Our church was founded on August 31, 1958, the same day I arrived in the United States on a chartered student flight from Hong Kong via Guam, Wake Island, and Honolulu. Two weeks later, on September 14, June immigrated to the United States with her family on the same route. It seems that although we didn't "come home" to Washington, D.C. until 1965 due to studying and working elsewhere, it seems as if God had already prepared this lovely spiritual home for us. Therefore, we cherish this grace and dare not to forget counting our blessings every day during the past sixty years.

Over the years, in addition to actively participating in community service and evangelistic ministries such as Chinese schools (June taught there for 34 years) and refugee resettlement, we have also frequently connected with evangelistic, student, and family ministries outside the church, such as Ambassadors for Christ (of which I served two terms as board chair), Chinese Family for Christ, Family Keepers, China Outreach Ministries, Stephen Tong Evangelistic Ministries International, and Reformed Seminary, among others. We learn while also participating in sharing. We believe that interacting with brothers and sisters from all over the world through activities organized by these organizations and broadening our horizons is an indispensable part of Christian life.

We also use occasions such as lecture tours, professional trips, family visits, and vacations to visit churches, fellowships, and Christians both domestically and internationally to deepen our understanding and encourage one another. Even now, we occasionally encounter friends we met on campuses years ago while sharing the gospel; we are delighted to see that many have grown into evangelists for the Lord.

A few years ago, with the COVID-19 pandemic, God opened a new door for us: virtual gatherings. Even now that the pandemic is largely over, we continue to meet online weekly with local and international brothers and sisters, as well as seekers, to exchange ideas and minister to their needs. This also allows those of us in advance age to continue sharing the gospel over long distances without having to travel.

Some may wonder how my wife and I have remained in the same church for sixty years and apparently without even thinking of changing affiliation. The principle is actually quite simple and it applies to work and marriage as well.  That is, occasional disagreements cannot be resolved simply by walking away. As we often hear the sage advice that if you find a church you think is perfect, don't go there; you would make it imperfect.

We are especially grateful to our pastors, elders, co-workers, and fellow believers for their prayers, tolerance, care, and encouragement over the years. May the Lord continue to bless all of us. Our church has already produced many talented individuals who have made significant contributions to churches and evangelism everywhere. If we continue to grow, the fruits of our labor for heaven on Earth will be even more remarkable and beyond our imagination. Amen.