但更難得的是、易牧師講道是從心靈裡面講出來的。所以、易牧師鼓勵我們要使人和睦，我信服，因為我相信易牧師就是一個使人和睦的人。我相信易牧師能使人和睦，因為他是個在寬廣的人。
神藉著易牧師的風範給了我面對未來的勇氣，他是幾位讓我有這樣體驗的長輩之一，這些長輩讓我看見選擇窄門的人卻能夠得到越來越寬廣的心胸，而且與刻板印象相反的是、歲月的增長並不必然會使人狹隘（『照著我們意願和訂下的法子、傳統、就是虔敬、屬靈，不聽話就是向世界靠攏輸誠…』），他們使我敢對人生的下半場保持樂觀的期望。奇妙的是、這幾位長輩都曾在各地神學院裡任教，也許神給了他們滄海的閱歷，讓他們對小池塘裡的風暴都能夠以平淡待之。
幾個月以前，媽媽開始被憂慮症所苦、日子過得很辛苦，不但得對付生理、心理方面的諸多不適，而且也擔心這病對我們教會生活的衝擊，因為老實說，基督教會對心理、精神科的病變普遍地無法正面看待，我自己曾經在某教會裡聽見長執輩宣稱、為心理疾病所苦的弟兄姐妹都是『吃飽了撐著』，也曾在某教會裡看見一位長輩教訓一位得到恐懼症的弟兄，要他不要再『胡思亂想』、要『像個男人』、『振作起來』，我看著那位站著挨訓的弟兄背影，只聽他口中喏喏、背卻越來越駝了…
就算反應不這麼強硬，教會中未曾有對付過這些病症的弟兄姐妹們、依然會在面對這些心理病患們時充滿無力感，頂多說一些『要靠主剛強、靠主喜樂』、或是『多讀經、多禱告』的『屬靈行話』。這時我和媽媽也只能點頭做『謹受教』的樣子，真的、這樣的理想那個基督徒不知道、不會說呢？
然而，易牧師和師母卻能我們的困境做出最適切的關懷、顯示出豐沛的恩賜，對媽媽的病情既不會大驚小怪，也不會故意漠視，而且因為他們的閱歷，對媽媽的軟弱、和她的須要都能夠徹底了解，鼓勵她接受醫師的幫助、按時服用藥物療程，而且扮演了心靈輔導的角色，更不用提與媽媽一起懇切禱告了，牧師、師母說『不要不好意思，須要我們幫忙就說，我們一定盡力』的時候，他們真的不是說說而已喔，我們親身體驗到種種的幫助，真的是媽媽如今病情穩定、我的日常生活也可以無後顧之憂的一大原因。
如今，牧師卻回到他最嚮往的家去了…聽到他病逝的消息，教會裡的一位年輕人感嘆地說﹕「易牧師講道常常提到天國，現在他已經去那邊等我們了。」牧師，我們這些生命被你觸及的人、都期待我們列車到站的日子，你一定會在月台和我們重聚吧。希望在世上的日子，我們也和你一樣、越活越寬廣（我不是說身材啊…）。
師母，謝謝妳為我們所做的一切，我知道、失去牧師對妳來說是一件最悲慟的事，我們也都很心痛妳，雖然我很怕攪亂妳和家人的心情，但如果有任何我們可以為妳做的事、任何我們可以幫牧師完成的心願，真的、請妳一定要告訴我們。希望妳知道我們的心意後也能夠得到一些安慰，牧師的一生是我們這許多人的祝福，他的生命比世上所有的富翁還豐盛。最後，謝謝妳為我們所做的一切，也謝謝妳這一向以來默默做著牧師的幫助和後盾。我們雖軟弱，卻依然一直為妳禱告著，願主安慰保守妳。阿門！
Dear Mrs. Yik and Family,
I really envy you because of the time you have spent with Pastor Yik. His loving and spiritual nature has really been a blessing in my life. Even during the brief moments studying under and co-working with him, I found him a model of a solid Christian with a deep well of spiritual knowledge, musical talents (such a beautiful tenor voice), and true life experiences.
I am very thankful for your life, Pastor Yik, because you have definitely lived it to its fullest. I am also therefore thankful that you are in a better place with your Father and my beloved mom rejoicing with the Angels. I look forward to joining you two when that glorious day comes.
Prayerfully,
Rona
We first met Pastor Yik at Chinese Christian Church of Thousand Oaks in 1985 when we moved from Chicago to Canejo Valley. Shortly, we were invited to his house for a welcome newcomers’ party. Pastor Yik took us to tour the serene and beautiful lake Lindero from his backyard with a little boat. We found Pastor Yik to be very talented in music and very passionate about conducting the choir. Through his encouragement, Amy & I participated in the CCCTO choir for many years and learned a lot from him. Also through Pastor Yik’s encouragement, we became involved with Sunday school and Owen served on the deacon board for more than 10 years. Our daughter Faith was dedicated to the Lord with Pastor Yik’s baby dedication ceremony in 1989.
