Agape Chinese Alliance Church

Agape Chinese Alliance Church is part of the Christian and Missionary Alliance (C&MA) denomination. We began in 1986 with a growing population of Chinese immigrants and college students in San Diego. The church plant started with founding pastor Rev. and Mrs. Gerald Chao and the support of its English-speaking counterpart, Balboa Alliance Church. With Cantonese Sunday worship, Bible study, and outreach effort, Agape CAC grew in its number. Many received Christ and people were discipled and baptized. In 1997, Rev. and Mrs. Patrick Chow and family re-developed Agape CAC to be a “purpose-driven church” that “lives and fulfills the Great Commandments” (Matthew 22:37-40; 28:19-20).

Agape Chinese Alliance Church was formally incorporated in July 1998. The church held Cantonese service with Mandarin translation and service, which later absolved after refocusing the needs and vision of the church. In 2000, after much prayer for relocation, the church moved to a strategic place close to Asian businesses and restaurants. Again, there was much work in evangelism outreach such as parent education, community health fairs, Chinese classes for children and adult ESL (English) classes. In addition, there were Agape CAC small cell groups and Bible study and worship… resulting in adult, youth, and children ministries that grew. The year 2005 brought in the first American-born English pastor to oversee English ministry, Pastor James Chuang.

In 2006, there was a transition time for the church, with Rev. and Mrs. Jack To and family arriving early 2007 to continue Agape’s existing ministry and envisioning growth both spiritually and physically. Later, the church partnered with Enoch Center, a community outreach center for Chinese people living in San Diego. In April 2011, Agape moved into a church facility with more rooms, parking lot and playground to accommodate its growth and needs.

In 2016, Agape CAC acquired present premise and ready to celebrate its 30th anniversary. Unfortunately Rev. Jack To passed away due to cancer at the same year. The church has faced a period of uncertainty and instability. Nevertheless, Agape church leaders and members have been faithful in serving Him. More importantly, praise the Lord for His faithfulness to His people!

In 2020 the Lord led Rev. and Mrs. Jonathan Lam to Agape CAC as Lead Pastor and later Pastor Joshua Cheng on board in 2021 to serve in the English congregations. Agape CAC continues to trust God as He is the Lord of the church. We will continue to strive for the vision and mission God has given us until the day we meet Him.

愛加勉華人宣道會（以下簡稱為「愛加勉教會」）是基督教宣道會（C&MA）的成員。我們於1986年成立，當時聖地亞哥的華人移民和大學生人數不斷增加。趙恩富牧師及師母得到英語宣道會Balboa Alliance Church 的支持，開始主日粵語崇拜、聖經學習和外展活動，教會人數不斷增加，許多人接受了基督，並接受門徒訓練和浸禮。1997年，周鎮華牧師及師母接任，將愛加勉教會發展為一個「目標導向的教會」，以達至「活出並履行大使命」（馬太福音22:37-40；28:19-20）。

愛加勉教會於1998年7月正式立案註冊。教會崇拜以粵語為主，並輔以普通話翻譯，此亦成為教會服事群體的焦點。2000年，經歷多次搬遷後，教會遷至靠近華人聚居的戰略要地。期間福音外展有很多方面的工作，例如家長教育、社區健康、兒童中文班和成人英語班；此外，還有教會小組和聖經學習和敬拜等，這促使成人、青少年和兒童事工不斷發展。2005年，愛加勉教會首次聘任一位出生於美國的華裔莊牧師負責英語事工。

2007年初，杜牧師一家抵達接捧，繼續愛加勉教會的事工，並在屬靈生命及人數發展上皆有成長。當時教會與以諾中心（聖地亞哥的基督徒辦理之華人社區外展中心）合作，接觸華人群體；到2011年4 月，教會需要再次搬遷，在Linda Vista租用本地一教堂設施，能擁有更多聚會及活動空間、寛闊的停車場和兒童遊樂場設施，以適應教會的成長和需求。

2016年購置現址並慶祝立會卅週年，正要大力發展之際，但也同時經歷考驗，杜牧師於3月底因癌症去世後，教會面臨一段不確定和不穩定的時期。然而，上帝賜恩眾平信徒領袖、能有足夠的力量繼續前進，他們忠心地服事守望，更重要的是，教會的主對祂子民顯出祂的信實與看顧！

經過幾年的轉變與不穩，在2020 年主帶領林兆源牧師和師母出任愛加勉教會之主任牧師之職，並主力帶領中文事工發展；並於2021年聘任程慶華傳道加入團隊，專責英文堂之服事。愛加勉教會繼續相信並倚靠上帝，因為祂是教會的主。我們將繼續為神賦予我們的異象和使命而奮鬥，直到我們與祂相遇的那一天。