Board: Established Board for the Blessings Foundation (Torrance, LA) in May. Founding Directors: Jason Lok, Mark Yu, James Liao, Edwin Su, and Grant Chen.
Coworkers: Mrs. Liangshu Chen served voluntarily as Acting Executive Director. Yuanyuan Zhou, also known as Ningzi, joined in August as a writing coworker.
Oct./Nov.: State and federal registrations were completed.
Began publishing the newsletter.
1995
On May 1, assisted Martha Chan's North American Scholars Ministry in inviting Professor Dunhua Zhao of Peking University’s Department of Philosophy to visit the United States. A small academic symposium was held for two days at the Los Angeles Bread of Life Christian Church.
Invited Min Zhang, former host of “Half Hour at Noon,” to come from Montreal, Canada, to guide Yuanyuan Zhou and Zhiming Yuan in producing radio programs.
In the second half of the year, Yuanyuan Zhou and Zhiming Yuan produced and aired “The Light of Azure” every Saturday on Los Angeles AM1300 Chinese radio.
1996
Staff: Yuanyuan Zhou resigned.
In September, the Blessings Seminary Student Scholarship was established. The first Blessings-supported seminarians were Min Zhang, Yuanyuan Zhou, Zhongxin Wang, and Ling Li.
Board: Chairman Jason Lok and his family moved back to Taiwan.
1997
June 21: “The Road of the Gospel in China” evening event was held at Mandarin Baptist Church of Los Angeles, with special speakers Bingcheng Feng and Zhiming Yuan.
Board member Pastor Grant Chen left Bread of Life Church at Los Angeles in July. At the end of the year, he began pursuing a Ph.D. in Intercultural Studies at Trinity International University in Chicago.
1998
New seminarian: Yan Xiong.
Staff: Mrs. LiangShwu Chen became the volunteer Executive Director.
While studying in Chicago, board member Pastor Grant Chen also served as Interim Pastor of North Shore Chinese Christian Church.
1999
Board: Betty Yu joined the board, succeeding Mark Yu, who passed away in January. Patrick Chen also joined as a new director.
Staff: Sharon Lin joined as Secretary.
June 21: Held the “Gospel for the Chinese” meeting at MBCLA.
New Seminarians: Wenyu Xie and Zhiping Chen.
In October, Executive Director Mrs. LiangShwu Chen and Pastor Grant Chen left the U.S. and returned to Taiwan.
2000
Board: Samuel Hsieh joined as a new director.
Staff: In March, Executive Director Mrs. LiangShwu Chen and Pastor Grant Chen returned to the U.S.
New Seminarian: Mark Zhang.
2001
In July, Pastor Grant Chen became President. Mrs. LiangShwu Chen transitioned to Administrative Director and Executive Editor.
New Staff: Harris Ha joined to help with the website.
May 4–6: The first BF Family Retreat was held.
May 5: Held the “Gospel for the Chinese” meeting at FECSGV.
New Seminarians: Samuel Chen and Zuxing Chen.
Publication: The first issue of Blessings Magazine was published in October.
2002
Board: Leon Hsiao joined as a new director.
Established three strategic directions: Talent Cultivation, Academic Exchange, and Mass Media.
New Seminarians: Paul Peng and Mark Shan.
May 9–11: The second BF Family Retreat was held.
May 10: Held the “Gospel for the Chinese” meeting at EFC Alhambra.
June 7–10: Sponsored a CCSANA academic conference at Westminster Seminary.
The website was established.
2003
Board: Isaac Chen and Ekron Chen joined as new directors.
New Staff: Julie Chuang joined as editor.
New Seminarians: Thomas Hu, Leanne Luo, and Rebecca Tsai.
June 6–9: Sponsored a CCSANA academic conference at Fuller Seminary.
July 24–26: The third BF Family Retreat was held.
In October, Pastor Grant Chen and Mrs. LiangShwu Chen went to China for teaching and academic exchange.
Publication: Christianity and China, Vol. 1, was published.
2004
Board: James Liao resigned.
In January, Pastor Grant Chen and Mrs. LiangShwu Chen visited BF graduates in Texas.
New Seminarians: Rachel Shi, Ziyin Wang, and Zigang Cheng.
July 15–17: The fourth BF Family Retreat was held.