When I was serving as deacon board chairman, Pastor Yik and I met frequently at Denny’s restaurant in Agoura Hills on Friday morning for many months during the difficult times at church. We talked, discussed and prayed earnestly to God for His guidance. Pastor Yik was always very open and candid, but always remained joyful and was constantly smiling. I was always moved by his faith in God and encouraged by his prayer for God’s solutions for the issues we encountered. Pastor Yik was a very faithful servant of God and a very gifted musician. We will miss him greatly.
Dear Mrs Yik and Family of Pastor Yik,
First, thank you for the joy and fellowship you brought to our family. Both my mother and I were baptized by Pastor Yik at the Thousand Oaks Church. Pastor Yik brought Christianity into our lives thru his walking with God. His life was a big testimony and witness for his faith, and the Lord’s faith in him. We know life had not been easy for your family, with many trials and what in worldly terms might be considered misfortune. But your faith had shown that God’s plans are above human’s plans, and indeed God blessed your family in His wondrous ways. And in turn we have been blessed by you.
We are sad to hear of Pastor’s leaving this world, but also rejoice of him joining another world, one that is perfect with the presence of God. We pray for His comfort for your family during this difficult time. May the Lord bless you with strength and peace, and plenty of love from fellow brothers, sisters and friends. We look forward to singing with Pastor again in the new world.
Goodbye for now, dear Pastor Yik; I should have taken you up on the fishing lessons when I had the chance :)
Sincerely and God bless,
Chung
Pauline, I have fond memories of working together with Stephen teaching some of St. Paul’s letter to the students at the OMS Hong Kong Bible Seminary in 1964-63. He was a good interpreter and mentor
We came to the States together on the same ship in 1964. Unfortuately sea sickness caused him to miss the pleasure of the cruise. We rented a car in Honolulu and drove around the island. Then he rode with us from SF to Azusa. I remember having a meal in your home in Taichung. I have lots of memories of working with him and visiting you all in various places where you have lived.
Our prayers are with you and the family during these days.
Pastor Yik had the vision and foresight to start a English worship service and youth group at Chinese Christian Church. He was the presiding pastor while our church building was built.
I remember Pastor Yik as God’s humble servant, long suffering and strong in faith. His meekness endeared himself to many seekers and others weak in faith. He led many to the lord.
As I read 1 Peter 2:21-23 and Mt 12:19-20, I am mindful of the example Pastor Yik has set.
Since Jan of 1995, Pastor and Mrs. Yik attended Leo’s bed side, almost daily, at Pleasant Valley Convalescent Hospital , performing many duties of a nurse. Their love for Leo, absence of complaint and joy in face of adversity is a witness to us all of their faith in God.
Pastor Yik was the interim pastor when our church was in search of a new pastor. Pastor and Mrs. Yik would drive up from Thousand Oaks to Santa Barbara almost every Sunday and helped in preaching, teaching, visitation, and just spent time with us. The time I spent with Pastor and Mrs. Yik in visiting other brothers and sisters in our church was most memorable to me. Pastor Yik also helped led many to Christ and baptized them. They continuously spent time caring for our church even during the difficult time with their son Leo. Pastor Yik treated everyone around him as his co-workers rather than his subordinates. He was like a brother to many of us despite of his age and vast experience. Pastor Yik was always able to look at the scripture and explained it from a different point of view. We enjoyed many meals with Pastor and Mrs. Yik together and the boat ride in the lake behind their house was always a memorable experience.
Pastor Yik was a gift from God to our church many years ago. Today, he is a gift to God and he is with God. Pastor Yik, we will miss you and your smiling face greatly. Until we meet again.
STEPHEN姐夫;
多謝你過去與姐姐的合一同心, 以致天父可賜我們姐弟妹有一個稱職的家姐, 照顧她两個妹妹和兩個細佬, 通通都做好, 雙反我們好多時並沒有好好的對她, 但她卻介懷, 亦從沒有減少她對弟妹的關懷, 姐夫, 沒有你對她的愛護和支持, 我們可能有一個這麽堅強和愛我們的姐姐, 如今你的離去, 心裡是難過, 但天父卻讓他安然的離世, 也是福氣, 日後我們在父家再會合相見。
亞B
Pastor Yik,
I remembered back in May 1985 when I first came to your church which was meeting at the Conejo Baptist Church near the park in Thousand Oaks. On that Sunday morning, I was supposed to go to the church in the valley but the Lord led me to you. Bro. Ho Chung-ling was preaching then and you gave the benediction. My initial impression of the church was “filled with either very young kids or mostly older retirees and not fitting for a young dynamic graduate like me”. When I was asked to stand up and introduce myself, I mentioned that I have just graduated from a Christian university in Oklahoma. Immediate after the church you came over and grapped my hands with the excitement that I have never seen before. Your first few words to me were “we have been praying for a youth worker and I believe you are the one!”. Those words hit me like a brick and the rest is history as I continued to serve in CCCTO as a youth counselor, Sunday School teacher and English deacon for more than 10 years mostly under your tutelage and guidance. During those times, you and “See Mo” (Pauline) would open your lakeside house and received me as one of your own for dinners and even staying over for the nite. We both share our love for fishing in which I learnt the virtue of patience. Throughout those years, I have seen your walk in Christ with your constant patience, agape love and quiet prayers whether in good times and bad times. These were special moments that touches my lives. Even after when I started my marriage and new family, you accepted us as your own. My two daughters remembered only one “Mok See” and that is you.
