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Timothy Lin Obituary
January 18, 1911 - October 11, 2009
Pastor Emeritus of the First Chinese Baptist Church, Los Angeles, passed away peacefully at the age of 99 on Sunday, October 11, 2009.
Dr. Timothy Lin was born to a minister's family in Chekiang, China. In 1940 he came to the United States to study Hebrew and Greek at Concordia Theological Seminary and Washington University.
Dr. Lin was a member of one of the Old Testament translation committees for the New American Standard Bible. He was a professor in the graduate school of Bob Jones University, where he taught Systematic Theology, Biblical Theology, Old Testament Hebrew, Biblical Aramaic, Classic Arabic, and Peshitta Syriac. He was also a professor at Talbot Seminary, Los Angeles, and Trinity Evangelical Seminary, Chicago.
In 1962 he became pastor of the First Chinese Baptist Church of Los Angeles. When he retired as Senior Pastor a few years ago, the church had eight pastors, more than 2,200 in regular Lord's Day attendance, several mission churches with more than 300 in regular attendance. He served as the president of China Evangelical Seminary in Taiwan from 1980 to 1990.
Visitation will be held on Friday, October 23, 2009 from 6:00 - 8:00p.m., in the Rose Hills Memorial Park and Mortuary, 3888 Workman Mill Road, Whittier, CA 90601 (562)699-0921. There will be a memorial service (Celebration of Life Service) on October 24, 2009 at the First Chinese Baptist Church in Los Angeles, commencing at 12:00p.m. (213)687-0814
In Lieu of flowers, donation may be made to one of the following:
1. Dr. Lin Scholarship Fund of FCBC, LA (make it payable to FCBC)
2. Dr. Lin Scholarship Fund of CES, North America (make it payable to CESNA)
3. Dr. Lin building Fund of CES, Taiwan (make it payable to China Evangelical Seminary Association)
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Timothy Lin
Sponsored by Dr. Raymond Leung.
John Yen
March 3, 2013
It was a deep blessing and encouragement to have heard Dr. Lin at Los Angeles and at Westminister when I was in college. I remember how deep his faith and knowledge of God's Word was and how you felt God's presence working in his life.
Joshua Siu
November 3, 2009
In Memory of Rev. Dr. Timothy Lin
Before setting off for the short missionary trip to Dubai, I managed to spare some time to visit Rev. Dr. Timothy Lin in the hospital. When I arrived, his maid Aunt Wong was the only one in the room.
After I had expressed my concern for him, Rev. Timothy said, "Levites retired at the age of 50, the Lord may not need me to work anymore."
"Did you join the fund-raising lunch organized by the China Evangelical Seminary North America recently?" he continued.
"Yes," I replied.
"I heard that only some $70,000 was raised. It is way below the target. The ministry of the Seminary is difficult to accomplish……" Rev. Timothy said with great concern.
I remember Rev. Timothy always encouraged me with Philippians 1:6, and I used the same scripture to comfort him.
Besides talking about the ministry of the Seminary, my respectable Rev. Timothy also showed great care for my ministry in First Chinese Baptist Church Los Angeles and he gave me encouragement and guidance on various matters. Even when Rev. Timothy was physically weak and frail in his twilight years, he still had the Kingdom of God in mind all the time. As the antithetical couplet he received as a gift describes, "Taking the rise and fall of God’s Kingdom as my duty; counting my personal life and death as insignificant". Rev. Timothy, who was serious about the Word of God, faithful in his ministry and tender as a minister, has set a great example of a minister for me, both when I was studying in the Seminary and when I am now serving in the church. Thank and praise the Lord for the life and ministry of Rev. Dr. Timothy Lin.
Minister Joshua Siu
October 16, 2009
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Colin & Helen Lau
November 1, 2009
It was fourteen years ago we started attending FCBC-LA even though our three daughters attended this church since they were pre-schoolers. Our only regret is that we never had the opportunity to learn as much from Dr. Lin as Helen’s late mom, her sister and our daughters did. But we are grateful that we were able to hear him when he occasionally preached at the English Worship Service. Every sermon he preached was deeply rooted in the Bible, and was presented with such conviction and power. We were usually left with the feeling of being challenged. Although there were times where parts of a sermon were beyond our comprehension, we knew for certain that they were always filled with insight and cross references. It was evident that much work had gone into their preparation. His desire to study was not just gaining knowledge for himself, but for teaching, training others, and for the believers to know the Lord deeper. During these fourteen years, we learned so much about our God by seeing this dedicated servant in action. Dr. Lin was definitely a godly man and a true servant of God. As he would say, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.” (Colossians 3:23).
