Chinese Independent Baptist Church (CIBC) began over 100 years ago as a neighborhood church serving Oakland's Chinatown. The church recognizes and appreciates God's providential care, provision and faithfulness in its growth from very modest beginnings in 1906 to now occupy an expanded site on eighth and ninth streets and in its effective ministry to over 800 people every Sunday. The church emphasizes preaching, teaching and obeying the Word of God. It is committed to sound biblical teaching and has a long history of training and sending future pastors, missionaries and church leaders throughout the world.
While serving the Cantonese, Mandarin, and English speaking community, we reach out to all that want to learn God's word. By working with various fellowship ministries and outreach groups we have continued an emphasis on evangelism and spiritual growth while trying to instill Christ-likeness in all we come into contact with. Whether it is working with small groups locally, fellowship groups within the church or with the various mission groups throughout the world, we strive to meet the spiritual needs and growth that so many need and desire. Through these many years of spreading the gospel to the community and the growth we have observed, we have remained a biblically sound, family oriented church that desires to meet the spiritual needs of your family.
Reverend Timothy Lin, English Youth Pastor
Pastor Tim was born in Taiwan and moved with his family to the United States when he was 7 years old. He grew up in the Bay Area and always had an interest in art and music. Even though he attended church all his life, it wasn't until he was in college that he truly understood the gospel and became a follower of Jesus Christ. After working for several years as a graphic designer, and serving faithfully at his church, Tim felt the call to full-time ministry and decided to pursue training at the Master's Seminary in Southern California. After completing his M. Div studies in 2015, he moved back to the Bay Area to serve as the English Youth Pastor at CIBC. Tim and his wife Christina have been married since 2016, and recently celebrated the birth of their daughter, Olivia. In his spare time, Tim enjoys audiobooks, sci-fi movies, art, music, and video games.
Reverend Pastor Patrick Lai, Cantonese Assistant Pastor
Pastor Patrick was born in Macao, China and was educated in Hong Kong and accepted Christ as Lord in his high school years. Pastor Patrick came to USA with his family and completed his engineering degree and worked in various electronic engineering companies in the Bay Area while actively serving in the local church. He felt the call to prepare for full-time ministry in the Chinese communities and completed his Master of Divinity degree in the Master's Seminary in 2015. He began to serve in CIBC as a pastoral intern in 2016, and then as the Cantonese Assistant Pastor in 2017. Pastor Patrick and his wife Polly has two children Austin and Nathan.
Eric Arnason, English Worship Director
Eric was born and raised in Metro Detroit, but came to CIBC in 2015 to serve on staff as our English Worship Director. He is a graduate of Northland International University, where he received his bachelors in Bible and Missions. Eric is also a graduate of Specs Howard School of Media Arts, where he received his certification in Digital Media Arts. He has spent over 15 years in Chinese culture and ministry. He and his wife, Laura, have three children: Shiloh, Avery, and Rhoan.
For fun, Eric enjoys time with his family and friends, getting out in nature, blogging, composing music, making videos, and drinking boba tea. But above all, he has a heart to "flesh out" the gospel through worship arts, evangelism, and biblical soul care.
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