I thank God for Avondale

How a Buddhist boy from China made his way to Avondale and a life of ministry

The story of John Chan’s journey to Avondale begins at home in China. Unrest in the country sees the Chans and their seven children relocate to Hong Kong. Life is comfortable. John, the second eldest sibling, and brother Bob soon have a difficult decision to make: whether to complete their high schooling in the United States or Australia. They rely on their English tutor’s recommendation. Australia it is but John has scant knowledge of the country or its location, suspecting it to be in Europe. The boys travel to Sydney by ocean liner in 1952. While at sea, they befriend the ABC boys: Adrian, Bertram and Christopher Chan (no relation) who are traveling to a school near Newcastle.

Tentatively disembarking, and with some understanding of Christianity from his Catholic school in China, John nervously prays his first prayer. “Dear God, please help me be a good boy and guide my footsteps in this new country.”

The Chans attend a boarding school that dashes any high expectations. Their only personal space: a bed and a chair in a dormitory for 20-plus students. They can shower only twice a week. And John begrudgingly eats what he considers third-class meals—sausages and potatoes again. He misses fruit, eggs and red and white meat. Twiddling thumbs during a 45-minute mass in undecipherable Latin helps the morning pass. Praying the rosary tests endurance in the evening. “I remember thinking, This is enough to turn anyone off religion.”

Growing up within a culture of Buddhism, John feels this is no way to connect with the divine, so he channels his frustration. Determined to find reliable first-hand information about religion, he buys a pocket-sized Bible and spends the next nine months reading it cover to cover. As he digs deeper, his respect for a lifestyle dedicated to Christ grows. “When I read about the Sabbath, I started observing it, avoiding all work, play and study. I believe the Holy Spirit was guiding me.”

During second term, John is pleasantly surprised to find the ABC boys enrolling at the school. Adrian shares with John his experience at a place called Avondale and his longing to return. This is enough to convince John, who enrols himself without consulting with his parents. John loves everything about the place: the meals, his room, his roommate, paid work in the gardens, and “out of this world” worships. The kindness of the staff members and students affirms his rash decision.

A week of prayer and worship with Pr Roy Anderson, then one of the leaders of the worldwide Seventh-day Adventist Church, inspires John to follow Jesus. Months later, after further studies, he gets baptised in the circular font between the Audo and College Hall. Soon after, John begins his first year as a student of theology at the Australasian Ministry College.

John has ministered to and served others in Hong Kong, Taiwan, Thailand, Macau, the United States, New Zealand, Australia, and Pitcairn Island over the past 59 years. Now 85 years of age and still in good health, he rides his bicycle daily and continues sharing (via Zoom) his love of God. “I thank God for Avondale.”