I also recalled those times after we have moved into our present facilities and how you have encouraged me as an English Deacon to organize an English service and also the building of the church children playground. You preached to us once a month in English and we prayed for an English pastor during those early days. I remembered fondly how you and I would drive up North to Mount Hermon conference and met up with Pastor Wayland Wong in the hope that he can introduce an English pastor to us. Our effort was not in vain, as a result of the conference, you managed to convince our Deacon board with your recommendation of Pastor Curtis Lowe as our first English pastor. Without your constant prayers, encouragements and support, CCCTO would not have been what it is today. Yet you took every thing in stride, never seek for people’s admiration and personal glory and only look to God’s grace and love.
After your retirement, you have continued to trust the Lord and never ceased to preach the gospel in Hong Kong and then returning to California to be closer to Leo and outreaching to the churches in Oxnard and Santa Barbara. Many lives were touched through your loving counsel, teaching and musical talents. Your love and sacrifice for Leo has always touched our lives.
Pastor Yik, we will dearly missed you but we look forward to seeing you again leading the heavenly choir and welcoming us when the day of reckoning is here for us. Meantime, we won’t say goodbye but see you later.
With God’s love and care,
Bernie, Kristen and Karissa Yaw
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
God Bless You!
Dear Mrs. Yik and Family:
So Le and I will always remember Pastor Yik as a caring and devoted Pastor who has always been kind, gentle and loving toward everyone. We have been inspired by his sermon and touched by his wisdom on many occasions when he and Mrs. Yik gave us counsel, particularly for So Le. We are sadden by Pastor Yik’s sudden departure, but we also rejoice knowing that this is God’s will and he will definitely be resting, singing, smiling and receiving his blessing by God’s side.
Mrs. Yik, you will always be our friend and we will always be there for you. Please feel free to call on us. We will continue to pray for you and your family.
In Christ,
Walter and So Le Yuen
a brief=”Pastor Yik and youth”:
Pastor Yik is passionate about helping young people to grow in faith. When he helped our church to find a pastor, he always reminded us that we should have a pastor who cares about youth development. When Pastor Yik grew up in Macao during the Sino-Japanese War, he met a homeless person who loved music as much as he did. It was a wartime period, and there was no school. They hanged around each other, gambled and going a bit wild. He helped the person whenever he had trouble with police. They later found Christ together, were baptized together, and became lifetime friends. Through this experience, Pastor Yik knew the importance of giving young people a lift. Even though he had miser salary, he gave money to young people to study, and gave free piano lessons when the students could not afford. It may surprise you that Pastor Yik didn’t like study and had poor grades when he was young. He didn’t play piano until the end of high school. After he found his true passion in life serving the Lord through music, everything changed. He finished all the course works of a master degree in social psychology, a master degree and Ph. D degree in music education in two years,
Pastor Yik wants to give young people an up-lifting experience. His house is always open to young people who are in trouble. God will reward you with your good work, Pastor Yik!
Harrison
The closest time that I could remember when my family first met Pastor Yik was probably somewhere in 1951/1952. I was just a little kid then and he was the choir conductor of a church in Macao. We named the church the “Triangle House” because it was a tiny, little one with only three corners. Yet he was very happy to lead the choir of 5 to 6 members including the little kid, me.
He taught us how to appreciate church music from reading “black bean notes” to singing hymns not only with our voices but also with our hearts and souls.
Besides music, Pastor Yik influenced me most was his total faith in Christ. In the past 55+ years, I have never heard him sigh or complain about God, not even once. He might have commented, once in a while, that the rice was cooked a little too hard or too soft, but never questioned or doubted God’s Will. Pastor Yik was always eager to help those in need, both spiritually and materially, thus touched so many hearts and led so many to the Lord.
Pastor Yik was a victorious Christian with dignity and integrity. He sure has earned his crown in Heaven.
Pastor Yik’s last Thanksgiving message:
We are fortunate to have Pastor Yik in our church delivering his message for the Thanksgiving of 2008. It is not easy to give a creative message for Thanksgiving with all the cliche in our brain. It is definitely the most memorable Thanksgiving message I can remember. it was very touching, thoughtful, moving, and creative. He started with “Zhi En” (knowing grace), continued with “Gan En” (feeling grace), and ended with “Kau En” (relying upon grace). The last part “relying upon grace” is particularly characteristic of him, reflecting his life-long teaching. Whatever our achievements in life, they should not inflate our ego, as we accomplish our mission in life by relying upon God’s grace.
We made a video recording of the message. We are blessed with the message. If you want to have a copy of the DVD, you can drop me a line.