August 18: Pastor Grant Chen spoke at the “Influence of Christianity in China over the Past 200 Years” event, hosted by Cosmic Light at FECSGV.
October 7–11: Pastor Grant Chen and Mrs. LiangShwu Chen visited BF seminarians in Boston.
During Thanksgiving in November, Pastor Grant Chen and Mrs. LiangShwu Chen visited a BF seminarian in Chicago.
December 10–12: Pastor Grant Chen and Mrs. LiangShwu Chen visited a BF seminarian in Vancouver.
2005
In January, the office moved to Monterey Park, California.
New Staff: Ling Li joined as Director of Academic Exchange and General Secretary of the Christianity and China Research Center.
Board: Samuel Hsieh resigned; Teresina Chen joined as a new director.
New Seminarians: Minju Li and Zhiyong Wang.
Established the Scholarship for Christianity Research in China, in cooperation with FCCE.
April 17–May 6: Pastor Grant Chen and Mrs. LiangShwu Chen served in Asia and visited Blessings members.
June 1–6: Pastor Grant Chen and Mrs. LiangShwu Chen served in Boston and shared with visiting scholars at the Harvard-Yenching Institute.
June 17–21: Co-organized a CCSANA academic conference in San Jose.
July 14–16: The fifth BF Family Retreat was held.
September 9–11: Pastor Grant Chen visited a Blessings seminarian in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
October 8–10: Pastor Grant Chen and Mrs. LiangShwu Chen visited Blessings seminarians in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Publication: Christianity and China, Vol. 2.
DVD: Introduction to BF Ministry.
2006
Expanded to four strategic directions: Talent Cultivation, Academic Exchange, Mass Media, and Evangelism/Training.
New Staff: Ziyin Wang joined as Director of Mass Media and later founded the “Love in China” ministry; Zhongmin Li joined as Research Center Assistant.
January 13–15: Pastor Grant Chen and Mrs. LiangShwu Chen led a mission conference in New Jersey at MCCC.
New Seminarian: Zhiqiu Xu.
July 13–15: The sixth BF Family Retreat was held.
October 20–21: The “Cultural Mission” seminar was held at EFCLA, featuring the film Love in China.
Publications: A Winding Journey of Cultural Transformation and Christianity and China, Vol. 3.
Film: The first short version of Love in China.
2007
New name: “Blessings Cultural Mission Fellowship” was added as the organization’s name.
Staff: Min Li resigned in November.
March 29–April 1: Pastor Grant Chen visited Blessings members in Boston.
New Seminarians: C. L. Hu and Luke Zheng.
May 28–July 1: Pastor Grant Chen and Mrs. LiangShwu Chen served in Asia, attended the “Dialogue between Christianity and Confucianism” conference in Hong Kong, and visited scholars at various universities.
July 19–21: The seventh BF Family Retreat was held.
July 29: The Blessings Vision Sharing Banquet was held at the Arcadia Community Center.
October 24–27: The Research Center hosted the international academic conference “Review and Outlook of East-West Cultural Exchange” at William Carey University.
Film: Official version of Love in China.
Publication: Christianity and China, Vol. 4.
2008
Board: Tom Chang joined as a new director.
Staff: Julie Chuang resigned in February. Jeffery Liu joined in May as Editor and Administrative Assistant.
April 10–14: Pastor Grant Chen and Mrs. LiangShwu Chen visited Blessings members in Boston.
New Seminarian: Joan Liu.
July 10: Hosted visiting scholars invited by CCSANA.
July 17–19: The eighth BF Family Retreat was held.
August 18–September 2: Pastor Grant Chen and Mrs. LiangShwu Chen served in Australia.
October 24: The Research Center hosted the forum “Christianity and Modern China” at Shaanxi Normal University.
Publication: Christianity and China, Vol. 5.
DVD: A Bright New Life, a testimony DVD.
2009
Board: Peter Chen joined as a new director.
Staff: Ziyin Wang resigned and founded Love in China Communications Co., Ltd.; Bell Ge joined as Outreach Coordinator.
April 24–26: The Research Center co-organized the academic conference “The Basic Spirit and Future Direction of Chinese and Western Cultures” with Shandong University.
New Seminarians: Ling Tian, Baosheng Guo, and Peter Li.
