Welcome to TLC – A Trilingual, Multicultural Family Church
At the Taiwanese Lutheran Church of San Diego (TLC), we are a warm, welcoming and diverse community where Taiwanese, Mandarin, and English speakers worship together as one family in Christ. Our older generation shares the heart and heritage of the Taiwanese language, the younger generation connects through Mandarin, and our children and youth grow in faith through English.
We have three congregations—each with its own style and ministry—yet we share resources, support one another, and grow together in love and service. Here in the U.S., our English congregation especially extends a warm invitation to local friends and neighbors to worship with us, build community, and join in God’s mission to the world.
We unite, for God’s kingdom.
Church Ministry Team
Transitional Pastor/Founder: Rev. Dr. David Chen
Lay Pastor:
Lynn Zhangada
Kwan Chen
Claire Su
English Congregation Coordinator: Deacon David Wang
English Interim Preaching Pastor: Nick Hsieh
Our History
In 1979, Pastor David Chen, Dr. Benjamin Yee-ping Chen, and Trudy Wei—former members of the Formosan Christian Church in Toronto, Canada—felt called to establish the first Taiwanese-speaking Christian church in San Diego, California, USA. Dr. Benjamin Chen and family, who operated a Chinese medicine clinic in San Diego, spoke of America’s Finest City’s beauty, its mild year-round temperatures, abundant sunshine, and its geographic closeness to Taiwan. Inspired by his vivid description and heartfelt encouragement, the families of Rev. Chen and Elder Trudy Wei moved from Toronto to San Diego in the summer and fall of 1979.
TLC began as a small Bible study group in the Lighthouse Deli sandwich shop. By God’s grace, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) provided five years of funding (1980–1985) and, with the support of the Pacifica Synod, allowed the new ministry to use Christ Lutheran Church’s (CLC) facilities in Pacific Beach.
● Nov 1979: Bible study began at Lighthouse Deli sandwich shop in Clairemont
● Feb 1980: Sunday worship started in CLC’s fellowship hall
● Apr 1982: Officially became a congregation and ELCA member
Early members included the families of Rev. Chen, Dr. Benjamin Chen, Elder Trudy Wei and Gao-yan You, Chi-Jen Lin, Fu-Peng Pan, Mao-Chung Chen, and Kenneth Wang. Today, Dr. Benjamin Chen’s family has returned to Taiwan. The families of Rev. Chen and Elder Wang remain active in TLC.
Our Faith
We belong to the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and follow the teachings of the Reformation leader Martin Luther, emphasizing Scripture alone, faith alone, and grace alone. Our core belief is “justification by faith.” Salvation comes solely through trusting in Jesus Christ’s atoning death on the cross — not through human effort or merit.
Come Join Us!
Whether you speak Taiwanese, Mandarin, English—or all three—you’ll find a welcoming place to worship, grow, and serve together.