威明顿主恩堂 Wilmington Community Evangelical Church

History

Beginning in the 1960's, Christian professionals and students in Delaware and southeastern Pennsylvania held monthly fellowship and Bible study meetings. On January 4, 1981, the Wilmington Chinese Evangelical Church was formally founded. Rev. Edward Knettler helped with the pastoral duties. In November 1982, Rev. David Mao came from Taiwan to serve as the Senior Pastor. The vision of the church is “Mission and Church Planting”.

Between 1981 and 1983, the church held its Sunday worship services in the afternoon at Bethany Baptist Church in Newport, DE. In the fall of 1983, the church moved to the Chinese American Community Center (CACC) in Hockessin, DE and started Sunday morning worship services. In January 1988, the Co-Workers' Committee was formerly renamed the Board of Deacons. Brother Chia-Lin Wang and Hsiang Shih were elected Elders in January 1991. Brother Tah-Ben Hsu was elected Elder in January 1993. On January 1, 2001, the church officially changed its name to Wilmington Community Evangelical Church.

In November 1986, Rev. John Tung joined the church as the Associate Pastor to establish the English and Youth Ministries. In July 1990, Rev. John Tung moved to Maryland to pastor at the Chinese Bible Church of Maryland. Rev. Ben Han took over as the Associate Pastor.

In July 1994, Rev. Ben Han left Delaware. Rev. Edward Knettler, Pastor Emeritus, served in the interim as the Pastor of English Ministries. On January 1, 1997, Rev. Steven Tan joined the church as the Associate Pastor with responsibilities in the English and Youth Ministries. In the spring of 2000, Rev. Steven Tan left to pursue his Doctorate. Rev. Andy Moore took over the Youth Ministry in the fall of 2000.

In 1987, the church and many church members purchased more than 10 acres of land near the intersection of Route 7 and Brackenville Road as the first step toward fulfilling a church building vision. In March, 1992, church held the groundbreaking service for new church building. After over a year of working with united hearts and spirit, the church held its Building Dedication Ceremony on June 13, 1993.

Rev. David Mao retired in January 2004. Rev. K. S. Ling, Rev. James Yeh and Rev. Bill Englehart joined the church in mid 2003. Rev. K.S. Ling left Delaware in 2006. In January 2009, Rev. Peter Wu joined the church as the Senior Pastor to shepherd the church.

The adult membership grew from 23 in 1981 to near 180 in 1997. Today the adult membership is about 260, excluding youth and children. The church provides a variety of programs, on Sunday, Friday and weekdays, to serve God’s people of all walks and ages, from mothers to working professionals, and from young toddlers, children, youth, adults to the elderly. Church also administers a fellowship ministry to care for the spiritual and everyday needs of its members. Church Sunday services are held in both English and Mandarin for adults, youth and children, and a complete Sunday school system also serves adults, youth and children.

Regular scheduled fellowship meetings include:

Weekly prayer meetings
EMF Cornerstone/LIFE Fellowship (English-speaking adults)
Sisters' Fellowship
College Fellowship (English-speaking)
Family Fellowship
Followers of Faith Fellowship (Senior High & Junior High)
Evergreen Fellowship (senior citizens)
AWANA Club (K to 6th grades)
UD Bible Study group (Mandarin-speaking)