June 6: The Research Center held the seminar “Christianity and Contemporary China” in Los Angeles.
June 25 and July 15: Hosted visiting scholars invited by CCSANA.
July 16–18: The ninth BF Family Retreat was held.
August 9–21: Pastor Grant Chen and Mrs. LiangShwu Chen served in Brazil.
September 24: The Research Center held the lecture “The Contemporary Chinese Church” at Good Shepherd Church.
October 4: The Blessings Gratitude Banquet was held at Los Angeles Bread of Life Church.
Publication: Christianity and China, Vol. 6.
DVD: Blessings Devotional and Gospel Messages, Series 1.
2010
Staff: Bell Ge resigned in June.
February 20: The Research Center held the seminar “Cultural Characteristics and Evangelistic Strategies of the Post-’80s Generation” at the office.
March 18–21: Pastor Grant Chen and Mrs. LiangShwu Chen served in Boston and New Haven, and visited Blessings members.
New Seminarian: Jing.
May 3–13: Pastor Grant Chen and Mrs. LiangShwu Chen served in Europe and visited Blessings members in Oxford and Edinburgh.
May 27–28: The Research Center held the academic conference “Christianity and China Modernization Forum” at East China Normal University.
July 3: Hosted visiting scholars invited by CCSANA.
July 15–17: The tenth BF Family Retreat was held.
July 20–August 20: Peter Li interned with Blessings.
September 11: Held the “Sharing on Cultural Mission Ministry” dinner at a church in New Jersey.
October 28–30: The Research Center co-organized the international academic conference “Church and Society from the Perspective of China’s Modernization” with Chung Yuan Christian University.
Publication: U-Turn of Life. DVD: Blessings Devotional and Gospel Messages, Series 2.
2011
April 8–9: The first Asia Blessings Family Retreat was held in Beijing.
New Seminarians: Marina Wang and Y H Ge.
June 25–26: Pastor Grant Chen visited Blessings members in Northern California.
July 7: Hosted visiting scholars invited by CCSANA.
July 14–16: The 11th Blessings Family Retreat was held.
September 5–19: Pastor Grant Chen and Mrs. LiangShwu Chen served in Asia and participated in the 8th CCCOWE Conference in Bali, Indonesia.
October–December: Jiming Chen interned in the Literature Department.
2012
April 20: The second Asia Blessings Family Retreat was held in Beijing.
May 25–26: The first Blessings Family Retreat in Europe was held in Oxford.
New Seminarians: Shan Zhou, Miao Zeng, and Zhiqiang Chen.
July 6: Hosted visiting scholars invited by CCSANA.
July 19–21: The 12th Blessings Family Retreat was held.
August 22–24: Pastor Ling Li participated in the theological seminar “Christianity and China in the 21st Century” in Boston.
September 20–October 2: Pastor Grant Chen and Mrs. LiangShwu Chen served in Asia and spoke at the Autumn Revival Conference in Seoul.
October 29–30: Pastor Grant Chen and Mrs. LiangShwu Chen visited Blessings members at CIU.
Publication: Probing the Myths of Science.
DVD: Blessings Devotional and Gospel Messages, Series 3.
2013
Staff: Jeffery Liu retired in April; Jing Zhang joined as Editor and Administrative Assistant.
New Seminarians: Xiaoman Li and Joshua Fang Xie.
Office: In mid-June, the headquarters moved to Irvine, and the Research Center office moved to CESNA.
July 14: Hosted visiting scholars invited by CCSANA.
July 18–20: The 13th Blessings Family Retreat was held.
September 3–24: Pastor Grant Chen and Mrs. LiangShwu Chen served in Asia and led the Mid-Autumn Retreat in Seoul.
September 11–12: The third Asia Blessings Family Retreat was held in Beijing.
Publications: Pastor Ling Li’s About Heaven and Earth: A New Perspective on Faith and Culture and Christianity in China Research, Vol. 1, were published.
2014
Blessings Foundation celebrated its 20th anniversary.
April: A special 20th-anniversary issue of Blessings Magazine was published.
Staff: In February, Yichen Zhang began assisting with graphic design.
New Seminarian: Quan Li.
June: The introductory film for Blessings Cultural Mission Fellowship was completed.
