Mount Olive Chinese Church History

The establishment of Mount Olive Chinese Church was rooted in a Bible study group. In the summer of 1994, Pastor Loren Steele started a Bible study group with Twin Cities' Chinese residents. There was only a very small group of people for the first few years until 1997. In 1997, the group began reaching out to Chinese students and scholars on the University of Minnesota campus, and the Bible study group grew rapidly. The first issue of "Today's Life" was also published. The Bible study group soon adopted the name Chinese-American Fellowship Council.

In 1998, the ministry changed its location of worship to the WELS Center in the Dinkydome, near the University campus. The ministry set an information table in the Coffman student union and chatted with students on campus. The Council changed its name to WELS Chinese Mission and worship was held on Saturday afternoons. In order to reach a larger group of students, Mission also began to exchange letters with students from China coming to study at the University of Minnesota. Mission organized airport pick-ups and found host families for the new students.

Early in 2002, the Mission moved into Mount Olive church in Saint Paul. Mount Olive Chinese Church was founded on February 15, 2002. In November 2002, Pastor Zhou Linnan was called to work with Pastor Steele in the ministry. Pastor Steele passed away on the 8th of January 2005. In July 2005, Pastor Liang Peng joined the congregation.

One significant event of Mount Olive Chinese Church is "China Call". It was first held in 1998. The rally lasts one day and various speakers are invited to speak about topics relating to Christianity. The purpose of this rally is not only to spread Christianity, but also to help believers further develop their faith.