Located in Irvine, Orange County, Irvine First Chinese Baptist Church (IFCBC) has been deeply rooted in the community for over 40 years.
Established in 1976 by Pastor and Mrs. Chi Sang Lam, who came from Hong Kong under God’s guidance, IFCBC has become a vital place for many Chinese immigrants seeking spiritual belonging, discovering truth, and building meaningful connections while living abroad.
Early on, recognizing the growing number of Chinese immigrants in Orange County and their need for the gospel, Pastor Lam partnered with the Pacific Southwest Conference of American Baptist Churches and Garden Grove First Baptist Church.
On March 6,1976, they founded the first Chinese Baptist Church, starting the gospel ministry.
As the congregation grew, the church moved south to Fountain Valley in 1978, and formally registered as a California nonprofit religious organization in 1979.
On August 15, 1985, the new church building was completed in Irvine and officially named Irvine First Chinese Baptist Church.
By God’s grace, IFCBC has continued to grow over the past four decades, offering not only Sunday worship, but also Sunday School, Bible studies, and rooted small groups to help believers build a firm foundation in God’s Word and support one another in spiritual growth.
Diverse Ministries Across All Ages — Building a Multi-Generational Faith Family
The church places great emphasis on caring for different age groups and fostering deep connections. Current ministries include:
- College Fellowship: Meets every Friday night for Bible study, small group sharing, and life support, serving as a spiritual refuge for international students and young professionals.
- Youth Fellowship: Regular gatherings and topical events to help youth establish a strong foundation in faith.
- Children’s Fellowship: Blends Bible stories, songs, and crafts so that children can know God from an early age.
- English Classes for New Immigrants: Helping newly arrived families adjust to the language and culture in the U.S.
- Thursday New Believers’ Bible Study, Friday Morning Adult Bible Study, and Wednesday Night Prayer Meetings: Meeting the needs of believers at different stages of spiritual growth.
Strengthening Bonds Through Annual Gatherings
To help members build even deeper connections, the church also hosts major annual events:
- All-Church Picnic in May: Enjoying fellowship, games, and meals under the sun while witnessing God’s grace together.
Church picnic at Mason Regional Park in May
- Annual Retreat (typically over Labor Day weekend): Stepping away from daily busyness for three days and two nights to draw close to God and renew spiritual strength.
Brothers and sisters from the church’s Friday Bible study found renewal at the annual retreat as they listened to hymns and drew closer to God
- Monthly OC Rescue Mission volunteer service: visiting the Orange County Rescue Mission to tangibly care for those in need in the community by cleaning kitchens, distributing food, and putting the love of our faith into action.
IFCBC Volunteer Day 2025.5 — Each time, parents and children alike experience the joy and fulfillment of serving others
Standing Firm in Truth, Walking Together in Love
IFCBC stands firmly on biblical truth, professing faith in the one true God, the salvation of Jesus Christ, and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.
The church believes: “The church is the body of Christ, and Jesus Christ is the head of the church.”
We strive to be a spiritual home for Christians, encouraging members to grow together through worship, learning, serving, and missions.
Here you will find a community of people who are eager to walk alongside one another, exploring faith and the meaning of life together.
No matter your background or the stage of life you are in, you can discover companions here who will pray with you, learn with you, and grow together with you.
Website: www.ifcbc.org
Address: 3785 University Drive, Irvine, CA 92612
Tel: 949-854-4005
Email: info@ifcbc.org