History 教會簡史

       1978年1月1日，在神的引領下，十六位弟兄姊妹於家中舉行首次聚會，並正式成立教會，命名為「Chinese Community Church of South Bay」。1986年，教會正式定名為「南灣華人基督教會」。

       隨著人數增加，聚會於1978年2月轉至托倫斯第一浸信會舉行，當時出席人數約三十人。教會每週舉行查經、禱告會及主日崇拜，並於每月最後一個主日分享佈道信息。至此期間，聚會人數穩定成長至約一百三十人。1989年10月，教會獲准建堂，並於1991年2月舉行獻堂典禮。

       1983年夏，汪活泉牧師成為本會首任牧者。1984年底，沈保羅牧師開始參與服事，並於1985年9月出任主任牧師。其後，陳濟民牧師、劉少平牧師、張世衡牧師、張德泉牧師、凌頌恩牧師及卯思興牧師相繼接任，忠心牧養會眾。自2023年7月起，吳林勇傳道加入中文堂服事團隊。

       1996年，教會增設英文崇拜，並於節慶期間舉行中英文聯合崇拜。歷任英文堂牧者包括馮傳道、麥洪參（Gregory Mark）傳道、Rick Hata牧師、金大衛（David Kim）傳道及金提摩太牧師。自2015年2月起，Jay Cordova牧師加入教會，擔任英文牧師，並負責青少年事工。

       1990年11月，田士瑜姊妹開始擔任教會秘書，忠心服事至今。

       自1984年起，教會透過主日信息及每年一度的宣教月，邀請宣教士分享傳福音的異象與使命，激勵會眾關心宣教、參與奉獻與代禱，並積極投入年度短期宣教行動。多年來，宣教足跡遍及墨西哥、亞利桑那州印地安保留區、非洲、以色列、中國大陸、泰國及緬甸等地。

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On January 1, 1978, led by God's guidance, sixteen brothers and sisters gathered in a home for the very first worship meeting, officially establishing the church under the name Chinese Community Church of South Bay. In 1986, the church formally adopted its Chinese name: South Bay Chinese Christian Church.

As the congregation grew, worship services moved in February 1978 to Torrance First Baptist Church, with attendance reaching around 30 people. Weekly gatherings included Bible study, prayer meetings, and Sunday worship, along with a gospel-sharing service on the last Sunday of each month. By then, the church had grown to about 130 members. In October 1989, the church received approval to build its own facility, and a dedication service was held in February 1991.

In the summer of 1983, Pastor Huoquan Wang became the church’s first full-time pastor. Later that year, Pastor Paul Shen joined the ministry and became the senior pastor in September 1985. Over the years, several pastors have faithfully shepherded the church, including Pastors Jimin Chen, Shaoping Liu, Shiheng Zhang, Dequan Zhang, Song-En Ling, and Sixing Mao. Since July 2023, Minister Lingyong Wu has joined the Chinese congregation in ministry.

In 1996, the church began offering English worship services and began holding joint bilingual services for special occasions. Past English ministry leaders have included Pastor Fung, Minister Gregory Mark, Pastor Rick Hata, Minister David Kim, and Pastor Timothy Kim. In February 2015, Pastor Jay Cordova joined the church as the English pastor and also oversees the youth ministry.

Since November 1990, Sister Eva Mah has faithfully served as the church secretary.

Since 1984, the church has highlighted the importance of missions through Sunday messages and an annual Missions Month. Missionaries have been invited to share their experiences and inspire the congregation to care, give, and pray for global outreach. The church has also actively participated in short-term mission trips, with past destinations including Mexico, Native American reservations in Arizona, Africa, Israel, Mainland China, Thailand, and Myanmar.