The five strategic areas became: Leadership Development, Academic Exchange, Mass Media, Theological Training, and Mission Sending & Partnerships.
Missionaries: Thomas Hu and his wife were accepted as Blessings missionaries.
Board: Isaac Chen resigned.
July 16–19: The 14th Blessings Family Retreat was expanded and held on a larger scale.
July 19: The 20th Anniversary Thanksgiving Celebration, “Transforming the Chinese Soul through the Gospel,” was held at Great Commission Church of Irvine.
October 24–26: Pastor Grant Chen led the Los Angeles Bible Study and Revival Meeting.
Publications: Beyond Traditional Truth, A Panoramic View of Cultural Mission, and Christianity in China Research, Vol. 2.
2015
Board: Kang Xiao and Harris Liu joined as new directors.
Staff: Xunzhi Xia retired; Xuexi Lin resigned; Shangchun Cai joined as Secretary; Yichen Zhang resigned; Zhaohong Yu served as a volunteer Finance Assistant.
Missionaries: Joshua Gou and his wife, Salinna, were accepted as Blessings missionaries.
New Seminarians: Jin Li and Karen Kang.
March 11–17: Pastor Grant Chen and Mrs. LiangShwu Chen served in Europe and visited Blessings members in England.
April 7–May 11: Pastor Grant Chen and Mrs. LiangShwu Chen served in Asia and visited Blessings members in China.
June 6: Co-sponsored the third Faith and Contemporary Art Seminar in Los Angeles.
July 16–18: The 15th Blessings Family Retreat was held.
September 19: Pastor Grant Chen spoke at the North America Chinese Christian Education Conference in Los Angeles.
September 25–October 19: Pastor Grant Chen and Mrs. LiangShwu Chen served in Asia, led the Seoul Mid-Autumn Revival Conference, spoke at the Mission China 2030 conference in Hong Kong, and visited Blessings members.
November 7–9: The Research Center hosted the academic conference “Christianity and Moral Formation in Modern China” at Renmin University of China.
Publication: Glory Through Tears: A Reflection on the Beatitudes.
2016
Board: Tom Chang and Leon Hsiao resigned.
Staff: Jing Zhang resigned. Sherry Feng joined as Graphic Designer, and Wei Li joined for New Media. Hezhen You served as a volunteer Finance Assistant.
New Seminarians: Abraham Liu and Zhengguang Wu.
February 7: Hosted visiting scholars invited by CCSANA.
February 26–27: The Research Center co-hosted the “Forum on the Sinicization of Christianity” with CESNA.
March 30–May 3: Pastor Grant Chen and Mrs. LiangShwu Chen served in Asia, recorded Ten Lectures on the Lord’s Prayer at Good News Radio, and visited Blessings members.
July 21–23: The 16th Blessings Family Retreat was held.
October 9–12: The fourth Asia Blessings Family Retreat was held at Chung Yuan Christian University in Taiwan.
October 22–30: Pastor Grant Chen and Mrs. LiangShwu Chen visited Blessings members in China.
October 29–30: The Research Center hosted the international academic conference “Christianity and Modern Chinese Education” at Shanghai University.
Publication: When the Soul Soars Toward the Throne: An Exposition of the Lord’s Prayer.
New Media: The “Bless Me to Be a Blessing” WeChat platform was established.
2017
Board: Alex Chu and Benjamin Kuo joined as new directors.
Staff: Abby Chen joined as Assistant Editor and later also served as Finance Assistant; Sherry Feng and Wei Li resigned.
Office: In March, the office moved to the adjacent office building.
New Seminarian: Mingzhi Chen.
April 18–May 3: Pastor Grant Chen and Mrs. LiangShwu Chen served in Asia and visited Blessings members in Hong Kong.
July 15: Hosted visiting scholars invited by CCSANA.
July 20–22: The 17th Blessings Family Retreat was held.
July 30–August 11: The Research Center co-hosted the “Summer Workshop for Ph.D. Students in Christianity” with CESNA.
October 23–November 21: Pastor Grant Chen and Mrs. LiangShwu Chen served in Asia and participated in the “Symposium Commemorating the 500th Anniversary of the Reformation” in Bangkok.
October 22–26: The Research Center hosted the academic conference “Christianity and Medical and Health Services in Modern China” at Shanghai University.
