March 20, 2004, was not an ordinary Sabbath for the San Gabriel Valley Chinese Adventist group. This day marked the grand opening of the first new Chinese congregation in the Los Angeles area since the establishment of the church in Alhambra 45 years ago. Some 200 members and friends celebrated as the group officially became a “company.”

The two-and-a-half hour program included a history of the new company, dating back to its first service as a Chinese congregation with 12 members within the Temple City Adventist Church in January 1997. From its inception, the group placed special emphasis on Bible studies, both at home and at the academy residence halls.

Temple City Pastor Benjamin Del Pozo and his predecessor, Pastor James Park, were both active in these studies. Larry L. Caviness, SCC president, presented the sermon while Pastors James G. Lee, Jr., vice president, and Velino A. Salazar, secretary, conducted organizational portions of the service. Dinner and a music program followed the service.

According to Li Jean Zheng, a charter member who presented the company’s history in Mandarin Chinese, “The group was registered as the Chinese Evangelical Center in 1996 and supported the translating and printing of several books which helped spread the Gospel in China. It was formed to fill the religious needs of the numerous local Chinese, new immigrants and visiting Chinese scholars in the Tri-Valley area. Currently, between 750,000 and one million Chinese live in the Los Angeles area.“

In seven years, the new Chinese company has grown to 79 members, 33 of whom are newly baptized. The majority of the new members are either students or new immigrants from mainland China and are active in the new company. The church meets for bilingual worship services in Mandarin and English at the Village Presbyterian Church, 733 South Tenth Ave., in Arcadia. For four out of the past seven years, Nathaniel Yen has served as pastor. With Yen’s retirement in June 2004, head elder Abel Leung will serve as the company’s lay leader until a new pastor is found.

Nancy Boksberger, a board member and women’s ministry coordinator, said, “Our company provides a forum for discussion and learning for its visitors and members.”

In addition to being a place of worship, the congregation reaches out to others in the Chinese community regarding Christ. The congregation has helped students with tuition and sent money to China to aid victims of a terrible flood in 2003.