by Pastor Patrick Cho
Last month, Lighthouse Bible Church San Jose installed Mark Chin as their new senior pastor. We were super excited to celebrate together that momentous occasion for their church family. Mark, Julie, and their two boys, Athan and Joshua, have been getting acclimated to their new city and surroundings, so I thought this would be a good occasion for us to get to know Mark and his family a little better as well.
Tell me a little bit about your family.
Julie was born at the KP [Kaiser Permanente] in West LA where I worked as a per diem physician throughout seminary and recently. She’s a Korean American gal who grew up in Cerritos and went to UCI. She was a 5th grade school teacher. She loves music and loves to sing. Athan Jeremiah was named after Athanasius, the Bishop of Alexandria and the prophet Jeremiah. Athan’s the performer and party person in the family. Joshua Cephas was named after . . . well, kind of obvious right. He’s the stealth bomber in the Chin family.
Stealth bomber?
He’s quiet, flies under the radar, but delivers a major impact.
How did you and Julie first meet?
A friend tried to set me up with one of Julie’s best friends. [Note: You’ll have to talk to Mark and Julie to get the rest of that story.]
How and when did you become a Christian?
My mom laid the foundation by reading us (my brother and me) Bible stories every night from a children’s Bible and singing Gospel songs with us. Some of my earliest and best memories are hanging out with my brother on my parents’ bed while my mom played, sang, and read Bible stories to us. This went a long way to establish a simple understanding of who God is, who Jesus Christ is, and what sin is. The need for a saving relationship with Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins was pressed upon me at the Christian elementary school I went to in Toronto. Then one evening, I was compelled to get out of bed and approach my mom to ask what I needed to do to be saved and have a relationship with Jesus Christ. My mom shepherded me along the path of pursuing forgiveness for my sins from our Lord and Savior and of surrendering my life to His will and His Word.
Where did you study?
I studied at a variety of different places. I did my undergraduate at the University of Western Ontario in Canada. I did my MD at the University of Ottawa Canada. I did my family practice residency at the University of Toronto in Canada. I did my seminary training at The Master’s Seminary in Sun Valley, CA.
When did you know you wanted to become a pastor?
I suspect there were inklings part way through medical school while reading through the Sermon on the Mount in my dorm room.
Can you tell us a little bit about the rest of your family?
My grandfather emigrated from the south of China to Toronto, Canada in the early 1900’s. We suspect he was cheap labor for some aspect of the CP rail projects and then later established himself in the stereotypical Chinese laundry business. He then brought my father out of China in the 50’s when the Communist Party took over China. My dad was among the earliest Asian civil/structural engineers in Canada. My mom, half-English and half-Chinese, was adopted by a Christian family who were very British. She was a public health nurse. So my brother and I grew up in a very mixed cultural home, with a heavy emphasis on church, which became our primary community growing up.
What is your favorite food?
Ice cream. Chocolate.
What is your favorite pastime or hobby?
Reading – go figure. I used to love boogie boarding and skiing – but getting to surf and snow is a little more challenging these days.
Is there any passage of Scripture that has stayed with you or has been particularly helpful to you over the years?
The Sermon on the Mount still crushes me. John 15, 1 Peter, and the book of Jeremiah are very special to me.
Who have been some of the most influential people in your life?
My family, my buddy Ben Dosti, a Christian med school prof, Wayne Mack, John MacArthur, and Jim Pile and John Street – two pastors I served under at Grace Community Church.
What are some things you would like to accomplish before you die?
How long have I got? I just want to finish well – as a faithful servant of Christ, a faithful husband and father. I would love to preach/teach through most of the Bible.
How do you feel about joining the Lighthouse Bible Church family?
Thrilled to be part of a church that is so anchored to Christ and committed to living His Word in every aspect of its ministry!