Humble Beginnings
The Eugene-Springfield Chinese Christian Church began as a Chinese bible study fellowship of mostly students from the University of Oregon.
In 1980, the Grace Community Fellowship (GCF) extended their support toward us. As their mission project, we became known as the Evangelical Chinese Fellowship, 華人活道團契 – a church committed to providing service and support for Chinese students, Chinese immigrant families, and Indochina refugees. Our first Sunday worship service was held on September 28, 1980, at the Lane County Convention Center[1]. Pastor Enoch Lau (劉國安牧師) from the Portland Mission Alliance Church honored us by conducting our first worship service. During the first year of our founding, seven new believers were brought to Christ.
Pastor Jacob Lintang (林雅各牧師) was called to be our first pastor, and was installed during a combined service with GCF on October 10, 1982. In those early years, our Sunday worship congregation numbered in the 30s.
On November 06, 1982, our Chinese name was changed to 雨津市華人基督教活道堂.
Growth
Because Lane County was planning to demolish the Convention Center by the fall of 1988, GCF built a new church near the Valley River Center. After much prayer we decided to take a step of faith and grow as an independent church. From December 4, 1988 onward, instead of joining GCF at their new location, we began holding Sunday services from the First Christian Church’s[2] chapel in downtown Eugene. Brother Sheng-Sheang Bor from Seattle graciously shepherded our church for nearly the next decade.
In 1989, our name was changed to Eugene Chinese Church, 雨津華人教會. In 1990, we moved again, and held Sunday services from the Southern Baptist Church[3].
Since 1987, our Friday night fellowship had already been meeting at the Emerald Baptist Church[4], as it was within walking distance to the University of Oregon. In 2002, at the invitation of Emerald Baptist Church, we moved yet again. For almost two decades, we would use their Education Building for Sunday services, Friday fellowship, and various activities.
In 2006, we began to partner with missionaries abroad.
In 2009, our name was changed to Eugene Chinese Christian Church, 雨津基督教華人教會.
Brother Ricky Poon was ordained on February 7, 2010 and appointed as the Senior Pastor. Under his vision, Pastor Poon initiated several ministries to meet the diverse needs of the congregation, including the intercultural marriage and community outreach ministries. In 2011, Sister Sarah Chen joined us as the college pastor. She led the college ministry until stepping down from the position in 2018. In 2016, Pastor Poon retired to focus on his Chinese ministry at INSTE Global Bible College. In the absence of a senior pastor, our church is led by a team of church leaders.
[1] At 1330 Madison St., Eugene
[2] At 1166 Oak St., Eugene
[3] At East 25th Ave. and Harris St., Eugene
[4] At 631 East 19th Ave., Eugene
New Roots
On December 30, 2019, through God’s grace and provision, we purchased a site[5] in Springfield from The Salvation Army to be our first owned place of worship. Our name was changed to Eugene-Springfield Chinese Christian Church, 春雨華人基督教會. In adherence to COVID-19 lockdown restrictions, our first Sunday service on the new premises was live-streamed on July 5, 2020. On August 21 of the same year, we also held a virtual cerebration of the church’s 40th anniversary, which was officiated by Pastor Ricky Poon.
As we enter into a new stage of our church’s journey, we recognize our past pastors for their guidance and commitment:
Year Pastor
1982-1986 Jacob Lintang
1988-1996 Sheng-Sheang Bor
1997-1999 Bei-Lim Ong
2001-2003 Samuel Chang
2004-2005 Tian Lun Wang
2006-2016 Ricky Poon
2011-2018 Sarah Chen (College Pastor)
2015-2018 Donald Grafton (English Pastor)
We thank God and praise Him for His protection and care over these past few decades, and for the love of many ministers, brothers, and sisters from other churches. Amen.
[5] At 1275 Mill St., Springfield