An Interview with Mrs. Helen Liang,
Founding Pastor of UCCCC in Philadelphia
Yaying
Editor's Note:
The University City Chinese Christian Church (UCCCC) is a young congregation in Philadelphia's West District. It is considered young not just because it recently celebrated its twentieth anniversary but also because it comprises a vibrant group of students, scholars, young professionals, and families from China and Southeast Asia, with teens and children making up over half of its members. This stands out distinctly among North American Chinese churches, where aging congregations are increasingly common. How does UCCCC maintain this young vitality? We interviewed one of the church's founding pastors, Mrs. Helen Liang.
Pastor Helen is from Shanghai and is a fourth-generation Christian in her family. Her grandfather was a minister, and both her great grandfathers were pastors. Yet, she only began to know the Lord after coming to the U.S. in 1980. In 1985, Helen and her husband, Tony Liang —now a pastor at UCCCC—were both baptized on Easter at the Philadelphia Chinese Christian Church. In 1989, the couple joined a team to establish and lead the University of Pennsylvania (UPenn) campus fellowship group, focusing on sharing the gospel with mainland Chinese students and scholars. By 1995, they helped establish the church’s Mandarin congregation. Then in 2004, they were sent by the church to plant UCCCC in University City, where they have been laboring diligently for twenty years. In recent years, they have stepped back to a supporting role, continuing to care for students while remaining committed to raising up younger leaders in the church.
1. A Church with a Vision for Campus Ministry
Question: Pastor Helen, what prompted you and Pastor Liang to start the campus ministry?
Helen: After the “Tiananmen Square Incident” in 1989, many mainland Chinese students flooded into the church. Back then, our church primarily held services in both Cantonese and English, with most attendees from Hong Kong and very few from the mainland. I am from Shanghai, and Pastor Liang is from Guangzhou, so we felt an undeniable duty to begin a ministry for Chinese international students.
Though Pastor Liang was an electronics engineer, his first degree was in physics. He loved to discuss science and faith with others, which happened to be the topics that interested many Chinese international students and scholars at the time. So we began campus ministry by hosting group discussions. In 1995, our church launched a Mandarin Sunday service. Initially, there were only 20 attendants, but by 2002, attendance had grown to 130 or 140, including students, young professors, and even some illegal immigrants.
While serving at the Mandarin congregation, Pastor Liang began his theological training in 1998. In 2000, at the Stephen Tong Cross-Century Evangelistic Convention, Pastor Liang dedicated himself to full-time ministry. At that point, he simply offered himself to the Lord without knowing exactly what he would do next. Over the following years, he earnestly sought direction. For instance, his passion for theology once led him to consider becoming a seminary professor. Yet after much searching, he realized that God's calling for us was to carry on campus ministry. This has become a vision that we cannot put off ever since.
Once God's calling was clear, we formally approached the church in 2003 to request a temporary leave from church ministry so that we could concentrate on developing the campus ministry. After nearly a year of communication and prayer, the leadership committee and deacon board of the church unanimously agreed in early 2004 to commission us as missionaries to University City, evangelizing Chinese students and scholars.
2. A Church Growing Alongside the Student Community
Question: Pastor Helen, you and Pastor Liang have been involved in campus ministry since 1989—over thirty years now. What changes have you noticed in the Chinese international student community during your years of service?
Helen: The changes have been significant. Around 1989, most Chinese international students were funded by the government. Following the 1990s, as China's Reform and Opening-Up policy progressed, the number of self-funded students gradually increased. These students were often hardworking and interested in intellectual discussions on topics like evolution, philosophy, and social phenomena. Prior to their encounter with Christians, they often dismissed church people as "foolish," believing themselves to be intellectually superior. However, when they came to our church and found that many among us were accomplished in philosophy, arts, and academics, their misconceptions or stereotypes about the church started to shift.
Students born after 2000, however, are less interested in big topics like politics or philosophy. At most, they would engage in discussions on comparative religions—such as the differences between Taoism, Buddhism, and Islam. Many of them come from single-parent or complex family backgrounds, often carrying strong feelings of antagonism and defensiveness toward others. Such rebellious and mistrustful mentality deeply influences their views on life and marriage. For the church, helping them build trust, especially in social relationships, is a huge challenge.
