Hello! My name is Toby and I am the ministry staff to the youth (MSTY) here at Bay Area Chinese Bible Church. I have been working at this church since July 2007 and I love every minute of it! In a nutshell, I am responsible for overseeing all that goes on with our youth. God has truly blessed me with the opportunity to serve at the church I grew up attending all my life. It is very rewarding to see students mature in their knowledge and love of our Savior Jesus Christ. Watching kids develop a big heart for God and a big heart for others brings great joy to my life! My life motto is: The bigger the heart, the better the person. As I continue to lead our youth and our staff, I pray (and you are welcomed to join me in prayer) that I can lead by living a life that is “worthy of the calling” I have received. 

“As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” – Eph. 4:1-3 (NIV) 

I grew up in the greatest city in the world: Oakland, California. I was fortunate enough to be brought up in a loving Christian home by my parents, Peter and Helen, and an older brother, Christopher. While my immediate family is not big, I have a very large extended family. Whenever we get together, it is guaranteed to be a crazy time!

Growing up, I had no intention of working at a church. I definitely had no intention of becoming a pastor. In fact, for most of my childhood, I wanted to become a marine biologist and work with dolphins since they are my favorite animal. But I just couldn’t shake God’s call for my life. 

Other than my faith and my family, I love spending time hanging out with people, cooking, xanga-ing (yes, I still xanga), thinking up lame jokes, watching food network shows and various sitcoms, and keeping up with my favorite football team, the San Francisco 49ers!