Established in 1990, Agape is a place to experience God’s love and His transforming power. Church is a “home” where we are re-parented by God in a loving community that upholds the truth of the Bible. In this church family, we grow together through vibrant worship, genuine relationships, studies in God’s word, prayer, discipleship training, and community service.
“Agape” (ancient Greek ἀγάπη, agapē) is pronounced “ah-GAH-pay.” It is one of several Greek words that is translated into English as “love.” Distinct from philía, storgē, and éros, agapē particularly refers to unconditional, selfless love. It is the kind of love that God gives us, for us to experience and to share.
We’re excited about God and the good things He’s doing on earth, and love that we get to be part of it. We hope you’ll find Agape to be a place to call “home.”
Leadership
Henry & Sandee Chu, pastors
Henry and Sandee met each other at Agape and later got married at Agape in 1995. They began pastoring Agape’s English Ministry together since 2008, they also oversee Agape’s kids ministry. The Chu’s home is a seasonal hub for various church activities.
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Henry immigrated to the US from Taiwan during college. After graduating from UC Berkeley, he had an extensive career in analog IC designs for about 20 years while shepherding international students under Agape’s Chinese Ministry. During that time, he also completed his seminary education. Henry was invited to join Agape’s pastoral staff in 2008. He has a deep love for Scripture, and a unique calling for prophetic preaching. You’ll find him passionately proclaiming the cross of Jesus Christ and challenging believers to live outside of their comfort zone as true disciples of the Lord. Henry is a foodie and a man of principle & efficiency.
Sandee was born in Taiwan and moved to San Francisco in the 6th grade, and received a call to serve God as a teenager. While studying Communications at USF, she joined Agape and was deeply impacted by the life-changing church community. Sandee has been on staff at Agape since 1995 and received an MA from Western Seminary. She is passionate about God’s presence, worship, and intercession. She is a spiritual mother and a friend to many people because of her heart for healing, and a deep desire to see people grow in their identity as God’s beloved children. Sandee enjoys world cultures and multimedia.
Mary Gurley, youth director
Mary Gurley was born and raised in California and joined Agape as a baby because her parents serve in Agape’s Chinese Ministry. Mary has a heart for missions and was trained at Heidi Baker’s Iris Harvest School in Mozambique.
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Shortly after, she interned at the International House of Prayer in Kansas City, wanting to grow in prayer and the Bible. She graduated from UCLA with an Anthropology and Language Teaching B.A. and went on to teach English and serve the church in Taipei for two years.
Mary pursues after the presence of God and loves anything that can make her laugh. She is grateful to be back at her home church serving the youth and seeing them grow in their relationship with the Lord and their spiritual gifts. Mary got married to David at Agape in February 2021, and they enjoy getting boba together and going on walks at Los Alamitos Creek Trail.
Allan Lao, Outreach Pastor
Allan was born in Taiwan and grew up in rural Hualien. As a teen he immigrated to Portland, Oregon. Allan has a vast background ranging from bio, nursing, culinary arts, accounting, tech, construction, missions, teaching, and rehab ministry.
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Allan and Amy were married in 1994 and have three children, Andrew, Grace, and Hannah. Allan is multilingual and has several theological degrees. Allan was on staff at Agape from 1996 to 2006, after which his family lived in Taiwan for 18 years to care for Amy’s mom. Allan has been serving as an ordained minister since 2015. In early 2024, Allan and his family returned to the US and rejoined EM’s pastoral team. Allan enjoys talking to strangers and making friends. He has a passion to reach people with God’s love and to nurture them with God’s word.
Core Values
We exist as a church
To WORSHIP God in spirit and in truth through the proclamation of the gospel and passionate worship.
To SHARE God’s love through community and biblical relationships.
To DEMONSTRATE God’s power through prayer and intercession.
To COMMUNICATE God’s Word through Bible exposition and outreach missions.
To TRAIN God’s people through ministry service and discipleship.
To CONNECT God’s family through fellowship and care groups.
We believe