Harrison
We first met Pastor Yik in 1984. We have joined CCCTO not too long ago and our first pastor has just left, and we are in need of a pastor. There were less than 80 people in the congregation meeting in the fellowship hall of a Baptist church. TO church was relatively new and her members came from varied backgrounds; and many in the deacon board have different ideas about how the church should be run. At that time, God has prepared Pastor Yik to come to lead the church. Looking back, he was indeed a blessing to our church. He was a man of faith, committing himself fully in God’s hands. He was mild-mannered, soft-spoken, and he never lost his temper. He worked very well with the deacon board; he has encouraged and helped me greatly, when I was just beginning to learn to serve.
It became apparent that the church will not grow well without its own church building. With our Lord’s blessing, Pastor Yik’s quiet leadership and the effort by several members, the church launched a church building project and the current CCCTO church was dedicated in 1989. As a gifted musician, one of Pastor Yik’s many talents, he composed a piece of music and the choir sang it during the dedication ceremony. It was a Joyous moment for the church, at the time with only may be 150 members.
Seeing the need of the English speaking members of the church, Pastor Yik encouraged some of us, myself included, to explore the formation of an English service. He has facilitated in many ways the pastoral search and eventually the English group was formed with the coming of Pastor Curtis Lowe, while he still served as the Chinese pastor. The Yiks also opened their home for the Cantonese members to have Cantonese fellowships. He was selfless and always put God’s will first.
Remembering Pastor Yik we will not forget his cooking. One of the fond memories we have is his ability to utilize different ingredients in cooking that compliment each other; such as cooking pork soup using figs from the tree grown in his yard. The delicate aroma brought out the sweetness of the pork and the taste was exquisite. Whenever we cook fig/pork soup, we remember his smiling face.
We moved out of So. Cal and soon after we heard about Leo’s surgery that left him paralyzed until today. We can imagine how much Pastor Yik and Mrs. Yik suffered through this ordeal; yet when we meet them by chance, we did not hear any complaints, just dedication to care for their son and continue serving God with joy.
We wish to encourage Pauline that Pastor has completed his journey on this world, and is resting in the Lord’s bosom. While we know we will surely see him again, we will miss his smile today.
師母、芬柏、愉棕，
昨天台英在電話中跟我說易牧師安息的消息，心中深感不捨。
今天我也寫了一篇緬懷易牧師的blog。網址是：
http://blog.xuite.net/mschiang/prayer/21821335
想跟師母說的是，易牧師真的很棒，對我們的影響很大，因著他的擺上我們深得幫助。雖然心中不捨，但深信易牧師已經得了他在救主那裡的獎賞。
易師母及家人平安:
願主用他安慰的手，擦去你們眼淚
當我們聽見消息, 內心覺得非常難過
易牧師是我們敬愛的老師/ 也是親近的老友，
還記得同他在妳們家後面, 以及在埔里的小溪釣魚
還記得摘妳們家可口的無花果……
如今
主已經息了他的勞苦
啊! 主的旨意總是善良
問候你們每一位
我們是有盼望的, 將來必在主前見他的面
潘偉信 周素琴
Dear Mrs. Yik and Family,
We are sadden to learn the sudden departure of Rev. Yik. You and your family are in our prayers. May the Lord of hope strengthen you and fill you with peace and comfort at this difficult time.
We first came to know Rev. Yik when we moved to Thousand Oaks back in 1985. For a number of years we served under his leadership at CCCTO primarily in the Youth and English ministry. Rev Yik was a humble and gentle servant of God who had a passion for the lost. While serving as youth counselors at CCCTO, once we received a letter from Leo. Though we cannot recall much of the details, we still remember a comment he made,” … not quite impressed with some teachings, however, Pastor Yik’s sermons are the ones I can really sink my teeth into …. “. Indeed, Rev. Yik deserved the admiration of his son and many others. His perseverance in serving God, His Church and his devotion to his family is a beautiful testimony of his character.
We praise God for the life of Rev. Yik. He has fought the good fight, kept his faith and is now resting in glory.
Sincerely,
Tin Chee and May Chun Kam
Dear Aunty Pauline, Leo, and Lydia –
I will always cherish my memories of Uncle Stephen taking my brother Sam and me fishing when we were kids, playing Tchaikovsky on the piano, and being a gracious host when my family would visit. Lots of love to your family right now and always.
Warmly,
Sharon Shammy Young
Dear Pauline, Leo, and Lydia,
Pastor Yik and your whole family have been a great blessing to my family and to me. Stephen’s and your example of Christ-like love, selfless humility, patience, generosity, graciousness, and godliness have inspired me to be a better Christian and better pastor.
I first met Pastor Yik when I came to serve at CCCTO in 1990. Your family was so warm to Carol, our newborn son Gabriel, and me. Though I only was blessed to work with Pastor Yik for a short time, he continued to pray for me and encourage me in my ministry. Stephen showed me how to serve the Lord faithfully and with a contrite spirit.
I praise God for your example of faith and trust in the Lord. Though you have gone through so many trials you always seek to give more than to receive. Now, in this time of grief we share with you, I hope you will receive even more of the love you have graciously given to countless people, and especially to the Body of Jesus Christ.