Nevertheless, loneliness is a common issue across all generations. Many students struggle to form close relationships due to differences in cultural and family backgrounds. In recent years, emotional issues have become more prominent among Chinese students. For instance, the growing sexual liberalism in China has led some to seek sexual partners to combat loneliness, but this often leads to emotional attachments that end in painful breakups. If we can build relationships with them and create a safe space for them to share openly, we will have the opportunity to help them.
Question: Given these recent changes in the Chinese student community, how has your church adjusted its strategies to share the gospel with them?
Helen: The shifts in the student community made us realize that we need to build personal relationships first rather than immediately jumping in to preach the gospel. For example, a postdoc student at UPenn was initially uninterested in the gospel, but I remembered his name. Three years later, when we met again, I greeted him by his name. He was deeply touched because he could tell that we genuinely cared about him. Only after building that relationship could the seed of the gospel take root.
Relationship-building often begins with welcoming newcomers. When new students arrive, we pick them up at the airport, take them shopping, and help them settle in. Then, we host welcome events—like summer barbecues or fall trips to Princeton to see the autumn leaves. While these may seem like social activities, they are key to forming bonds. Students in a new environment long for companionship. Some struggle with language barriers, academic challenges, or even depression—which has especially high rates among female Chinese international students at UPenn. In our fellowship, we organize themed activities based on these situations. By inviting them to meals and group events, we help them gradually become more willing to join and be part of our community.
Second, we have also shifted our focus to building an open and authentic faith community where people feel a sense of belonging. In small groups, we share our weaknesses and how faith provides answers. Such authentic sharing helps the students see that we are not lofty "preachers" but friends who genuinely care about them. Building close relationships is vital. This can happen in small groups or through one-on-one talks. For instance, while I was sharing on the topic of family-of-origin problems in a college group, a student stood up and talked about his parents' divorce and the emotional turmoil it caused. His openness instantly resonated with a dozen others. This not only helped him release long-suppressed emotional burdens but also encouraged others with similar experiences.
Another example that deeply moved me was about a Chinese student from Temple University. He was very laid-back, caring about nothing. Until his father suddenly passed away, he then hit rock bottom. It was the brothers at church who walked alongside him through that difficult time. Even though he has not yet come to faith, he faithfully attends Friday and Sunday services. This highlights the importance of creating a sense of belonging and offering friendship and the warmth of family to these students.
Last February, our church held a Chinese New Year celebration. Some students were initially hesitant to participate, but once we started making dumplings, they found it fun and joined in. At our table, there were seven non-Christian students. When they learned that my husband is a pastor, one student asked, "How did you accept Christ? Why do you believe?" This wasn't a situation I could have intentionally created. It came from their genuine desire to understand the Christian faith. Even now in 2024, students are still asking these questions. This makes it clear that the door to the gospel remains widely open. We just need to foster an atmosphere of love and care so they can feel our genuine love. We love not because we are so great, but because the Lord loves through us.
3. A Church Collaborating with Campus Ministry Organizations
Question: Many churches in China are unsure about investing in campus ministry. Should the entire church focus on campus ministry, or should campus ministry be a part of the church's overall ministry?
Helen: Our experience shows that campus ministry is hard to sustain by itself without church support, as students typically leave after graduation. When campus ministry is effectively connected with the church, it fosters in students a sense of belonging and a heart for the church. If they stay in the city after graduation, they usually continue serving in church, which helps ensure our steady supply of co-workers for the church.
Many churches wrestle with how much to invest in campus ministry, and the key consideration is weighing the input-output ratio. It is true that stand-alone campus ministries have a high turnover rate, which can appear to be a poor investment on the surface. However, our campus ministry is rooted in the church. This helps us avoid the disconnection seen in some campus fellowship group, where no one cares where students go or what teaching they receive on Sundays, leading to a loss of students after graduation. Our experience suggests that students with a "church mindset" tend to maintain their faith at higher rates, whether they return to China or relocate elsewhere. Many of our students grow into young professionals with faith, even becoming core church members. After graduation, they not only stay involved but also bring friends or other students to church. This model creates a self-sustaining cycle. For those returning to China, their "church mindset" prevents them from staying at the level of fellowship. Instead, they actively commit to the local church, and that is absolutely crucial.