Although we never got to know Dr. Lin personally, whenever we came into contact, he would always greet us with his kind smile and nod his head. He would say “Hello Brother, Hello Sister” and would hold out both of his hands to shake ours. He accomplished so much in his life, much more than a lot of us combined, and yet he was always so humble and gave each person the utmost respect. We will never forget Helen’s mom sharing with us how much she always appreciated Dr. Lin’s handwritten message to her every year on her birthday. A cherished memory and a priceless treasure took place while we were waiting for our granddaughter Kylie’s dedication. Dr. Lin greeted baby Kylie with his great smile in the foyer. To our hearts’ delight, Colin took a picture of Dr. Lin and with Kylie held in Helen’s arms. Colin will always remember the warm and personable conversation he had with Dr. Lin when he visited his home with a repairman to fix the air conditioning system. It was close to noontime and he asked if they were hungry. The weather was hot and he was concerned about the repairman being dehydrated working in the heat trapped in the attic. On another occasion when a co-trustee and Colin inspected the pastorium for any general repairs, Dr. Lin insisted that he did not want any unnecessary repairs done. He did not want to waste church money.
Dr. Lin disciplined himself to work hard for the kingdom of God and his legacy in every sense is Christ-centeredness. We are left with indelible memories of his ministry and his great work. Not only will we deeply miss his presence but also will the countless lives he had touched. Thank you, Dr. Lin, for being the strong and resolute leader for our church, for your loving kindness, and for living out your convictions to our almighty Lord and Savior. We love you very much and we look forward to the day when we will meet again.
Sam & Elaine Chin
October 30, 2009
From Elaine & Sam Chin: We had very fond memories of Dr Timothy Lin. The very first day we came to FCBC, he laid a hand on our shoulders and welcomed us with a big warm smile. He always remembered to call Elaine to wish her "happy birthday" in the 1980's. Later, in the 90's Sam had the opportunity to transcribe his English sermons, and learned how very deep is Dr Lin's faith and knowledge in the Word of God, and what a spiritual giant he was! We've always admire Dr. Lin and his abilities to do so much for our Church; and we sort of understand why the Lord allowed him to live such a long and fruitful life.
In Christ and His Kingdom.
October 30, 2009
Raymond and Devonna Wong
I met Dr. Lin around 1968-69 . Dr. Lin baptized me in 1969. He was very special to me and called me "my sweet Devonna". He came to see me in my home when I was ill. In 12/70, I went to stay wtih him and Mrs. Lin for Christmas . I learned what a man of God he was . They said the Lord's prayer every morning. He said it was good to eat food slowly. He said, "God has a purpose for your illness, that He might be glorified".
I love you Dr. Lin and will see you in heaven!!! Your warmth and smile and love touched me. I have your last letter sent on your 96th BD.
In Christ,
Raymond, Devonna, Benjamin, and Timothy
keung luke
October 27, 2009
1. Sunday School
Dr. Lin’s emphasis on Sunday School (SS) led to an explosive growth in SS attendance during the 1970s. How rapid was the growth? The following SS attendance statistics were included in the SS report to the congregation at the April 11, 1976 business meeting.
Average attendance for March , 1970-1976
1976: 1094 (+157, or +16.8%)
1975: 937 (+208, or +28.5%)
1974: 729 (+40, or +5.8%)
1973: 689 (+83, or +13.7%)
1972: 606 (+90, or +17.4%)
1971: 516 (+67, or +14.9%)
1970: 449
The SS attendance more than doubled in the five years from 1971 to 1976, breaking the 1000 mark in 1976. Even with the Arab Oil Embargo of 1973-74, the attendance still increased. With the end of the Oil Embargo, the attendance shot up by almost 30% in 1975.
2. Auto accident on Golden State Freeway
Around 1965 or 1996 I was driving Gracie Lin and Dr. Lin back to church from a church function, maybe a church picnic. A car cut into my lane abruptly and struck the right front side of my car, pushing it from my lane across three lanes to the fast lane. Dr. Lin cried out at the back “Lord, save us!” The Lord answered his prayer and no car collided into us! We arrived back safely at church.
3. God’s presence
Dr. Lin told us the following story at his first meeting with the Board of Trustees of China Evangelical Seminary.
A member of the Board asked him what plan he had for CES. He said his only plan was to do everything in his power to have God’s presence with the seminary. What a clear vision he had!
4. 1 Tim 5:20
Dr. Lin once explained to me (verse above) why he sometimes scolded a brother or sister publicly. He was so faithful in doing what the Bible teaches.
5. Dr. Lin’s way
When I was VBS principal in the 1960s, he once told me that he must obey me in VBS matters because I was the head of VBS. He believed in an orderly way of doing things in a church. What a lesson he taught me by this example!
