新光基督教會簡介NEW LIGHT CHRISTIAN CHURCH HISTORY 新光基督教會於1984年九月二日成立，神给開拓教會的謝學良牧師一個異象，就是把福音傳給華人-不論是從台灣來的，或中國大陸，甚至各地的華僑都能聚在一起以大家共通的語言來敬拜這三位一体的耶和華神。「僕人的心態｣也是謝牧師常強調，他也以身作則-服事華人，將福音傳給華人。政治不能改善國家，唯有基督耶穌的福音才能救國救民。 On September 2, 1984, New Light Christian Church was born out of a vision given to Rev. Shue-Liang Hsie – A vision of spreading the Gospel in a common language to all Chinese people, regardless of their origin, whether it is Taiwan, China, or any part of the world, and worshipping together the Triune God. Rev. Hsie emphasized the attitude of being a servant and being an example to all as he served and reached out to the Chinese people. He believed that politics cannot improve a country. Only Christ and His Gospel can save a country and its people. 由五個家庭所成立的新光教會，創會後第一年的主日是在謝牧師家中聚會。 隔年即開始借用彌賽亞信義會堂聚會。 教會也開始参與普世宣教事工，愛我們的主也继续將得救的人数加添，慕道友或主內的弟兄姊妹果真從世界各方來聚集。教會成立五年後，謝學良牧師和師母仍然作帳棚事奉，白天上班，晚上和週末探訪會友及牧會。With five families, newly formed New Light Christian Church met in Pastor Hsie’s house. A year later, they found a home in Messiah Lutheran Church in Park Ridge. The church also began to participate in global missions. Our loving God added to our numbers those who are saved. Seekers and believers from around the world joined us and our loving God added to our numbers. However, five years after its start, Pastor and Mrs. Hsie continued to minister as tentmakers – working in the day time and pastoring and visiting at night. 因人力有限，教會人數較難增長，就在此時加州華人信義會吳天賜牧師來訪，並介紹美國福音信義會，經禱告認為此是神為我們的需要而提供及時的幫助。1989年六月二十五日，经會友投票通過申請加入美國福音信義會。Limited resources became a bottleneck to growth. At that time, Rev. Wu Tian-Tsai from an Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) congregation in California visited us and introduced us to the ELCA. After praying over it, we felt this is timely help from the Lord. On June 25, 1989, our congregation formally voted to join ELCA. 謝牧師於1990年十月二十一日成為信義會差派於新光的植堂牧師。1994年新光基督教會正式成為美國福音信義會堂會。爾後謝牧師被聘為新光首任主任牧師。October 21, 1990, Pastor Hsie was commissioned as New Light’s pastor developer. In 1994, New Light Christian Church was officially organized as a congregation of ELCA with Rev. Hsie as its first pastor. 隨著人数的增長至近百人，所借的場所己不敷使用。三次購堂的嘗試均失敗。在各樣困難中，神要眾弟兄姊妹學會謙卑、禱告、和依靠。终於在神所預定的時間表中，新光教會購得新堂址，神也按著祂兒女的需要，在價錢、地理位置及建築物上大大的賜福给新光。購堂的过程充滿神蹟奇事，神的作為是如此奇妙。As the membership approached a hundred, Messiah Lutheran Church can no longer accommodate the congregation. Three attempts made at acquiring our own church building were not successful. We realized that through the failures, God was asking us to learn to humble, to pray, and to rely on Him. Finally, in His timetable, New Light acquired a church building. God provided in accordance with the need of His children. He blessed New Light with a building with the best location at the right price. God’s hand was evident through out the process. 1999年的感恩節早晨，新光開始于新堂聚會。2000年四月十六舉行新堂奉獻感恩崇拜。于同一年的八月，謝牧師退出牧會進入宣教工場。2000年九月至2009年八月聘任陳啟世牧師為主任牧師。目前我們正在尋聘新牧者。Thanksgiving 1999 started another chapter in New Light. Worship service began in our own church building. Dedication service was held on April 16, 2000 and members were filled with thankfulness. In August 2000, founding pastor Rev. Hsie retired from pastoral ministry and dedicated his remaining life to mission. In September of the same year, Rev. Chi-Shih Chen started as the second pastor of New Light. Rev. Chen departed in September 2009 to start a new church. A new pastor is being sought. 英文事工的異像形成於2000年. 開始只是青少年崇拜. 2005轉形成為整體的英文事工. Bill Hacker於2008-2009成為首任英文事工主任. 下一任英文事工主任現在仍在尋找中. Vision for a new English ministry began in the year 2000. It started with an English based youth service. The English youth service began its transition to a full fledged English service in 2005. In 2008, Bill Hacker was called by the congregation as the first director of English ministry. As of July 1, 2010, 感謝神！新光繼續成長，近年吸引許多來自中國大陸的慕道朋友，多人受洗歸在主的名下。教會不但行政工作上軌道，且在建造弟兄姐妹屬靈的事工上，通过小组、成人主日學、兒童主日學和門徒訓練都有顯著的成長。英文事工也在發展中。願榮耀、頌讚全歸與神！Thanks to God. New Light continued to grow. Many believers and friends from China joined the New Light family, many by baptism. The church continues to increase in spiritual maturity through cell groups, adult and children Sunday schools, and discipleship. May the Lord be glorified and praised!