ELLEN HWANG
Youth Director
Since Sep 2005

Ellen came to know Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior in her sophomore year of high school, only a year after a friend invited her to youth group. Since then, she has been actively serving in her home church, New York Christian Testimony Church (CT) in Elmhurst, Queens. Before answering God's call into to work with youth in 1999, Ellen served as the college & career home fellowship leader at CT—and didn't like youth very much...

But things have changed. Through working with the youth at CT, she has grown to love all sorts of young people. Her desire is to see them firmly rooted in Christ and discipled to produce the next spiritual generation. She continues to work with the youth group and is also an English ministry coworker at her home church and currently serves as the English Vice Chairman on the Board of Directors for the NY Summer Conference.

Born and raised in NYC, Ellen received a B.A.in Urban Design & Architecture Studies from New York University. Instead of pursing a Master's degree in Urban Planning, she worked for a couple of years and then jumped on the "dot-com" bandwagon during the Internet boom as a web designer. In seeking out the next steps for her life through prayer for 2 years, God called her into full-time youth ministry as the director of CCHC's Herald Youth Center.

Other than God and youth, she loves playing sports, event planning, and making things. She welcomes any opportunity to work on improving her Mandarin and Cantonese. She also aspires to master the art of guitar playing and learn how to swim.

EUGENE LEE
Recreation Coordinator
Since Oct 2004

Eugene's call to full time ministry actually began earlier but it was solidified when he attended the "Perspectives on the World Christian Movement" course. He received the Perspectives Certificate in 2001, which was life changing for him.

Eugene had been reluctant to the calling God had placed on him to come to CCHC. He wanted to be a missionary doctor in a country where the persecution index for being a Christian is 100%. He didn't want to serve in a postmodern world and his greatest struggle was to live in a society of relativity. But God wants him here as a mobilizer—someone who is burdened to go overseas but is instead, called to stay where they are and share the vision for missions.

Eugene has been a member of Overseas Mission Church from 1982-1997 and 2001-Present. He led a summer small group back in 1997 when he was a part of ZION fellowship. He was at OCM Vision Church for a few years (1997-2001), but eventually returned to his mother church. While at the University of Buffalo, he was an active member of Buffalo Chinese Christian Church. His involvement in his college fellowship Living Stones led him to lead small group. He graduated from UB with a B.A. in Psychology in 2004.

Eugene's hobbies include martial arts, playing handball and eating!

MANNI LEE
Youth & Volunteer Coordinator
Since Mar 2007

Manni received her calling to serve God in 1997. Since then, God has led her through various serving opportunities through her church, Church of the Living Lord and volunteering at CCHC’s youth ministry. She was working in the public health field that did not allow her to give fully all her time and energy into ministry work.

It wasn't until she got married and had her first child in 2002 that Manni was able to take 4 years of maternity leave. Being a full time mother was fun, challenging, tiring, rewarding, and at times, too routine. And it also took her away from serving in the church. While going to ministry training school for a year, she had her second child. It was during this time that Manni deepened her desire to commit more of herself to building up God’s kingdom.

Manni works part time at her church as a youth worker and part time as CCHC's youth and volunteer coordinator. With both part-time positions, Manni gets the best of youth ministry. She loves working with youth while serving along side with them also. Her desire to outreach to the youth, who are from the community and are also friends of other youth at CCHC, to connect them to churches continues to grow.

Once in a blue moon when she gets a free day, she enjoys it by bumming at home or relaxing with her children instead of caring for them, catching up with old friends, or her favorite thing—going on a date with her other half.

CARMEN CHAU
Education Coordinator
Since Oct 2008

Carmen was born in Hong Kong and immigrated with her family to New Jersey when she was 10 years old. She received her B.A. in Biology Secondary Education from New York University in 2006 and taught science for 2 years in the NYC Public School system. It was also at NYU, in her second year when Carmen accepted Christ through attending InterVarsity Christian Fellowship on campus.

While being a high school science teacher was fun, challenging, and very rewarding, it was too structured for her. Carmen remembered when she felt most fulfilled and joyful were the days when she got to talk to her students during lunchtime and after school. They would share about their lifestyle, their families, and their values in life. Carmen would challenge them to think critically and teach them how to make healthy decisions. The teachers at Facing History School not only would meet the students' needs academically but also teach them how to interact socially.

Working with youth has taught Carmen that she needs to let God be God. When CCHC's door was opened for her, she knew God could use her teaching background and her bilingual skills to do what she loves to do: meet students' needs, be creative, share her faith and see students transform! God has also called her to serve at her home church, Oversea Chinese Mission, as part of her fellowship's staff and worship team. She continues to grow with her core group of sisters in Christ in her women bible study and through her weekly prayer group.

Carmen lives a worshipful life, praising God through art and especially in music. She loves to find great and affordable places to eat in NYC! She likes to create things with her hands and enjoy every chance to be spontaneous in her packed schedule. She also enjoys playing guitar, journaling, reading, watching anime, taking nature walks, or spending time and laughing with her friends.

PHOEBE HO
Children's Ministry Coordinator
Since April 2009

Phoebe joined the Youth Department in April 2009 as our Children's Ministry Coordinator, and specifically, special needs children.