Pastor Yik’s love for Jesus, the Church, along with his smile, his laugh, and his gentleness always revealed a tender and humble heart. Thank you so much for sharing your lives and giving of yourselves to us all.
We love you,
Curtis, Carol, Gabriel, Angela and Nathaniel
Dear Stephen along with Pauline, Leo and Lydia:
Please be assured that you are always in our minds and prayers!
(Psalm 116: 15)
Bill and Lucy Young
啟年吾兄主內安息：
悵望千秋一灑淚 蕭條異代不同時 (啟示錄21: 4)
弟
楊東川敬輓
敬悼 易啟年牧師 安息主懷
「那美好的仗我已經打過了，當跑的路我已經跑盡了，所信的道我已經守住了，從此以後有公義的冠冕為我存留。」 (提後4:7-8)
中台神學院
董事長 謝明昇
院 長 陳 正 敬輓
暨全體教職員師生
2009.1.14.
My last Dim-sum with Pastor Yik:
On the day after Christmas of 2008, Sister Pauline informed us that she and Pastor Yik were coming to town. Sister Bonnie received instructions on how to get a table for eight at Peninsula Restaurant of Rowland Heights for what would become our last meal with Pastor Yik. It was a festival of Dim-Sum, served with unbaked cha-shao, shao-mai and tea. According to the Jewish tradition, four cups of wine must have been served at the last Supper. Instead, we drank uncounted cups of tea, one for celebration of the birth of Christ, one for passing of the old year, one for coming of the new year, and one for the unanticipated fairwell. Pastor Yik would not drink it again with us until he drinks it new with us in our Father’s Kingdom. It was a great California day with plenty of sunshine. Sister Bonnie got a room with a view and the outside noise was blocked by the closed door. What a memorable beautiful peaceful day. Brother James just came back from the Arab world. He recounted how the outside world is so different. Some people don’t even believe that the tragedy of 911 ever happened. Pastor Yik acknowledged it by nodding his head. His heart was probably getting weaker, and his brain was forgetting things quickly. However, his knowledge of the world was still with him. He would not forget anything when he stood up at the podium delivering his message. You would not even notice that certain worldly things were slipping away from him. He beamed with his well-known broad smiles. He knew that his days on the earth are numbered. He told Sister Pauline that all his life he had eaten too many fishes. When the day came, he would want his ashes to be spread over the ocean to feed them. He remembered days long time ago, when he first came to the US in a ship, and the difficult days at Washington University, St Louis, when Pauline had to work on her Ph T to allow him to study for his Ph D. Brother John and Sister Jessica were quietly listening, eating unbaked shao-mai, and drank tea. A throng was waiting outside to come in, and all meals had to end. We left the room reluctantly to let the hungry crowd come in. Brother Harrison just got back from Japan with all kinds of wagashi. The party decided to come down the hills of Rowland Heights, to the hills of Hacienda Heights, where Sister Rebecca would get the unbaked yokan ready and served with Japanese roasted green tea. The chatting continued, and the life stories evolved. Pastor Yik talked about his recent trip to Hong Kong, where a perceptible trend is causing great concern in him. In government, things were done by executive order without full consultation with the elected councils. In church, decisions were made by pastors without full consultation with the elders and deacons. Is Judas betraying the Kingdom of Christ? Pastor Yik is a great believer in harmony and common vision. When he first arrived at CCCTO as a pastor, a condition of the appointment was that he had to share the Sunday podium with the brothers in the church, as many would want to share the words of God. Pastor Yik had no problem with this concept. He told the brothers: if anyone is a prophet from God or has words from God, he can share with the congregation. In the end, people prefer to listen to him.
A wise leader like that left us, and we treasure every moment we had with him. Thank the Lord for giving us the last Dim-sum with him which is so memorable.
Hacienda Heights, California
Like many kids who grew up at CCCTO, I remember Pastor Yik’s faithfulness and strength. I will always remember him teaching us songs that he himself had composed. I can honestly say he helped lay the foundations of my faith during his time at CCCTO. And one of the happiest days of my life was when he baptized me. He and his family have been a blessing to so many of us. We will miss him.
