Congregation Profiles
Jiake Chen at his 8th Grade Graduation
When Jiake heard Harry speak and joke around the AR Thanksgiving dinner in 2000, he determined to press his family to come again, if for nothing else, at least to hear Harry. Since then, this family of four: Hua Chen, Wei Lin, Jiake and Annie has made AR home. A friend told the about this special dinner and invited them along. But their long journey from Shanghai in China to Minnesota started way back in 1994 when Hua was offered a Visiting Associate Professor position at the University of Minnesota in the department of Design, Housing and Apparel. A graduate of East China Normal University with an Arts Degree in Chinese Language and Literature, Hua taught art history and Chinese language in China. He has also written award-winning essays on Chinese art. His wife Wei Lin and son Jiake followed him to Minnesota in late 1994. Annie was born in the US in 1995. Before coming to AR, the Chen family wandered around to several places in search of a place to call home among Christians. They also tried the Chinese Cultural center.
Hua grew up in China and was among many young people that are now called “The Sent-Down-Youth-Generation” during the Chinese Cultural Revolution in late 1960s. This means that he, like many others youth, had to move out of school from the city to go and live in the rural areas to do hard farming work in order to “re-educated” by peasants. Hua spent eight years in the countryside.
Jiake is entering South High after graduating from Marcy Open School with honors. Annie’s drawing “space travel”was published in the Star Tribune and shown to the congregation on May 5, 2003. This special art work will display at upcoming exhibit at the Minnesota History Center that will open January 17, 2004 and will be in place for about five years. Annie will start second grade this fall. Jiake and Annie have graced AR worship services with music on the piano. They are wonderful and talented kids. And AR Church appreciates their music.
Meanwhile, Wei Lin while here has completed an accounting degree besides her degree in Library Sciences obtained in China. This fall she starts on her Masters in Management Information Systems. Hua completed his term as visiting associate professor and now works to keep his family, particularly the kids in school. The Chen family, not simply because they are an international family, but as part of the AR community as well have a story that will enrich you and challenge you as a Christian. We therefore encourage you to acquaint yourself with them. AR feels privileged to have them with us.
Annie Chen is an award-winning pianist.
