By Rev Timothy Mak

August 15, 2021

In 1969 Dr. Andrew Gih, founder of “Evangelize China Fellowship”, ordained brother Timothy Mak and commissioned him to San Francisco to start pioneering the work of Holy Word Church. Rev. Mak, his wife Dr. Josephine Mak MD and their family arrived in San Francisco from Ireland in 1971.

The ministry began with tract distribution and home visitations. After a few months of hard work, the group formed a Bible study and used an American church in the Sunset area of San Francisco for their worship service. God answered our prayers and provided a property for purchase that would become our church facility. This property on 19th Avenue included an empty lot, a warehouse with the capacity to hold 250 people, and an apartment building with three legal residential units. This property was purchased from an American Christian woman at a very reasonable price and was made possible because we were able to get a loan.

God was faithful to meet the need of the growing ministry of which we were very thankful. Holy Word Church of San Francisco was able to minister to the local community through ministries such as sports programs and Mandarin and Cantonese classes. In 1994, the Social Hall was built in the empty lot to meet the needs of the growing congregation. Pastor Mak’s daughter, Grace Mak joined the ministry for the English service from 2003 to 2020.

As we celebrate our 50th anniversary, four members of our church will be ordained as elders. Lastly, we express our gratitude to Rev. Chester Cheung and Pastor Frank Lee for their love for our church with their preaching. Our congregation values your prayers as we pray for and seek God’s servant who will continue this ministry as Rev. Mak retires. May God bless you all.