Born and raised in San Jose, CA in a Christian extended family—my uncle, aunt and maternal grandmother all lived with my parents and my sister for many years—I didn't come to saving faith until a summer retreat during my middle school years. It was then and there that the Gospel message became no longer just a fact I understood in my mind but a reality and conviction in my heart.
It was during my undergraduate years at UC Berkeley (B.A. Architecture, Minor in Business) that I first felt the desire to enter into ministry while being a part of InterVarsity Christian Fellowship as well as volunteering with at-risk youth and the homeless. That desire became a calling when I was volunteering at my home church's youth group while working full-time after graduation. I headed out to the east coast for seminary and after graduating from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary (M.Div, ThM in Biblical Studies), much to my own surprise, I not only returned back to the Bay Area, but also back to my home church (Chinese church in San Jose) where I served first as the youth pastor and then as the English-speaking lead pastor for 17 years.
I've been serving as an elder and associate pastor of Mercy Hill Church since 2022. What drew me to Mercy Hill was the diversity (ethnically, culturally, socio-economically, different life-stages) of the church, the theological convictions of the church and the family-like atmosphere of the church. A church of all people, for all people!
The Lord has blessed me with a wonderful wife and 3 boys—never a dull moment in our home! As a family, we enjoy playing board games and trips to the local library. I also currently serve on the boards (as well as coach) at my local Little League and several other Christian ministries.
It was during my undergraduate years at UC Berkeley (B.A. Architecture, Minor in Business) that I first felt the desire to enter into ministry while being a part of InterVarsity Christian Fellowship as well as volunteering with at-risk youth and the homeless. That desire became a calling when I was volunteering at my home church's youth group while working full-time after graduation. I headed out to the east coast for seminary and after graduating from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary (M.Div, ThM in Biblical Studies), much to my own surprise, I not only returned back to the Bay Area, but also back to my home church (Chinese church in San Jose) where I served first as the youth pastor and then as the English-speaking lead pastor for 17 years.
I've been serving as an elder and associate pastor of Mercy Hill Church since 2022. What drew me to Mercy Hill was the diversity (ethnically, culturally, socio-economically, different life-stages) of the church, the theological convictions of the church and the family-like atmosphere of the church. A church of all people, for all people!
The Lord has blessed me with a wonderful wife and 3 boys—never a dull moment in our home! As a family, we enjoy playing board games and trips to the local library. I also currently serve on the boards (as well as coach) at my local Little League and several other Christian ministries.
If you had to pick a “life verse,” what would it be and why?
Galatians 1:10—"For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ." This verse challenged me and convicted me when I first read it as a teenager and still does to this day. It reminds me of who I'm ultimately living for and trying to please—to live for an audience of one!
Name one person who's had a significant influence on you and tell us why.
My parents. My parents have shaped me in every way to be who I am today—from their faithfulness to the Lord, the local church, their family, their work ethic, their love and service of others...I could go on and on!
What's one fun fact you could share with us about yourself?
My first name is legally "Joey"—not Joseph. "Joey" is a transliteration of my Chinese name. My parents first named me in Chinese and then based my English name off of my Chinese name.
If you had to pick your favorite spot in the Bay Area, what would it be and why?
It used to be the Barnes & Noble cafe where I spent many a hours reading and drinking coffee—until it closed...but any place with books and coffee hits the spot for me!
When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you "grew up"?
As kid, I've wanted to be a policeman and then a comic book writer/artist—I still would love to write a comic book/graphic novel someday!