消息來得很突然，心中很難過。真的希望那不是真的。天父息了易牧師地上的勞苦，把他接回了天家。我們感恩節的聚餐仿如就在昨天，易牧師的感恩分享仍在耳邊，師母還笑著說要到灣區看望我們。
認識易牧師和易師母也有十多年了，師母是一個開朗熱情的人，很容易就和大家熟落；易牧師很平易近人，和靄可親。易牧師和易師母經常邀請教會的弟兄姐妹到他們在千橡樹的家作客，我們在他們家后的湖上劃船，累了就吃師母做的菜，煲的湯，走的時候還帶上他們后院種的菜和無花果。這些美好的時光將會永遠留在我們的記憶裡。
易牧師對於我們來說是一個屬靈的長者，良師， 和益友。我們過去有機會與易牧師一起侍奉主是神的恩典。易牧師講的道多是深入淺出，而又充滿著從神而來的智慧，非常容易明白。 Paul有機會在台上為易牧師作翻譯，從中得著的又比聽道的多。易牧師對Angela的影響也是至深的。在Angela經歷過的人生最快樂和最悲傷的時候，都有易牧師這位屬靈的長者的鼓勵和支持。當年是易牧師為她施洗的，易牧師和師母也為著她父母的得救多次遠道去探訪。當Angela的父母生病的時候，也多次遠道去探訪和為他們禱告。后來她的父母的喪禮也是易牧師主持的。在我們的婚禮上，易牧師扮演了家長的角色，陪伴Angela走過了紅地毯。
易牧師把他一生中最美好的時光獻給了主的宣教事工，退休后，又把他本應享受生活的時間獻給了這裡的弟兄姐妹和教會事工。他活出了主的忠卜的樣式。感謝主！易牧師對主的愛和對弟兄姐妹的愛將繼續成為我們的榜樣。保羅在提摩太后書四章七-八節所說的：「那美好的仗我已經打過了，當跑的路我已經跑盡了，所信的道我已經守住了，從此以後有公義的冠冕為我存留。」正是易牧師一生的寫照。
When I heard this sudden news of Pastor’s passing, I felt very sad. Memories of past events flushed to my mind and my eyes felt moist. I’m grateful to Pastor Yik and Mrs. Yik’s love, care, encouragement and words of widsom. Pastor’s life exemplifies the virtues of a devout Christian and the Godly’s impact he made to the people around him.
那晚東川接到Steve回天家的消息後，進房來告訴我，頓時我倆都驚訝得說不出話來，太突然了……。
後來得知他走得雖突然卻沒受到痛苦的煎敖，不禁地為他感恩。能如此輕鬆地投入天父的懷抱，豈不是令人羨慕的特別恩寵！
這幾天孩子們回來，我們一起回億我們兩家三十多年來許多團聚的時刻，中台神學院的日子使我們相知相惜，奠定了深厚的情誼。我們在菲律賓牧會時，Steve特地來訪，還教我如何燒好吃的蕃茄蝦，至今仍是我的拿手菜。1982年我們告別南加州北嶺宣道會時，您們來接手，記得當時Steve還幫我們把家當全部紮紮實實地裝上車，把後座變成兩個孩子的床，讓他們舒舒服服地跟我們幾天後抵達服事的下一站。之後，盡管我們難得見面，但每次相聚，總有說不完的話，促膝長談的快樂，實在珍貴！
別了，Steven！我們的世交好友！期盼將來再相會！
親愛的易師母:
聽到易牧師已安息主懷的消息時, 真不敢置信,這幾天常想到他生前留在我們心中的種種, 包括在中台期間的共事與他回美後偶爾的小聚, 印象深刻. 易牧師與師母總是慷慨地接待行政同工們到家中話家常並共進午餐, 對易牧師的私房菜─豆乳空心菜、涼拌柚子內皮等印象深刻. 易牧師的「有教無類」教育理念, 啟發幫助了很多學生. 兩個孩子學齡期的鋼琴課就是在師母的指導下與牧師的包容中學習的。
記得二、三年前, 女兒正面臨研究所進修的選擇難題時, 她參加退修會, 易牧師正好受邀擔任那退修會的講員, 女兒一見到他們時就有著在他鄉遇故知的興奮感,會後易牧師夫婦把她帶回家中小住幾天, 當時正是她尋求神引領的關鍵期. 與易牧師夫婦分享交通, 聽聽他們的意見, 經過禱告得到神的印證後, 她就清楚下一步該如何走了.
神果然為她開了通達的道路, 易牧師夫婦扮演了臨門一腳的角色.
Robert很懷念後院與易牧師的湖釣, 我則懷念後院採摘易牧師苦心種植的新鮮蔬果與前院大又甜的無花果. 這些點滴都只能成為回憶.
求我們的神親自撫慰師母的憂傷, 願祂的話成為師母的安慰與力量. 將來我們都要在天家與易牧師相聚.
陳文昭、蔡榮姬
主內宋姊妹:平安
我是磐石教會徐黃碧蘭師母,是易牧師在中台神學院教書時的學生,深受易牧師在屬靈上的教誨,受教於他如沐春風獲益良多深得激勵,在美牧會期間在傳道上更是得助於他與師母的扶助,特別在過去這兩年,我們教會邀請他每月一次主日證道,最近一次的證道是12/28/09,當天易師母獻師易牧師彈琴伴奏,留下了美好的見證與回憶,原本安排易牧師於1/11/09年再來證道,如今留下了是一篇未講的道,然而易牧師必如同列祖一樣,因著信仍舊說話.
我有感動將易牧師在我們教會證道的幾篇講道系列錄製在一片DVD上,作為對易牧師的懷念,並贈送給親朋好友一家一份.
