The Chinese Christian Church of Greater Washington DC held its first congregational meeting of 2025 on the afternoon of January 26. During the meeting, the pastors, elders, and deacons presented reports on the Chinese, English, and youth and children’s ministries, and the church approved the 2025 operating budget, mission budget, and salary adjustments for church staff. Below are the key highlights:

Chinese Ministry Report (Pastor Daniel Zhao)
2024 Review:

  • Sunday sermons were preached based on the church theme “From Believing to Living.”
  • There was a combined Chinese-English worship service on Christmas Eve.
  • Thanksgiving Sunday featured a combined worship service, baptisms, and membership transfers.
  • The Happy Group Ministry went well.
  • Elderly members and those in need were visited, occasionally with my wife
  • Daily morning devotions continued.
  • The church participated in the CMC mission conference in Baltimore.
  • A visit was made to a car accident survivor, leading him to faith in Christ.
  • The Sisters' Fellowship changed its meeting time from Tuesday mornings to Thursday evenings.

Changes in Fellowship Locations:
Beginning in January 2025, Mark Fellowship and Genesis Fellowship will meet at St. James Episcopal Church in Potomac. This change accommodates the growing number of new believers from the Happiness Group, as hosting such a large gathering in individual homes has become challenging. Additionally, there is a shortage of mature leaders to facilitate smaller groups. This move also aims to establish a foundation for the church’s future outreach in the local community. The arrangement will be trialed for eight months, with an evaluation at the congregational meeting in October.

Plans for 2025:

  • Preparation for a short-term mission trip to Honduras is underway.
  • The Happiness Group will relaunch in February, with plans for baptisms on Easter.
  • The speaker for the 2025 Summer Retreat is being invited.
  • An elder training class is scheduled for this year.

English Ministry Report (Pastor David Rim)
 Plans for 2025:

  • We will continue our series on "The Sermon on the Mount" throughout the coming year.
  • Sunday School will focus on teachings on Spiritual Disciplines for the coming year.
  • Two couples are currently receiving pre-marital counseling.
  • Nine men have signed up for an overnight prayer retreat from January 31 to February 1.
  • My wife and I will continue meeting with people as needs arise.

RECHARGE RALLY:

This two-night event will feature powerful messages and worship designed to reach the younger generation—both teens and young adults under 30. However, it is open to everyone who desires to be blessed and to support the next generation.

While CCCGW is hosting the event, we are working with several churches to expand outreach and encourage broader participation.

Our guest speaker, Steve Kim, is a former gang member who found new life in Christ. He founded Project Kinship, a ministry dedicated to helping gang members break free from their past through the transformative power of Christ. Steve will be joined by four individuals who have personally experienced this redemption, and they will share their powerful testimonies.

Youth Ministry Report (Pastor David Rim)
Winter Camp:
Held from February 28 to March 2, participants included Annie, Josie, Halle, Elon, and Tom, with Shawny and Halle’s mother, Michelle, leading and driving.

MFuge Summer Camp:
Scheduled for June 23-28, 2025, with registration now open. Youth are encouraged to participate.

Youth Pastor Recruitment Progress:
The hiring committee has reposted the position on ChurchStaffing.com and is awaiting resumes from potential candidates.

Elder Board Report

Main Plans for 2025

  • Annual Theme: "Rooted and Grounded in Love" (Ephesians 3:17).
  • The keynote speakers for the 2025 Summer Retreat have been confirmed. Rev. Lambert Lee (Chinese Strategy Alliance) will speak for the Chinese service, while Keith McLaughlin will be the speaker for the English service.
  • Annual Missions Conference: Keynote speaker is Betty Chou (Go and Love Foundation).

In 2025, the elders of the church have taken on diverse and significant responsibilities, overseeing the development and management of various ministry departments:

Elder Board Leadership and Oversight Responsibilities

  • Elder Board Chairperson: Elder Stanley Chan
  • Chinese Service Oversight: Pastor Daniel Zhao, Elder Stanley Chan
  • English Service Oversight: Pastor David Rim, Elder Kok-Eam Khor
  • Youth Ministry Oversight: Pastor David Rim
  • Missions Ministry Oversight: Elder Stanley Chan, Pastor Daniel Zhao
  • Education Ministry Oversight: Pastor Daniel Zhao, Pastor David Rim
  • Evangelism Ministry Oversight: Pastor Daniel Zhao, Pastor David Rim
  • Fellowships Ministry Oversight: Pastor Daniel Zhao, Pastor David Rim, Elder Stanley Chan, Elder Kok-Eam Khor
  • Worship Oversight: Pastor Daniel Zhao, Pastor David Rim
  • Church Administration Oversight: Elder Stanley Chan
  • Caring Ministry Oversight: Pastor Daniel Zhao, Pastor David Rim, Elder Stanley Chan, Elder Kok-Eam Khor
  • Special Program/Event Arrangement: Pastor Daniel Zhao, Pastor David Rim

Official Board Report
 Past Events Review:

  • Thanksgiving events included worship and breakfast, a Thanksgiving dinner with testimony sharing, and baptisms. Other events included Sight & Sound’s Bible Theater: Daniel and the Christmas Eve worship service.

Official Board Initiatives / Focus

  • Increase church member involvement in church ministries, including strengthening collaboration within CCCGW departments, enhancing evangelism efforts, and expanding missions engagement
  • Focus on the Youth Minister search
  • Focus on Children's Ministry
  • Improve church communications

Other Initiatives:

  • Upgrade sanctuary audio and video systems
  • Consider moving the summer retreat to Memorial Day Weekend to increase participation and allow for more flexibility in scheduling short-term mission trips

Upcoming Key Events

  • Recharge Rally: February 7-8
  • Chinese New Year Celebration Outreach: February 15
  • Spring Walk and Brunch: April 5
  • Good Friday Evening Worship: April 18, 7:30 PM
  • Easter Sunday Combined Worship and Baptism/Membership Transfer Ceremony: April 20
  • Church Picnic: June 7
  • Summer Retreat: July 11-13
  • Sight and Sound: Noah’s Ark: September 20
  • Apple Picking: October 4
  • Harvest Festival: October 31

May the Lord guide the church to continue growing in the new year, building one another up, serving in love, and bearing witness to His grace!

Friday Dinner Donation Box

To encourage greater participation and lighten the load on volunteers, the church has set up a donation box for Friday dinners. An additional offering of $10 to $20 per week will help ease the burden of meal preparation, enabling our team to provide more abundant meals within the same budget and bless more people. We sincerely invite everyone to give freely out of love and join us in supporting this ministry!

Motion Passed: 2025 Operating and Mission Budgets
After prayer and discussion, the church officially approved the 2025 operating and mission budgets. This approval represents not only a financial plan but also a commitment to God's kingdom work. May we faithfully steward the resources He has entrusted to us, supporting the growth of church ministries and actively engaging in the mission to spread the gospel. May God guide the church as we continue to move forward in His will, becoming a blessing to many!

Motion Passed: 2025 Salary Adjustments for Church Staff and Contractors
After prayer and careful consideration, the church approved the salary adjustment plan for staff and contractors in 2025, ensuring stability and growth in the church's human resources. May God provide strength and provision to enable the staff to serve faithfully and glorify His name!