Gary Chan

Born in San Francisco and raised in Hong Kong, Gary’s story with Island ECC began as a 15-year-old in 2003, when his guitar tutor invited him to a service. He was immediately captivated by the church's worshipful atmosphere, and Sundays quickly became the highlight of his week. After earning a Psychology degree from UC Riverside, he began a career as a session musician and behavioral therapist, but his path was redirected after a local Next-Gen conference where Matthew 16:26 captured his heart: "What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?"

Answering that call, Gary joined the staff in 2015 as a Children’s Ministry Coordinator, helping to launch Kids Club FX and Kids Worship Club while earning his Master of Divinity from Fuller Theological Seminary. Through this work, he saw the need for a dedicated space for preteens navigating the pivotal years between childhood and adolescence. This vision led him to launch the ELEVATE ministry in 2022 for students in Grades 5-6.

Island ECC is also the heart of Gary's family story. He and his wife, Eunice, were married at the church in 2016 and are now raising their three lovely daughters: Hope, Faith, and Love. In his free time, Gary enjoys creating music in his studio and travelling to explore new cultures with his family.