由於我們教會有一位年長弟兄的安息禮拜正好也在1/17/09日下午,所以未能趕上週六眾教會為易牧師舉辦的追思禮拜,為了不致於感到虧欠與遺憾,想出兩全其美的方式,就是由磐石教會再為易牧師辦一次追思禮拜,以表達對易牧師的懷念及對家屬的關懷,已取得易師母的同意.在此也歡迎易牧師的親朋好友參加(若您未能趕上週六的追思禮拜)
時間:1/18/09(主日)2:00PM
地點:天普市磐石基督教會 Rock Mountain Baptist Church
地址:6019 Baldwin Ave. Temple City, CA 91780
聯絡電話: (626)292-7167 (626)226-7646
煩請宋姊妹將此消息放在易牧師的網站上,
Thank You
主內:
徐黃碧蘭師母 Rebekah Hsu
01/13/09
Good bye from an OLD friend of 58 years
Good bye my friend, teacher, mentor and brother. It is beyond the realm of my imagination of what I am about to do; to say good bye to you because you are always so healthy, happy, contend with God’s love, faithful and optimistic. To me you had not changed one bit since the day I met you, that is, over half a century ago. Remember the little church in Macau, the “Triangle House”. It must be around 1952 or 53, I was just about 13. We – my sister and I, brought to you an album of Beethoven’s 9 symphonies and a gramophone. You started listening immediately and taught me how to appreciate them with great patience; first the ‘Pastoral’ and then the ‘Fate’ etc. I fell in love with classical music ever since. In the years to come you had taught me other things, not just music, but full spectrum of life experiences. You were amazing. You were a music box. I didn’t know until years later that at that time you had not taken any musical lessons, yet you arranged hymn books, conducted choirs, wrote oratorios, gave voice lessons. You had trained a young girl who later became one of the most successful sopranos in Macau. In Hong Kong you had produced who knows how many pianists who passed the tests and obtained certificates of Grade 8 and higher, from the Royal School of Music of London.
Yet the biggest lesson I learned from you is your faith and obedience. With a broken heart after I heard the bad news about Leo, I asked you if God knows the sorrow and pain of human beings, like in Job’s case, can Son B replaces Son A? Instead of crying with me, you comforted me, telling me that God’s way is higher than men’s. “If you start asking ‘why me’, your faith, confidence, and belief in Him will go downward in no time – a very dangerous thing. ‘Don’t be afraid, just believe’ like Jesus said.”
I am getting old myself, who knows when we will meet again. I just pray that God will give me a big heart just like yours, to serve Him like you did, to be a good husband and good father, to love and be loved like you, so that when the day comes, you will tell me ‘Ken, you are worthy of my friendship”!
Dear Mrs. Yik,
I am sorry to hear Pastor Yik’s passing. You & Pastor Yik had toucheed my life when I came to Moorpark College in 1990. My best friends, Dominica & Esther, had encouraged me to attend Pastor Yik’s preaching at The Chinese Christian Church of Thousand Oaks. I fondly remember coming to The Chinese Fellowship in your lovely home. Pastor Yik’s wisdom, generosity & kindness had warmed my heart. May God bless you & your family.
Grace.
Dear Mrs. Yik, Leo and Lydia,
We are deeply sadden to learn of Pastor Yik’s passing. He was our Pastor at CCCTO and baptized us in 1986 and 1989. He was also our friend…like so many others getting to know him. Pastor Yik was such a humble and gentle person, I never saw him raise his voice and he alway smiles at you even in distress situations. Even the misfortune event occurred to Leo, both you and Paster Yik showed no sign of despair and discontent you put your trust in our Lord. I was so impressed with your parental love and devotion to Christian faith. At one occasion we had a dinner at a Chinese restaurant he invited me to go fishing, but I never managed to find the time. Now I am sorry what I had missed the fun we could have and his worldly wisdom I could learn. So Mrs. Yik and Lydia don’t be sad your father is in God’s hand now.
Tyrone and Lonnie
易師母
經由Vivian Lin得知消息. Emily重容是在大一時由易牧師在聖教會中部大專團契施洗的.
為您禱告. 想起詩歌[“煉我愈精”:…如果祢收去的東西, 祢以自己來代替].祂必親自充滿您, 保護您, 賜力量給您. 陳文淇&郭重容
一個學生對易牧師的懷念:
一個效法基督的人
若是你上過特別為易牧師設立的部落格, 看見各方親戚, 朋友, 學生, 會友們的留言, 像瞎子摸象一樣, 你看見這位牧長, 恩師是一位謙和, 溫柔, 慷慨, 幽默, 有音樂才華, 會講道, 會燒菜, 會接待人…….等等, list 是很長的. 他用他的生命影響了許許多多的生命, 包括我的在內.
我記得易牧師初來中台神學院時, 在最初的一兩個星期之內, 就風靡了很多的學生, 當然我也是其中的一位. 坐在他的課室裡, 如沐春風, 句句珠磯, 沒有廢話, 充滿了智慧, 他的課, 我深深地被吸引著.
我記得有一次早拜, 易牧師幫一位宣教師翻譯, 當他為一個字斟酌著怎麼翻的時候, 坐在下面的人, 不斷提供他字意, 易牧師笑笑的說:”我是在想用那個字比較好”. 他就是這樣的一個人, 快快的聽, 慢慢的說, 慢慢的動怒, 就像我們的神, 對我們的禱告是快快的聽, 慢慢的一步一步帶領我們, 成全我們; 對我們的得罪與偏行己路, 卻不輕易發怒.