2018
Staff: Ling Li and the Research Center became independent from Blessings and transitioned to FCCE.
Board: Chikong Shue joined as a new director.
Staff: Shangchun Cai resigned. Yishan Shen served as Secretary for several months. Hui Li joined in September as Assistant to the President and Outreach Coordinator. Zhiqiu Xu served as a Blessings contract consultant.
Missionary: Yi He was accepted as a contract missionary for UCI campus ministry.
New Seminarians: Jun Wang and Guang Liu.
March 21–23: Pastor Grant Chen and Mrs. LiangShwu Chen visited Blessings members in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
April 11–23: Pastor Grant Chen and Mrs. LiangShwu Chen served in Asia and visited Blessings members.
June 4–10: Pastor Grant Chen and Mrs. LiangShwu Chen visited Blessings members in the eastern United States.
July 19–21: The 18th Blessings Family Retreat was held.
At the end of July, one family returned to China to serve.
September 22–25: Pastor Grant Chen led the Mid-Autumn Revival Conference in Seoul.
October 20–23: Pastor Grant Chen visited Blessings members in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
November 6–21: Pastor Grant Chen served in Asia, led meetings in Hong Kong, and visited Blessings members there.
2019
Accounting: Theresa Wang, CPA, retired in April; Gary Hsu, CPA, was hired as the new accountant.
Board: Peter Chen resigned.
Missionary: Yi He resigned and went on to pastor a student church.
New Seminarians: Biao Liu, Anlin Tseng, Jesse Sun, and Yucheng Bai.
January 1–29: Pastor Grant Chen and Mrs. LiangShwu Chen served in Taiwan and visited Blessings members.
April 17–20: Pastor Grant Chen and Mrs. LiangShwu Chen visited Blessings members in Durham.
July 17–20: The 19th Blessings Family Retreat was expanded and held on a larger scale, with Blessings missionaries invited to participate.
August 5–14: Zhiqiu Xu taught at the “Advanced Seminar on Human Cultural Heritage” at Tsinghua University in Beijing.
September 12–15: Pastor Grant Chen and Mrs. LiangShwu Chen led the Mid-Autumn Revival Conference in Seoul.
October 13–19: Pastor Grant Chen and Mrs. LiangShwu Chen served in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and visited Blessings members.
Publication: New edition of Introduction to BCMF.
2020
Starting in January, Pastor Grant Chen preached a Sunday message once a month at Irvine Chinese First Baptist Church.
February 2: Pastor Grant Chen led the mission conference at Chinese Baptist Church of Central Orange County.
New Seminarians: Xin and Andy Kuo.
Beginning in March, staff worked from home due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
July 15–18: The Blessings Family Retreat was held online, with Blessings members participating from around the world.
Beginning in July, board meetings were held online.
In September, the Blessings Joy Fund for Evangelism was established to support frontline ministers in China who were in need.
In November, Zhiqiu Xu taught the “Advanced Seminar on Human Cultural Heritage” online for Tsinghua University.
Publication: The U-Turn of Life, Vol. 2, was published as an e-book in December.
2021
Board: An ad hoc board meeting was held on January 10, followed by board meetings on February 7 and July 18.
New Seminarian: Sean Long.
Pastor Grant Chen preached online Sunday messages for several churches, including Irvine First Chinese Baptist Church on January 7, February 14, March 21, April 4, May 23, June 20, and July 4; North Shore Chinese Church in Chicago on January 17 and May 16; Eastern Hills Wesleyan Chinese Church on February 17; and West LA Shenzhou Mission Church on February 28, April 11, and May 30.
On June 12, Pastor Grant Chen spoke at the Midwest ABC / Access Bible Convention online conference in Chicago on the topic “Religious Dialogue in Media Ministry.”
On June 26–27, Pastor Grant Chen led an online retreat for North Shore Chinese Church in Chicago. He also spoke online for The Home of Christ Church in Fremont on May 2 and July 25.
From January to July, Jun Wang interned with Blessings.
The Blessings Forum began in February, led by Jun Wang. Jesse Sun took over in August, and a total of 14 forums were held by December.
March 5: A small online gathering of Blessings family members was held, with 13 participants.
July 14–17: The 21st Blessings Family Retreat was held online, with Blessings members participating from around the world.
