Q&A: Alex Ma is the youth pastor/director at Cariboo Hill Temple in Burnaby, B.C.

How did you first encounter The Salvation Army?

As a kid, I was in the daycare at New Westminster Citadel, B.C. Brent White was the youth pastor at the time, and he would teach me the Word through Bible studies at the daycare on Thursdays. After I grew out of daycare, he asked me to help lead “kids corner,” an after-daycare program. He would have me teach a little bit of the Bible and play dodgeball with the kids. He also had me work on a “Bible investigators” video series with him where we made skit videos about Scripture together. It was awesome because I got to have my friends join in the fun.

How did your faith evolve as you grew up?

As a teenager, I was terrified of taking on the label of being a Christian and experiencing persecution. I saw the Bible more as a book of wisdom, and I was pretty distant from God. I don’t think I fully understood what life in Jesus looked like.

But in my Grade 12 year, I realized that having a personal relationship with God was important. During that time, it was helpful to meet many people who were passionate about God at The Salvation Army’s Camp Sunrise in Gibsons, B.C., where I was a camper, a leader in training and a member of staff. Those were pivotal years of fellowship with other Christians and people who wanted to know more about life with Jesus.

Can you share a key moment in your walk with God?

About eight or nine years ago, I was having a very rough few weeks. After a church service at Cariboo Hill Temple, I decided to walk home to New Westminster from Burnaby. Over the course of that long walk, everything kind of welled up in my mind and my heart. And that was when I saw this picture in my mind of the Father’s arms wide open and hugging me. It was a meaningful moment for me as someone who didn’t grow up with a father or mother.

I was raised by my grandmother, and she taught me to be generous even when we had little. When I first received an access key to the Cariboo Hill Temple building, I was on top of the world—having access to a space that was so much bigger than my home and had lots of great stuff. But I quickly realized that material things mean nothing if they are not shared. So, I started running basketball drop-ins and bringing people to the church for card games and gatherings. It filled my heart to see people enjoy these things, but what was more important was hoping that my friends would come to Christ and sharing the goodness of God and deep fellowship with them.

How has God sustained you when life didn’t go as planned?

Earlier this year, I had a surgery that I was really nervous about. I was afraid of negative outcomes and the potential that, rather than solving the problem, things might get worse. In the moments when I was on edge and emotionally overwhelmed, I found refuge in John 16:7: “But very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.” I knew that God was with me and that I wasn’t suffering alone.

Once the surgery was over, I expected that things would be back to normal again, but I was shocked by how much pain I was experiencing and how it disrupted my day to day. Even still, God kept me from growing bitter and cynical. He gave me hope when I didn’t understand it all. I’ve been really blessed to have my wife with me every step of the way, and I was comforted by a close friend, a fellow believer, who had experienced similar problems. God may not give me what I want but he will give me what I need, and I grow to know him that way.

What makes your ministry with The Salvation Army meaningful for you?

It’s been such a gift to walk through life with the teens and share the gospel with them. Seeing them develop a relationship with Jesus is what keeps bringing me back. I love seeing the expression of faith in each of their lives and how Jesus walks with whoever receives him as Lord and Saviour.

Photo: Phil Oh

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