Additionally, as graduates start families and bring their children to church, the church remains young and vibrant. Young people attract more young people—some even drive an hour from the suburbs to join us. Therefore, campus ministry is not just a part of the church—it is a key force that brings lasting vitality to the church and strengthens its unity. It is not just a short-term evangelistic endeavor, but also a long-term commitment to nurturing believers and building up the church. In order to enhance the effectiveness of our campus ministry, we collaborate with organizations such as Ambassadors for Christ and China Outreach Ministries.
Question: I'm curious—how do you collaborate with these campus ministry organizations? Do they handle evangelism and Bible studies and then bring people to your church on Sundays, or do you work together on these ministries?
Helen: Our collaboration model is relatively unique. The staff members of these organizations with whom we work must be members of our church—meaning they are both part of the church and the organization's team. This dual role allows them to fully tap into the organization's resources. For example, if you are a minister with Ambassadors for Christ, you can utilize their resources to lead a ministry team, comprised of co-workers from our church.
Question: That is an interesting model. So, what specific resources do these organizations offer to the church? After all, organizations often rely on church support.
Helen: Indeed, the church usually supports organizations in various ways such as regular missionary offerings or providing venues. However, organizations may also offer resources that the church cannot provide, mainly in the following areas:
- Focused Training: Organize systematic, intensive training for church co-workers.
- Targeted Funding: Organizations may offer specific funds for campus ministry. During a time when we were experiencing financial difficulties, some organizations' support really helped us pull through.
- Fundraising Ability: They can raise funds from other churches or regions—something our church alone cannot easily do.
The collaboration is a two-way partnership. Organizations provide professional resources and training, while the church offers spiritual community and tangible support. This model has not only strengthened our ministry (the church), but also made their (the organization's) work more grounded and impactful.
4. A Church That Holds Fast to Its Calling and Vision
Question: Campus ministry is not easy. How has your church persevered for so many years with limited resources and people?
Helen: Since it is God who has called us, we must not turn away from the vision. God has chosen us, and we trust that He will lead us. A pastor likened the process of campus ministry to "eating twenty dumplings until one feels full." That means it takes time, consistency, and patience before you see real fruit. Nevertheless, every dumpling of progress along the way builds toward the harvest. With this mindset, it becomes easier to stay steady and not be swayed by gains or losses. Every effort lays the groundwork for the final fruit. We don't focus on immediate results but press on by faith.
Do not rush—take it slowly and cultivate it patiently. If you lack co-workers, just do what you can. The key is holding onto the calling God first gave you. God will provide the rest! When we started planting the church, we faced great challenges—we had no co-workers and no venue. While searching for affordable meeting spaces, a doctoral student stumbled upon a Catholic activity center by accident. He told the priest we had little money and asked if we could rent the place. The priest said he had long been praying for someone to use the space—anyone connected to Jesus, regardless of background, was welcome. From then on, we used it at no cost.
God continued to show His grace in small ways. When we began building the current sanctuary, we needed over a million dollars, but we only had $50,000. Former students and visiting scholars who had been part of the church donated generously. As a result, a 30-year loan was paid off in just 10 years—truly a miracle from God!
In sum, for campus ministry to bear fruit, the following elements are key:
1. Hold fast to God's Calling: No matter how difficult the circumstances may be, we must remain faithful to our mission. If it is God's will, He will bring it to completion.
2. Proclaim Testimonies and Truth： We must persistently preach biblical truth to inspire and challenge students, and at the same time, share testimonies with them. This is not only a way to give thanks for God's work, but also an important means of encouraging fellow co-worker.
3. Foster a Sense of Belonging: Cultivate a warm and welcoming community where people feel accepted and cared for.
4. Strengthen Teamwork: Ministry is not about one or two individuals—it requires the collective effort of many.
Final Thoughts
Finally, I would like to share a few words to encourage pastors and co-workers in China who are engaged in campus ministry. When facing setbacks, do not view them only as failures, but remember that God is working among us. Whether your team consists of one, two, or hundreds of workers, as long as you walk God's path, the gospel will surely bear fruit. We believe that once this generation receives the gospel, it will bring profound transformation to China. So, do not lose heart—be filled with faith, trusting that God will use us to accomplish His will.