“Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.”
THE BEGINNING
It all started with a small group of faithful brothers and sisters from Radiance Christian Church in SF and an idea to plant a new church in South Bay. In the spring of 2016, Lead Pastor Mark Chun invited Ulysses and Christine Wang and their children, Audrey and Noah, to move from New York City to the Bay Area. Both lifelong New Yorkers and after serving at Remnant Church for almost 13 years, Ulysses and Christine believed that God was calling them to go. It was a difficult decision but they packed up their bags and moved across the country in August 2016, trusting God had new things in store for them.
Over the next year, the Wangs attended Radiance while they planned and prepped. A pre-launch team was formed in February 2017 and small group meetings of about 25 people began in March 2017. After much wrestling and prayer, they believed God gave them the name Renewal and the verse “Behold, I make all things new.” (Revelation 21:5). Their desire is to see people experience the power of the Gospel and be made new in Him! Renewal Church officially launched on October 1, 2017 at the Sunnyvale Community Center. It has been amazing and exciting to see God unfold His plans for this church!
LEAD PASTOR/ELDER
Ulysses Wang has been heavily involved in Christian ministry since his college days. After graduating with a degree in finance from New York University and working in business for a couple years, Ulysses felt the call to vocational ministry. He received a Master of Divinity from Westminster Theological Seminary in 2006. He’s served as youth pastor, associate pastor, interim lead pastor, and missionary in Asia. He has a real heart for church planting and desires to cultivate a church where believers are passionate about engaging both in the Word of God and with the Spirit of God. Ulysses is married to Christine and they have two kids, Audrey and Noah. Christine was also very involved in campus ministry during her undergraduate years and counts that period of her life as very critical to her spiritual formation. She has served alongside Ulysses bringing a God-given creativity, wisdom, and compassion to their relationship. She worked as a project manager at a media agency in Manhattan until she had their first child. Christine is now a stay-at-home mom and oversees both the Renewal Kids and Youth ministries and takes care of church administration.
PART-TIME PASTOR/PROVISIONAL ELDER
Mark grew up in the East Bay but left to go to UC San Diego for college. There, he met his beautiful wife, Mira. After receiving his call into ministry, he gave up the pursuit of dental school but continued to work bi-vocationally as a research chemist in the biotech industry. He eventually enrolled at Talbot Theological Seminary where he graduated with a Masters of Divinity. Mark started Kairos Church in 2006 and served as the founding pastor for 5 years until sensing a call to return back to the Bay Area to start Radiance. In his free time, he loves to play golf and surf, go hiking, as well as spend quality time with family. He is a die-hard Bay Area sports fan and roots faithfully for the Niners, Giants, and Warriors!
If you would like to meet up for general pastoral counsel or other life needs, please schedule a time to talk in person or over zoom with Pastor Mark.
MINISTRY APPRENTICE
Alice Ou was born and raised in the Bay Area - a true native! She became a Christian in 2016 during her first year of college, and it fundamentally changed how she perceived the world. Alice’s heart is for the Gospel to be shared with those who do not know Jesus. She also specifically has a love for children and a passion to see them thrive and begin a personal relationship with Jesus. Alice has worked as a teacher and tutor across different age groups since 2020. She started her 1-year apprenticeship at Renewal Church in September 2023 to learn about missions, discipleship, evangelism and gain experience in church ministry. Please pray for her as she leans into what God wants her to do and go where He wants her to go!
PROVISONAL ELDER BOARD
Renewal is currently governed by a provisional elder board until we ordain our own elders.
Ulysses Wang
Lead Pastor/Elder of Renewal Church
Mark Chun
Missions and Counseling Pastor at Radiance Church
Ryun Chang
Resource and Teaching Pastor of AMI
ACTS MINISTRIES INTERNATIONAL
Renewal Church is a member of AMI – a community of churches seeking to model the spirituality, vision, and partnership exemplified in the book of Acts. AMI is committed to developing disciples of Christ within our churches and spreading the gospel message to those who don’t know Christ through church planting and missions work. Learn more about AMI’s latest church plants or the missionaries abroad.