Vision and History

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Evangelical Formosan Church of Washington, DC was established by a group of believers with vision and zeal for evangelism. On January 2, 1987, the then Gospel Fellowship of Washington, DC, met for their first Sunday worship service. In February of 1987, the group was accepted by the Geal for evangelism. On January 2, 1987, the then Gospel Fellowship of Washington, DC, mthen Gospel Fellowship Fellowship of Washington, DC, met for their first Sunday worship sfor their first Sunday worship service. In February of 1987, the group was accepted by the General Assembly of EFC, becoming the 13th EFC church and the first EFC church in the East Coast. On October 18, 1987, EFC-DC was officially established in a Inaugural Thanksgiving Servihurch and the first EFC church in the East Coast. On October 18, 1987, EFC-DC was officially established in a Inaugural Thanksgiving Service. Two years later, on January 28, 1990, EFC-DC moved from the “Pioneer" period to the “Organization" period. In February of 1991, the church entered the “Independent" period.

Initially, founding members Dr. and Mrs. Chen opened their home and together with Mr. & Mrs. Tsai, Mr. Lee, Mr. Lai, and Mr. Shih served in the church. They were later joined by Mrs. Kuo, Mr. & Mrs. Pan, Dr. and Mrs. Joe Chou. Gradually, blessed by God’s grace, the number of people grew. To accommodate the growth, in August of 1987, they moved into Bradley Hills Elementary School. One year later, the church moved to Cabin John Middle School, where it still meets. In the end of July, 1992, as the church prepared to celebrate its fifth anniversary, it purchased a 4.125 acre property in the city of Gaithersburg. In the beginning of 1998, after years of planning, designing and applying for the proper permits, the church paid off in full the mortgage on the property. As its members continue to faithfully give to the building fund, the church plans to break ground for its new building in 2000. The church hopes to be able to dedicate the new building on Easter, 2001.

In the growth process of the church, the General Assembly of EFC Elementary School. One year later, the church moved to Cabin John Middle School, where it still meets. In the end of July, 1992, as the church prepared to celebrate its fifth anniversary, it purchased a 4.125 acre property in the city of Gaithersburg. In the beginning of 1998, after years of planning, designing and applying for the proper permits, the church prsary, it purchased a 4.125 acre property in the city of Gaithersburg. In the beginning of 1998, after years of planning, desigsburg. In the beginning of 1998, after years of planning, designing and applying for the proper permits, the church paid off in full the mortgage on the property. As its members continue to faithfully give to the building fund, the church plans to break ground for its new building in 2000. The church hopes to be able to dedicate the new building on Easter, 2001.

In the growth process of the church, the General Assembly of EFC sent many pastors to help on an interim basis, including Rev. and Mrs. Josue Hsu, who stayed for a longer term. In November 1989, the General Assembly sent Minister David Hsu to pastor the church. One year later, David Hsu was ordained as pastor and remains as the senior pastor. During this period, there were also many ministers and lay leaders who ministered to the English Congregation, including Rev. and Mrs. Bill Lyons (a retired missionary to Taiwan), Mr. & Mrs. Randy Hirscher, Elder Tsung Ping Su, Brothasis, including Rev. and Mrs. Josue Hsu, who stayed for a longer term. In November 198 stayed for a longer term. In November 1989, the General Assembly sent Minister David Hsu to pastor the church. One year later, David Hsu was ordainedter David Hsu to pastor the church. One year later, David Hsu was ordained as pastor and remains as the senior pastor. During this period, there were also many ministers and lay leaders who ministered to the English Congregation, including Rev. and Mrs. Bill Lyons (a retired missionary to Taiwan), Mr. & Mrs. Randy Hirscher, Elder Tsung Ping Su, Brother Alex Huang. In April of 1996, the church invited Minister David Tsai to become a full time minister for the English Congregation. Two and a half years later, David Tsai was ordained as pastor. Praise God for sending His servants to care for His church in a timely manner. During this time, many were baer Tsung Ping Su, Brother Alex Huang. In April of 1996, the church invited Minister David Tsai to become a full time minister for the English CongreMinister David Tsai to become a full time minister for the English Congregation. Two and a half years later, David Tsai was ordained as pastor. Praise God for sending His servants to care for His church in a timely manner. During this time, many were baptized ad as pastor. Praise God for sending His servants to care for His church in a timely manner. During this time, many were baptized and became members of the family of God. May all glory be to God.

EFC-DC has always seen itself as the “Antioch" church in the East Coast for EFC. In the last twelve years, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit and experiencing God’s countless blessings, sister churches were established in the East Coast. Among these blessings are two full-time pastors, one church property, and a group of believers who work together to build the body of Christ. Under the plan and encouragement of the General Assembly, the East Coast EFC churches have become more and more likperiencing God’s countless blessiountless blessings, sister churches were established in the East Coast. Among these blessings are two full-time pastors, one church property, and a group of believers who work together to build the body of Christ. Under the plan and encouragement of the General Assembly,erty, and a group of believers who work together to build the body of Christ. Under the plan and encouragement of the General Assembly, the East Coast EFC churches have become more and more like a synod. Every year, there are joint summer retreats, Gospel camps, and other joint events, such as the Spring and Fall ministers retreat. The ministers retreat helps to set the direction of ministry for the churches, to maintain the vision and zeal for evangelism, and plant/establish churches under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Sunday Services: Two services, one in Taiwanese and one in English, with a combined average attendance of 175-180 (Taiwanese: 108; English 47; Children: 22). The majority of the members resides in Maryland and Northern Virginia. Every Sunday, several come a long way from Frederick and Reston to attend services and to serve. Their faithful keeping of the Lord’s Day is a constant encouragement and also a reminder of the greatness of the harvest field and the need to continue to establish churches. The Deacon’s Board has also established a music department which currently consists of choir performances for special occasions. In the future, as the church building is completed, the music department will oversee the praise and worship portion of weekly services.

Weekly Meetings: there are four small groups meetings, divided according to geographical location (Frederick, Potomac, Silver Spring, and Northern Virginia); six fellowships (Caleb, Songs of Solomon, English college and adults, English Senior and Junior High, Mandarin adults and Mandarin students).