6. Dr. Lin’s dream
While he lived in Shanghai, he saw people queuing up in front of theaters to see movies. His dream was to see Christians queuing up to enter the sanctuary to worship God. His dream was fulfilled when FCBCLA switched to two services and worshippers queued up to attend the second service.
7. Fountain Valley
Over the years, Dr. Lin preached many times at our church, never accepting any honorarium. We always looked forward to his monthly preaching visit to our church. More than once, he exhorted brothers and sisters to be on time for the worship service, explaining that is part of godliness. He pointed out that for him to be at our 9 AM worship service, he had to get up at 6:30 AM. In his more recent preaching visits to our church, he had difficulty with his legs, but he insisted on standing up, declining to sit on a high stool . Instead he held on to the pulpit with his right hand for support. In his last preaching visit to us in June 2009, Mrs. Wong, his caregiver, asked us to bring a sofa on the stage so he could sit down while he preached. That was the one and only time he sat down while delivering a message at our worship service.
8. Dr. Lin the gracious host
For a few months in the 1966, Gracie and Dr. Lin had a few of us over for dinner every Friday night at their home on Rampart Street. Afterward he had bible study with three seekers – James Joe, Richard Lum and Philip Wu. He led all three to Christ.
Last year (2008) Sam and Jean Leong and I visited Dr. Lin at his home. He insisted on taking us out to have dim sums. He was so disappointed that we declined.
9. Dr. Lin the caregiver
Dr. Lin had a big heart! Two years ago he heard that I just got out of the hospital and offered to come to Long Beach to visit me. Another time he suggested to his caregiver, Mrs. Wong, to take of me after the Lord takes him home. These are just two of countless anecdotes of his love for his flock, in words and in deeds. He even used his own physical trials to encourage us. He said quietly: “We must believe.”
Gary Ruff
October 27, 2009
My name is Pastor Gary Ruff and have the privelege of having Dr.Raymond Leung and his wonderful family in our congregation. I did not know Dr Lin personally but have been able to experience the fruit of his ministry through the Leung family. The bible tells us to go fourth and bear fruit, and that, that fruit might abide for ever. The Leung family are an example of that abiding fruit. I am confident that when Dr Lin closed his eyes here on earth he was standing in front of our Savior once and for all. My the Lord richly reward him for his unfailing service here on earth. I can only hope to be half the minister he was He is in the presence of our everlasting Lord Jesus Christ and given an in-corruptible body that will never fade away. We will all see him one day again. But not yet!
Pastor
Gary Ruff
Calvary Chapel
October 25, 2009
I was blessed to have attend FCBC when Dr. Lin first started as interim Pastor at the church and then became our pastor. Dr. Lin impacted my life greatly with His godly preaching and teaching. He was always on time and I remember on Wednesday prayer meeting people were late in coming into the sanctuary. Dr. Lin sat at the piano and started to play a hymn. He did not scold or rebuke, rather he gave an example and a reminder to all of us. From that time we all were on time. He always taught by example. He was strict but loving and consistent. I was widowed then. Dr. Lin always showed love, care and concern for my daughter and myself. I thank the Lord for such a godly man who was a example of a true servant of God. Many things I do at our church in ministry, are things I learned from this wise, godly man.
Florence Yip (Sacramento, CA)
Raymond Leung
October 24, 2009
I was fortunately able to see Dr. Lin the day before he died. He was mentally alert and was aware who I was. I sang a song with 2 other sisters from church. Normally I don't sing but for Dr. Lin I would've done anything for him gladly. I reminder him that I treasured the little goose lamp he gave me when I was 10 years old. He made a surprise visit to my home on Casanova Street. I lived in a basement of a house. I was poor and could not afford very much. He did not know that because of the lamp I was able to study and I became a vascular surgeon. I was honor to have Dr. Lin write a letter of recommendation for me to Medical School. His letter must had an great impact because I got accepted at UC San Francisco medical school. Thank you Dr. Lin for being the man of God that you're and an example to all of us at FCBC. I particular remember one of Dr. Lin's preaching on the clay and the potter. I wanted to be the vessel created for honor use. Dr. Lin used the example of dishonor use in the Chinese community-a spit bowl. I pray and dedicate my life to God for hornor service after hearing that message. I hope to see you again Dr. Lin and also wish that God would consider me a good and faithful servant. Thank you Dr. Lin for showing the way...
Polly Chan
October 22, 2009
I did not have too many chances to talk to Dr. Lin but he called me up on one of my birthdays. I'll remember this Godly man.
Daniel Cheng
October 22, 2009
I've a baseball personally signed by Dr. Timothy Lin - it is to remind myself of his amazing legacy. A godly man who didn't play any ball (sports), but the "Bible". I'll miss him a great deal and I'll continue to remember his teachings and his dedication to the Lord.
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