易牧師從不急於表現自己, 當大家急於發表意見的時候, 他總是笑一笑, 眼睛向上轉一轉, 靜靜地聽著大家說話. 他從不提說自己如何幫助人, 特別是青年人, 自己的學位是如何在很短的時間內就修完的, 作了多少的曲子, 從高中起就組織詩班, 指揮詩班………他效法主說的:”我心裡柔和謙卑, 你們當負我的軛, 學我的樣式.”
Leo 的事發生時, 我去找易牧師和師母, 當他與師母講述手術經過時, 沒有責備, 沒有怨言, 沒有怒氣, 只有信心, 順服, 愛和盼望. 10多年來如一日, 安靜的付出他們的愛, 當自己辛苦過日子時, 卻不吝惜伸出幫助的手, 幫助有需要的人.
他每天與主同行, 如今走得太遠了, 他走到主的身邊, 就不回來了. 易師母與 Lydia, 你們有幸擁有這樣的丈夫與父親, 我相信, 靠著神的恩典與弟兄姊妹的愛, 你們也會堅強的與主同行.
誠如保羅所說:” 你們要效法我, 就像我效法基督一樣”, 弟兄姊妹們, 讓我們也效法這位效法基督的恩師吧.
I heard of Dr. Yik 40 years ago through our mutual friend Zhang Wen. Later on, I got hold of some of his compositions, and felt in love with his choral work “Psalm 100”. The music is a happy marriage of Grandioso and Lyricism. Is it possible? Yes, he did it – to God be the glory. The music is like him, such a gentle, humble, and kind soul, but with a touch of grandioso or toughness inside. A few years later, I read his book on Church Music; and today, that book still remains my favorite reference book on Church Music.
It was not until a few years ago that I met Dr. Yik in person – a dream came true. I regretted deeply that I did not have the chance to meet him earlier so that I can learn more from such a talented and spiritual being, and yet so personal. To be on faculty together with Dr. Yik at Truth Theological Seminary is my greatest honor, and I look forward to the day we can make music together again.
I met Pastor Yik in 1989 at his house in Agoura. I, single at the time and even though had received Christ as my Savior, had been living a free but pointless empty life. My Lord eventually led me to join Pastor Yik’s monthly Cantonese fellowship at his house, where I later met a beautiful young lady whom I fell in love with and became my wife in 1990. God has performed His works through Pastor Yik and these are evident from this and many postings on this site. It was Pastor Yik’s genuine kindness, concern and love for the fellowmen that helped me decide to be baptized and be acknowledged as a Christian. I am forever in his debt. Pastor Yik’s passing is a loss in our Christian community but I also find joy in it, because I know he has completed his mission well on this earth and has gone home to his Father. I’ll miss him, his easy going preaching style and the time we shared talking about food, life in general and his encounters in places he had been.
Hei-wai To
Dear Pauline, Leo and Lydia,
I really missed Rev. Yik. I missed fishing with him, talking about things regarding the 50’s, singing songs that he wrote. Those days in True Light Presbyterian Church were quite a memory.
In the trip to St. Luis, MO, driving up to Edmonton, west to Vancouver, and down south to L.A., What a lovely trip!
Having dinners at the Yiks with the fish that we fished from the Santa Monica pier, Ventura pier and so on. We were blocked by some guards on the overpass to the Ventura pier because a train would pass by and the young George Bush was in the train heading to his presidential campaign destination. Those days were fun!
Sometimes I would drive all the way to Agoura from San Dimas to spend a night at the Yik’s Palace. Each time when I visited, I was able to take some home grown vegetables from the Yik’s garden, of course the big figs.
Having meals at the restaurant, I never did get to pay the bill. Our facial expression when hearing some strange music over the loud speaker at the Chinese supermarket, I missed our eye contact in reacting to those wiered Cantonese translated songs, then we ended up giggling.
He’s now with my dad in glory! Heaven is just a beautiful place. Praise the Lord for this eternal hope, the blessed assurance. We shall see him soon.
Take care of yourself. You will be in my prayer.
Esther Wong Tai
Dear Dr.Yik:
My dearest teacher and friend,I can’t imagine that you were away from us!
I missed you so much! Teacher,you promised me that you will come back here again,stay in my studio!! we just planned to go to England together ,why now I can’t see you any more???? You promised me that you will baptize for me,but you didn’t do it,why you just away forever? I will not allowed to meet you any more? That’s the punishment from God??
I will always miss you<my dear teacher!
Love from Meifen,Taichung
Dr. Yik, a true scholar and gentleman, has now rested from his works, unclothed his earthly tent and be with our Lord Jesus eternally. I believe he has set a faithful example in the household of God. Though I was unable to attend his memorial service, I had been blessed to learn church music in his classroom.
His passing reminds me the exhortation by the author of Hebrew starting from chapter 12, “Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance, and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us…”
May our Lord’s Peace and Joy be with Rev. Yik’s family all the time.
Joseph K. Chang