袁雅各
我出生於中國安徽。回首從得救到蒙召服事，每一步都看見神清晰的帶領。
大學時，我遠離家鄉到海南讀書。那時對人生充滿迷茫，覺得世上沒有任何目標值得我用一生去追逐。在絕望中，我透過海南廣播電臺“空中交友”節目，認識了海南醫學院的明衡姊妹。她不斷分享基督的救恩，她在基督裡那份真實又有愛心的生命深深吸引了我。
植堂的路上，孤單、因內心剛硬和無神論教育的影響，我遲遲沒有接受耶穌。感謝神 沒有放棄我。祂藉著同學引薦，把我帶到學校附近的一個家庭教會。在那裡，牧者和師母用愛心接納我。我開始認真尋求真理。
一次聚會中，新加坡來的慧清姊妹分享“罪”的資訊，當她引用“世人都犯了罪，虧缺了神的榮耀” （羅 3:23）和“罪的工價乃是死”（羅 6:23）時，聖靈深深抓住我。聚會結束後，我獨自決志禱告，悔改認罪，接受耶穌作救主。那一刻，我感受到前所未有的釋放與自由。信主後，神很快把“拯救靈魂”的負擔放在我心中。我火熱地參與校園傳福音，幾乎邀請所有認識的人來教會。畢業後工作一年，教會推薦我到太平洋海島接受神學裝備。2009 年神學畢業後，我先後在塞班、菲律賓和中國大陸參與教會與基督教育事工。
2017 年，神帶領我們全家來到美國弗吉尼亞州東岸。我們先在 Manassas 一間華人教會聚會。當地牧者看到 Fairfax 地區近十萬大陸背景的新移民，許多人尚未信主，便鼓勵我出來植堂。
起初我毫無信心。但在尋求過程中，以賽亞書 6:8“那時我聽見主的聲說：‘我可以差遣誰呢？誰肯為我們去呢？’我說：‘我在這裡，請差遣我！’”深深感動我。我對主說：我願意。
神奇妙地預備同工。一對安徽同鄉夫婦，以及另外一個家庭和一位單身弟兄，先後願意與我一同出去植堂。這完全是神的恩典。 2018 年 10 月，我們小小的團隊（三個家庭加一位弟兄）正式開始植堂聖愛華人教會（Agape Chinese Christian Church at Fairfax Station）。我們搬到 Fairfax 華人聚集區，借用一間美國白人教會的場地，每週五晚上聚會。我們的異象是：願更多華人因認識耶穌而生命改變。第一年非常艱難，聚會人數不穩定，只有十人左右。我們堅持每週預備飯食，用心服事。後來透過 ESL 英語班等活動，人數才慢慢增加。
2019 年疫情來臨，聚會轉為線上。2021 年恢復實體聚會後，許多人卻沒有回來。那段時間我非常灰心，甚至想過關閉教會。正當我對自己失望時，神卻開始動工。陸續有弟兄姊妹穩定參加，有人信主受浸。每一次看見生命被改變，我就重新得著力量。我深深明白：真正作工的是神，不是我。
植堂的路上，孤單、疲憊和沮喪常常伴隨。感謝神賜給我們忠心的同工，他們在時間、精力、金錢和才幹上的擺上，成為我們繼續前進的動力。我漸漸明白：建造教會不是短期專案，而是一場需要長期忍耐與委身的屬靈工程。比起人數增長，生命的真實改變更為重要。對深受無神論和中國文化影響的移民來說，來到基督面前需要跨越很大的鴻溝，這需要極大的忍耐和神的恩典。
未來的道路，我知道主仍會繼續操練我的信心。無論如何，我願全然交託，單單仰望恩典的主。
歡迎您透過禱告、短宣、資助或委身，一同參與神在弗吉尼亞費爾法克斯（Fairfax, VA）的事工！
聯繫方式： Andrew Yuan 地址： 12792 Dogwood Hills Ln, Fairfax VA 22033 電話： 703-380-3510 郵箱： andrewyuan2018@gmail.com
My Church Planting Journey
Andrew Yuan
I was born in Anhui, China. Looking back, I clearly see God’s guidance from my salvation to my calling into ministry.
During university in Hainan, I felt lost and without purpose. Through a radio program, I met Sister Mingheng, whose genuine Christian life drew me to the gospel. Though I struggled due to my atheistic background, God patiently pursued me. Eventually, I was brought to a house church where I experienced loving care and began seeking the truth.
At one gathering, a message on sin deeply convicted me. That night, I repented and accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. When I opened my eyes, I felt an overwhelming sense of freedom and peace.
After my conversion, God placed a strong burden on my heart for evangelism. I actively shared the gospel on campus. After working for a year, I was sent to seminary for training. Since graduating in 2009, I have served in various ministries in Saipan, the Philippines, and China.
In 2017, God led my family to Virginia. Seeing the growing Chinese population in Fairfax, my pastor encouraged me to plant a church. Though I lacked confidence, Isaiah 6:8 moved me to respond, “Here am I. Send me!”
God faithfully provided co-workers, and in October 2018, we began planting Agape Chinese Christian Church with a small team. The early days were difficult, with low and unstable attendance. We persevered through faithful service, outreach, and ESL ministry, and gradually saw growth.
The pandemic in 2019 brought new challenges, and many people did not return afterward. I felt discouraged and even considered giving up. But I was reminded that true success is simply being faithful to God’s calling.
In my weakness, God continued to work. New people came, some believed and were baptized, and lives were transformed. I realized again that it is God who builds His church.
Though church planting brings loneliness and fatigue, I thank God for faithful co-workers whose sacrifice and commitment continue to encourage us to move forward. I have gradually come to understand that building a church is not a short-term project that can be completed in three to five years, but a long-term spiritual endeavor that requires patient endurance and continual commitment. Compared to numerical growth, the genuine transformation of lives is far more important. For immigrants deeply influenced by atheism and Chinese culture, crossing the great gap to come to Christ requires tremendous patience and God’s grace.
As for the road ahead, I know the Lord will continue to train my faith through various circumstances. No matter what, I am willing to entrust everything completely to Him and look only to the God of grace.
You are warmly welcome to participate in God’s work in Fairfax, Virginia, through prayer, short-term missions, financial support, or personal commitment!
Contact Information:
Andrew Yuan
Address: 12792 Dogwood Hills Ln, Fairfax VA 22033
Phone: 703-380-3510
Email: andrewyuan2018@gmail.com
Download PDF
About the Author