July 26–December 15: Pastor Grant Chen and Mrs. LiangShwu Chen stayed in Taiwan to accompany Pastor Chen’s father in his final days, handle funeral and family matters, and visit several churches and ministries in Taiwan.
In September, Ling Tian joined the staff as Editor and Researcher.
In November, Zhiqiu Xu taught the “Advanced Seminar on Human Cultural Heritage” online for Tsinghua University.
Staff: Hui Li resigned at the end of the year.
2022
Board: Board meetings were held on February 13 and July 17, and an ad hoc board meeting was held on April 24. In July, Jason Lok resigned from the board and became a lifetime volunteer.
Pastor Grant Chen preached at Irvine First Chinese Baptist Church on January 9, February 13, April 10, July 10, August 14, September 11, and December 11; at Shenzhou Mission Church (West Los Angeles) on July 31 and December 18; and at Joyful Christian Church on December 24. He also preached at several online gatherings: March 25–27, online evangelistic meetings for Princeton Christian Church; April 7, a recorded message for the Chinese Pastors Fellowship on “Mission and Chinese Churches”; and November 11, a testimony sharing for the Peking University Alumni Fellowship, responding to Professor Liqun Qian’s preface and related topics.
March 7–29: Ling Tian came to Irvine to work on Blessings Magazine.
New Staff: Pastor Zuxing Chen came to Irvine for an interview from April 21–23 and recorded a video interview on April 22. On June 1, he officially began serving as Director of Pastoral Care and Training.
CPA Gary Hsu was suddenly called home to the Lord in his sleep on April 2. On May 5, CPA Jeffrey Lu was confirmed as the new accountant.
New Seminarians: Peter Long, Yan Cheng, David Chen, and Bin Xia.
Online Blessings gatherings: Seminarian gathering on June 5; Blessings Family Retreat from July 13–16; Blessings family gathering on November 18.
Missionaries: Guang Liu had an online sending ceremony on March 5 and returned to China with his family to serve on March 18. Luke Zheng was ordained in Chicago on July 23. Joshua Gou was on sabbatical leave in North America from September 5 to November 15. In December, Shan Zhou and his wife were accepted as new Blessings missionaries.
Director Zuxing Chen’s itinerary: August 3–8, led a leadership march in Montana; September 30–October 2, attended the mission conference at Living Water Evangelical Church in Chicago; October 12–26, visited Blessings members on the East Coast; November 12–20, visited Blessings members in the Midwest.
New Staff: Administrative Assistant Shirley Chen joined on November 1.
2023
Board: A board meeting was held on February 26. At the July 22 board meeting, amendments to the bylaws were approved, and Zhiqiu Xu was invited to join as a new board member.
New Ministry: The Flourishing in the Lord lecture series began in February, meeting three times a month. It was led by Pastor Zuxing Chen, with assistance from Ling Tian.
Pastor Grant Chen preached Sunday messages at Irvine First Chinese Baptist Church on February 12, March 12, May 14, June 11, July 9, August 13, September 10, and December 11; at Joyful Christian Church on February 19, June 2, and September 3; and at Chinese Baptist Church of West Los Angeles on September 24 and November 26.
Pastor Grant Chen led special meetings, including the Princeton Christian Church retreat on March 24–26, small-group leaders’ spiritual renewal retreats at Irvine First Chinese Baptist Church on May 19–20 and November 4, and the Lord’s Grace Christian Church retreat on May 27–29.
On June 30, the office moved to its new address: 17900 Sky Park Circle, Suite 230, Irvine, CA 92614.
New Seminarian: Mudi Li.
New Staff: Yan Cheng joined on July 1.
July 19–22: The 23rd Blessings Family Retreat was held in Houston, with seminarians as the main focus.
Director Zuxing Chen’s itinerary: February 27–March 5, visited Southern California; September 4–9, led the Montana Brothers’ Wellness Camp; October 13–15, led a church mission conference in Baltimore; November 1–9, visited Southern California.
Ling Tian transitioned to the role of Scholar Ministry Specialist and assisted with the “Journey in Search of Light,” a collaborative project among The Blessings Foundation, ReFrame Ministry, Tsinghua University, and Peking University. Her itinerary took her to Southern California from August 22 to September 12.
