Practicing their religion

Torus Tammer

FOUNTAIN VALLEY -- Eddie Liu wants people to know what makes his life

so wonderful. In fact, it’s a sentiment shared by everyone in his parish

at the Chinese First Baptist Church of Fountain Valley.

“I had a vision to give help to the community by giving free classes

for those that were religious and nonreligious -- some that would help in

their career, some that were for fun,” said the multilingual Liu.

The church, established in 1977, moved to Fountain Valley from

Westminster six years ago to accommodate its growing congregation. Upon

moving to its new Fountain Valley digs, Pastor Murphy Lum and Assistant

Pastors Andrew Ho and Howard Hsieh desired continued community

involvement and growth.

“We as a church wanted to expand with new ways to follow the Bible’s

teachings,” Ho said. “For example, one of the teachings is love thy

neighbor. So we wanted to find a way to let our community know that we

love them and are concerned about them.”

Enter Liu -- the inspired pioneer who molded compassion and

understanding into the tangible form of free weekly classes, available to

anyone in the community.

Liu, with the parish’s blessing and cooperation, designed a

multifaceted program that includes classes in photography, computers,

English and automobile maintenance. The sessions are held every Sunday

for 2 1/2 hours. Chapel Hours is part of the agenda -- a time when

parishioners share with the students their beliefs and experiences with

the teachings of the Bible.

“From our standpoint, we are open about giving a testimony of how

Jesus changed our lives and how we became Christians,” Liu said. “We are

not trying to force anyone to do or believe anything because we advertise

openly -- which means we make people aware that they’re welcome, but we

would like them to know about our faith too.”

Liu, now the program advisor, served as its director for five of the

six years of its existence. This year, he handed the reins over to a new

director, Philip Huang.

The church maintains the program promotes such virtues as tolerance,

faith and friendship, as well as providing the Chinese community with a

familiar culture service.

“Our church is to serve the lord, that is our responsibility,” Liu

said. “And to serve our community is our obligation.”