Missionary Guang Liu began scholar ministry in China. His wife, Wanru, assisted with post-production and posters for Flourishing in the Lord.
Hou-Jien Yen, CPA, was invited to serve as accountant. Beginning in 2024, the fiscal year was changed to January–December.
Assisted Dr. Ming Wang in promoting the film Sight.
2024
30th Anniversary Events: In April, Cultivating Culture, Connecting Legacy: Blessings 30th Anniversary Commemorative Special Issue was published. On May 13, a launch event was held at Jiahui Hall, Mandarin Baptist Church of Los Angeles. On June 1, the “Blessings 30th Anniversary Thanksgiving Gathering” was held at Bread of Life Church in Torrance. From June 18–21, the 24th Blessings Family Retreat was held on an expanded scale at Hilton Orange County/Costa Mesa.
Board: On July 23, the board accepted Director Betty Yu’s resignation. Pastor Aiguang Chen took over as Treasurer, and Pastor Zhiqiu Xu became Secretary.
New Seminarian: Steven Chen joined in August.
Pastor Grant Chen’s Sunday Messages: Joyful Christian Church on February 4, April 7, and August 18; Irvine First Chinese Baptist Church once each month from April to May, and on February 11, August 11, and September 8; Irvine Chinese Baptist Church on August 25; and Shenzhou Mission Church on September 15.
Special Meetings Led by Pastor Grant Chen and Mrs. LiangShwu Chen: January 9, Five Loaves and Two Fish Sisters’ Fellowship at Zhongfu; February 24, taught at Irvine First Chinese Baptist Church; March 1, Living Water Fellowship at Zhongfu; May 26, officiated at the memorial service for Preacher Xinyou Huang; August 13, Five Loaves and Two Fish Sisters’ Fellowship at Zhongfu, led by Mrs. LiangShwu Chen; August 25, officiated at the ordination of Preacher Wan Xiang.
Pastor Zuxing Chen’s Itinerary: January 13–17, retreat for core coworkers of Foothill Fellowship; July, “Beyond Missions” discipleship and practicum gathering in North Carolina; July 22–25, Chinese Public Theology Symposium at Calvin Theological Seminary; August 31–September 6, Brothers’ Retreat in Montana.
Ling Tian’s Itinerary: May 27–30, attended the North American Chinese Seminarian Conference at Wheaton College; July 10–15, in-person “Journey in Search of Light” retreat in Kansas City; July 22–25, Chinese Public Theology Symposium at Calvin Theological Seminary; September 1–6, Sisters’ March in Colorado.
2025
This year, four seminarians completed their Ph.D. degrees: Andy Kuo in Old Testament, Biao Liu in New Testament, Yucheng Bai in Church History, and Peter Long in Systematic Theology.
Two new seminarians were accepted this year: Songzan Xu at the University of Cambridge and Ying Cao at the University of Toronto. Support is also scheduled to begin in January 2026 for another new seminarian, Lunfei Liu at the University of Cambridge.
In April, the Asia Blessings Family Retreat was held.
In June, the North America Blessings Family Retreat was held at Wheaton College, with more than 60 adults and children participating.
Dr. Andy Kuo became a Blessings missionary. He and his family have returned to Taiwan and settled there. Andy teaches at China Lutheran Seminary, and his wife, Youyu Chen, serves as a ministry coworker at Hsinchu Beimen Holiness Church.
Beginning in April, The Blessings Magazine launched a new web-based format, with each article given its own link to make reading and sharing easier.
Beginning in September, Andrea Lee began serving as a part-time English editor. Starting in January 2026, she is also scheduled to serve as Assistant to the President, while helping proofread the magazine and website.
The Flourishing in the Lord wellness lecture series continued. From January through September, the lectures were led by Ling Tian. Beginning in November, a Blessings missionary using the pseudonym Lu Baijia was invited to share once a month from the perspective of a professional counselor on the theme “A More Abundant Life.”
The Blessings Online Forum was held online once a month, exploring the relationship between knowledge and faith and inviting experts and scholars as speakers.
This year marked the ruby wedding anniversary of Pastor Grant Chen, President of the Blessings Foundation, and Mrs. LiangShwu Chen. Mrs. Chen wrote an article that was published in Issue 96 of The Blessings Magazine in July 2025.